The Emergence of Footballing Cultures Manchester, 1840–1919

This study of Manchester football during the period 1840 to 1919, by leading sports historian Gary James, contextualises the sport’s emergence, development and establishment through to its position as the city’s leading team sport, and identifies the communities who developed football.

‘The emergence of football cultures is a major contribution to the early history of association football in Manchester and across Britain. Forensically researched and brimming with detail about the Victorian pioneers who made the game, it deserves to be read by all those interested in football, the city of Manchester, and how mass spectator sport changed the urban way of life in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.’

Professor Tony Collins, De Montfort University

‘As a proud member of Manchester’s footballing community who has recently completed my own academic research, I value detailed analysis and interpretation of football. Gary James’ latest work uncovers the facts and stories of Manchester’s early footballing history and explains how football became a significant aspect of Mancunian life. He traces the pioneering clubs that paved the way for Manchester’s first trophy successes and explains, in a clear and engaging manner, how the sport took hold. Packed with information, evidence and entertaining stories, this book is a must for those interested in both Manchester and football.’

Vincent Kompany, Master of Business Administration and Manchester City captain

‘Gary James’ latest work on Manchester football is an essential study into the origins of the game and its development through to 1919, by which time the sport was crucial to Manchester society. As someone who cares passionately about providing educational opportunities that matter, I thoroughly recommend Gary’s book. It explains why football became Manchester’s number one passion and provides detail and evidence on how the modern day giants of United and City became established. This is a valuable work.’

Gary Neville, former Manchester United and England international and founder of University Academy 92

This study of Manchester football by leading football historian Gary James considers the sport’s emergence, development and establishment through to its position as the city’s leading team sport. The period from 1840 to 1919 saw football in Manchester develop from an inconsequential, occasionally outlawed activity into a major business with a variety of popular football clubs and supporting industry.

This book makes a distinct and original contribution to the historiography of sport. It is the first academic study into the development of association football in Manchester, and is directly linked to the current state of knowledge and debates within sports history on football’s origins. It adds regional focus to inform the wider debate, contextualising the growth of the sport in the city, and identifies communities who propagated and developed football. Robust research should ensure that this becomes the benchmark study of regional football.