'Enterprise with vengeance': Parties, performances, excursions, and the development of early Scottish football, 1865-1902

McDowell, M. (2012) 'Enterprise with vengeance': Parties, performances, excursions, and the development of early Scottish football, 1865-1902. Recorde: Revista de História do Esporte, 5(1), pp. 1-39.

Abstract

This article discusses the formative years of organised Scottish football through the examination of the social gatherings, musical and dramatic concerts, and holiday excursions of early football clubs and associations. The development of early football was heavily linked to fraternalism, both on and off the pitch, often in public houses and hotels. The game was furthermore connected to the culture of the street, and footballers sought inspiration from music hall and its performers for their own musical and dramatic programmes. Football clubs’ tours of the Scottish countryside and England, meanwhile, were also related to ideas of conviviality and friendship. As over-socialisation was often blamed for poor performances on the field, however, and as professionalism continued its onward march, the press discourse helped to mould and critique a social scene that often had little to do with rational recreation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McDowell, Dr Matthew
• Authors: McDowell, M.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Journal Name: Recorde: Revista de História do Esporte