Podcast: The Industrial Roots of English Football

My guest is David Proudlove, whose new book Work and Play: The Industrial Roots of English Football looks at the relationship between the workplace and English football. How pivotal were factories in the foundation and maintenance of clubs within communities and how did that relationship get lost over time? 

In this podcast, we cover:

Roots of the game: We explore the origins of English football through the lens of industrial and working-class communities, focusing on both major clubs and smaller, semi-professional clubs.

Industrial relations: We discuss the influence of industrialists in shaping football, who supported teams to improve the health, wellbeing, and social bonds of their workers, which they saw as beneficial for business. David highlights the key role of the 1850 Factory Act in football’s expansion, as it introduced a half-day on Saturdays, allowing workers time for recreation, which fuelled the popularity of the sport.

The professional era: We look at how the growth of professionalism in football changed the dynamics between industry and the game, with industrialists offering employment to players in exchange for their football skills.

Sector focus: We trace the links between football and various industries, such as railways, shipyards, and collieries, with clubs like Vauxhall Motors and Cammell Laird having direct roots in industrial plants.

Women and the workplace: We also explore the history of women’s football, particularly during World War I, with stories like the Dick, Kerr Ladies and Colville Munitions Girls, who challenged gender barriers in the sport.

Broken ties: We examine the decline of direct ties between industry and football, particularly in the professional game, though industrial sponsorship and support persisted in lower leagues for longer.

Historical highs: We reflect on some unique historical anecdotes, like West Auckland’s victory in early international club football and the relationship between Bedlington Terriers and an American billionaire.

Heraldry: We acknowledge that some clubs still retain symbols of their industrial heritage in their crests, with teams like West Ham and Arsenal keeping hammers and cannons as part of their identity.

Football for good: We promote the idea of football as a positive force in communities, suggesting that grassroots clubs can serve as a vehicle for self-help and social improvement, especially in economically deprived areas.

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The podcast is sponsored by Pibe de Barrio, the on-the-ground football experts in Buenos Aires, helping you live the Argentine matchday experience.