Moving the Goalposts: A History of Sport and Society in Britain Since 1945

Sport enjoys huge popularity throughout the world and is of considerable social importance. Moving the Goalposts provides a comprehensive survey of sport in Britain since 1945 and examines its place in British culture. Addressing the subject thematically, Martin Polley argues that sport is not neutral, asocial or apolitical and so it needs to be assessed in its widest cultural context to be understood.
In this new edition Polley expands the range of sports covered. As well as the more traditional sports such as football, rugby, cricket, tennis, he also introduces participation sports, such as cycling and swimming; spectator sports, such as motor racing and greyhound racing; and newer sports, such as skateboarding, extreme sports, and aerobics. In addition to a completely new chapter on sport and the media, themes covered include:


celebrity culture recreational and performance enhancing drug use deviance and crime disability sport regional differences and multiple identities fashion commerce sport as a post-industrial industry.
Including a new chronology and an updated introduction and conclusion, this is the perfect companion for any student of sports history.