Full Description
Football is the world's most popular sport. It is a cultural phenomenon and a global media spectacle. For its billions of fans, it serves as a common language. But where does its enduring popularity come from? Featuring essays from prominent experts in the field, scholars and journalists, this Companion covers ground seldom attempted in a single volume about football. It examines the game's oft-disputed roots and traces its development through Europe, South America and Africa, analysing whether resistance to the game is finally beginning to erode in China, India and the United States. It dissects the cult of the manager and how David Beckham redefined sporting celebrity. It investigates the game's followers, reporters and writers, as well as its most zealous money makers and powerful administrators. A valuable resource for students, scholars and general readers, The Cambridge Companion to Football is a true and faithful companion for anyone fascinated by the people's game.
Contents
List of contributors; List of figures and tables; Chronology; Foreword Sir Michael Parkinson; Introduction Alan Tomlinson; Part I. Foundations: 1. Kicking off: the origins of association football Dave Russell; The game-changers: Billy Meredith Huw Richards; 2. Uruguay: the first world power Chris Taylor; The game-changers: Henri Delaunay Huw Richards; 3. Austria and Hungary: the Danubian School Huw Richards; The game-changers: Alfredo Di Stéfano Rob Steen; 4. Italy: football as politics - Mussolini to Berlusconi Paddy Agnew; The game-changers: Pelé Huw Richards; 5. Brazil: rhythm and grooves Jim White; The game-changers: Diego Maradona Huw Richards; 6. Africa: towards global football citizenship? Paul Darby; The game-changers: Eusébio Rob Steen; Part II. Development: 7. Money, money, money: the English Premier League Peter Berlin; The game-changers: Didier Drogba Jed Novick; 8. The boss: a very British convention Colin Shindler; The game-changers: Sir Alex Ferguson Will Tidey; 9. David Beckham and the celebrity phenomenon Jed Novick; The game-changers: George Best Rob Steen; 10. Football and feminism Jean Williams; The game-changers: Mia Hamm Huw Richards; 11. Fans: consumers, hooligans and activists John Williams; The game-changers: Franz Beckenbauer Rob Steen; 12. Sheepskin coats and nannygoats: the view from the press box Rob Steen; The game-changers: Havelange, Blatter and Platini - the ruling class Rob Steen and John Vale; 13. Brought to book: football and literature Peter Stead; The game-changers: Johan Cruyff Jon Vale; Part III. Where We Are: 14. What took you so long? Spain conquers the world Huw Richards; The game-changers: José Mourinho Jed Novick; 15. Where next? Football's new frontiers Toby Miller; The game-changers: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Jed Novick; Further reading; Index.
