Traditional British Sport

Here you will find grouped together articles and features about British sport, and stars of British sport.

Association Football, aka Soccer
As that well known footballing legend Bill Shankly so eloquently put it …’some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.’

The Calcutta Cup
The history of the Calcutta Cup, presented annually to the winners of England v Scotland in Rugby Union.

Cricket
The sweet sound of leather on willow A warm summers day, a picturesque village green, the sound of leather on willow, a polite ripple of applause …

Fox Hunting in Britain
Whatever your views on the sport (and there are clearly many), its affect on popular culture is undeniable. For instance the Parliamentary name “Chief Whip” …

Golf
During the 15th century, Scotland prepared to defend itself, yet again, against an invasion by the ‘Auld Enemy’. The nation’s enthusiastic pursuit of golf however, led many to neglect their military training, so much so that …

Polo
Polo is perhaps the oldest team sport; the first recorded tournament was in 600 B.C. between the Turkomans and the Persians (the Turkomans were victorious). The first game in Britain of “hockey on horseback” was organised on Hounslow Heath in 1869 …

Royal Ascot
Probably the most well-known British racecourse, Ascot can be found in the small town of the same name in Berkshire, England. It celebrated its 300th anniversary on 11th August 2011.

Rugby Football
“A game played by gentlemen with odd shaped balls” Anon.

Wimbledon
Ah, Wiimbledon….the sound of tennis balls on racquets, strawberries and cream, the great British summer weather, Henman (or Murray?) Hill….celebrate 125 years of this famous tennis tournament….

C.B. Fry
This amazing man played rugby for the Barbarians, football for England, captained the English cricket team, equalled the world long jump record – and was offered the throne of Albania.

William Marshal, a Knight’s Tale
Thought of as the David Beckham of his day, this is the story of how the fourth son of a minor 12th century baron rose to be one of the richest men in the country and Regent of England, a true knight’s tale!

Max Woosnam
This sporting polymath played soccer for Manchester City and England, won Olympic Gold at tennis, was a Wimbledon Champion, fought with distinction in the First World War….and beat film star Charlie Chaplin at table tennis, playing with a butter knife!

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Tudor Sports

By Ben Johnson

The Tudors were sporting fanatics, from football matches involving hundreds of people, to the more sedate game of bowls...

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