Boot money- and the end of 'shamateurism' in English Football
Jeff Brooks has a new book which documents the days when 'amateur' didn't necessarily mean what it implied
The period of amateur football can often be viewed through a sepia-tinted haze- but a new book from renowned Tooting & Mitcham United writer Jeff Brooks applies a great deal of colour to a story which isn't as black and white as it may first appear.
‘Boot Money- and the end of ’shamateurism' in English Football' revisits the history of English Non League Football right up until players became ‘semi-professional’ in 1974. It looks in depth at what it meant to be an amateur footballer- and indeed to be an amateur football club- documenting the trials and tribulations as the FA tried, occasionally, to clamp down on ‘shamateurism’ and particularly the concept of boot money, whilst also regularly looking the other way whilst clubs paid ‘expenses’ which were incredibly important to those who received them.
This is very much a social as well as footballing history, and number of our Isthmian and former Isthmian clubs feature prominently- particularly, as you might expect, Tooting and Mitcham United- but also Corinthian-Casuals, Sutton United and many more. There are many famous names included, too, such as former Manchester United keeper Alex Stepney- and a great deal of meticulous research has gone into telling the tale.
The book is available directly from Jeff for the sum of just ten pounds, and you can contact him here- [email protected]- for more details.
