This work by the award-winning sports historian goes beyond scores and results to present a unique view of Britain’s sporting past.

This involves looking at the dark side of sport, the use of alcohol as a performance enhancing drug, the violence of football hooligans before the First World War, the tribulations of weight-watching jockeys, and the employment of children as young a seven as golf caddies.

The pioneering role of women in golf is highlighted – as a sport in which they have often been considered subordinate to men. The author also highlights the courage shown by amateur jump jockeys in piloting their mounts over fences and hurdles.

He examines of the organisation of hunting, shooting and fishing – all sports which flourished in the nineteenth century despite apparently having no rules.

The myth of the early control that the Jockey Club exerted over horseracing is exposed. And the nationality problems associated with team selection for the Ryder Cup are discussed. Other chapters offer critiques of approaches taken to researching sports history, the application of the concept of modernisation to sport, and the development of sports museums in the burgeoning sports heritage industry.