Football, Community and Sustainability

A lack of 'sustainability thinking' can be seen at the heart of many of the problems that football faces today, from the market-centred ideology, speculation and debt to the disenchantment experienced by football fans. Compiled by an international collaboration between an interdisciplinary network of academics and football industry practitioners, this book provides an insight into contemporary football. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sport & Society.

Chris Porter is based at the Centre for the Study of Football and its Communities, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. His research explores the links between football fans, class-consciousness, neoliberal ideology and globalisation. Anthony May is based at the School of Marketing and Management, Coventry University, UK. His research explores the relationship of sport with a range of social and political issues, including austerity, sustainability, political campaigning, as well as with other forms of culture. Annabel Kiernan is based at the Centre for the Study of Football and its Communities, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her research interests cover public sector reform and the role of football in local service delivery and community identity.

Introduction: 'Thinking long and wide': which communities have a future within the global game? 1. One rule for one: the impact of Champions League prize money and Financial Fair Play at the bottom of the European club game 2. Chao Amigos! Hello Thailand: football, migration and sustainability in Thailand 3. Football clubs as symbols of regional identities 4. Football and community empowerment: how FC Sankt Pauli fans organize to influence 5. Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls: anatomy of an alternative sports club 6. Ten years of Supporters Trust ownership at Exeter City AFC: an overview 7. Fighting strategic homophobia in football 8. Sustaining health improvement activities delivered in English professional football clubs using evaluation: a short communication 9. Football and its communities: the celebration of Manchester United FC's Ability Suite