Very interesting read as always . I wonder why Sheffield in particular was such a hotbed for “ soccer “ when most other large cities seemed to embrace a rugby style version of football ?
Good question. I think the level of violence allowed in the competing codes was a big factor in the game's development. Football became a popular working-class sport in Sheffield earlier than in many other districts, and working-class players risked financial hardship if they were seriously injured (unlike their upper-class counterparts). This is a subject I'll be exploring on Saturday.
Very interesting read as always . I wonder why Sheffield in particular was such a hotbed for “ soccer “ when most other large cities seemed to embrace a rugby style version of football ?
Good question. I think the level of violence allowed in the competing codes was a big factor in the game's development. Football became a popular working-class sport in Sheffield earlier than in many other districts, and working-class players risked financial hardship if they were seriously injured (unlike their upper-class counterparts). This is a subject I'll be exploring on Saturday.