Religion and the Rise of Sport in England

Hugh McLeod’s Religion and the Rise of Sport in England tracks the evolving relationship between religion and sport from the late 18^th to the early 21^st century. In plotting this dynamic, McLeod demonstrates how, at particular points, the two could be in competition or in harmony with one another. In order to articulate this paradox, McLeod’s book is organized around four distinct phases, which each correspond to decisive moments in the establishment of modern sport in England (3-9). Organized chronologically, the monograph prioritizes developments that illuminate the evolving relationship between religion and sport. At times this is done through close inspection of particular sports, such as horse racing and its connection to gambling. By doing so, McLeod demonstrates how there was no single relationship between religion and sport; instead, it was consistently in flux, influenced by events, trends, and times.

In order to establish this, McLeod employs a variety of sources. Primarily, he uses church records, both from Anglican and Nonconformist churches. This is supplemented by archival material from relevant organizations, such as the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Sunday School Union. McLeod also makes use of newspapers and other print media, drawing on both national papers and those specifically dedicated to sport (15). By approaching the topic through records produced by the institutions he explores and more general sources such as national newspapers, McLeod discerns not only what the institutions themselves were prioritizing, but also how the connection between sport and religion was being presented to the general public.

Religion and sport are united in part by their mutual influence and prestige in society. As McLeod writes, “both religion and sport can exercise power in society through the moral authority they are believed to carry, through the prestige of ‘star’ athletes or ‘pulpit princes,’ through their influence in politics or the media, and of course because of the passionate attachment of large numbers of individuals” (1). With both institutions holding such weight, a comprehensive study such as this is necessary to understand the ways in which England evolved during this period. The book also details how religion and sport can function as the basis for loyalties and identities in English society (1). While similar arguments have been made by sports historians of other geographic areas, such as Ireland and the United States, comparable attention has not previously been given to religion and sport in England, a testament to McLeod’s integral contribution.  

Though titled Religion and the Rise of Sport in England,  McLeod is working within relatively tight parameters, particularly with regard to religion, with the majority of the monograph focusing on Christianity. McLeod acknowledges this, although it is worth mentioning that non-Christian faiths, notably Judaism and Islam, are awarded some attention, particularly later in the book. Though McLeod’s reasoning for prioritizing Christian denominations is well-argued, the lack of engagement with other traditions presents a vein of inquiry that perhaps future scholars could pursue.

McLeod weaves other notable topics into his narrative, such as “muscular Christianity” and “religion as sport.” Both examples provide McLeod the occasion to evaluate how the dynamic between religion and sport was fluid. “Muscular Christianity” largely derived from mid-19^th century fears for the nation’s health, and McLeod’s inclusion of this topic indexes the discussion to something that may be more familiar to readers. The same can be said of “religion as sport.” Thus, McLeod inserts his arguments into well-established trends, lending credibility to his claims.

While the book prioritizes examining the link between religion and sport, McLeod contends in his conclusion that religion has not fostered the greatest divisions in English sport, nor has politics, often intertwined with religion in English history. Instead, gender and class were, and continue to be, more divisive factors (247). Though a valid observation, gender and class cannot be wholly divorced from religion.

McLeod concludes his monograph by reflecting on the current relationship between religion and sport in England, asserting that while the two may not be in conflict, they are often in competition. Over the course of the book, the author manages to weave together a sweeping narrative that spans more than two centuries. By incorporating a variety of sources and drawing on existing trends within both sport and religious historiographies, he is able to craft a compelling monograph that makes a necessary contribution to the field.

Ashley M. Morin is a doctoral candidate in the history department at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Ashley Morin

Date Of Review:

September 29, 2023