Someone has removed that debate about Football/rugby league etc. Bastards! I hadn't read the replies yet. Anyway, boxing is a top sport. It's a great way for working class people to meet each other and overcome so-called differences in race etc.
The only way boxing can be improved is by sending Trots into the ring with members of the working class. That way, you can punch a Trot senseless without knowing the grassing bastard will tell the plods and get you arrested. Great stuff. If you want to bash a Trot anyway, just hit one as they come out of the students union bar and tell everyone the bastard tried to minesweep your ale. Go on! We've all been there and no-one would notice as they're ugly gits anyway.

The above comment rather shows how sports ostensibly for the 'wrorking class' are used to threaten and undermine political radicalism. (i tip my hat uniquely to muhammed ali for his brave stand against the vietnam war).
Anyway, to return to the vexed question of team sports, i recall a phrase from Vance Packard:
"Moulding Team Players for Free Enterprise"
which was a chapter in his book "The Hidden Persuaders" (1957) which set out to describe and analyse how advertising techiniques would be used for not only "Persuading us as consumers" but "Persuading us as CITIZENS" too. (this book was approved by Marcuse, if you need more convincing).
If a so-called radical movement cannot make a stand against all forms of collectivist manipulation (such as football), then its had it, ultimately. I personally am not English, and i note that every time the Cup comes round, there's an increase in the verbal jostling i receive (OOs side yer on then ?). Moreover, this time round, im sorry to say it feels deeper and more sinister. Im very wary of people who as a nation are not oppressed (*), but who in the last five years have suddenly rediscovered the crusaders symbols of mediaevalism to flutter on every available part of their white vans.


(*)English people are Economically exploited certainly, but NOT oppressed as a nation

The game is the thing. There is something marvellous about the human body in full flow whether it's the Tour de France or a kids kickabout on a Saturday morning. If you can't see that, you're a one dimensional anorak. As for flags etc, it's bollocks. Sports are great. Sitting in meetings naval gazing with a bunch of middle class Trots isn't. By the way, Halifax 16, Widnes 25. Absolutely great afternoon. No crowd trouble, no union jacks, no racist chants. Top class game of RL footie. And 100% working class crowd.

Patriotism causes war. Panem et circensis. But to actually go out and PLAY soccer(I'm American) or any other sport, with or without teammates, is a validation of our birth in human bodies. The anciant Greeks knew that a healthy body contributed to a healthy mind and so to a healthy nation. It's sitting around on your sofa watching the telly that plays into the hands of the MAN.Though I would certainly accept a pint from our friend who scored @ the racetrack.

Football has no relevance to the "radical movement?"..then the "radical movement" has no relevance to the working-class.LONG LIVE FOOTBALL! LONG LIVE THE WORKING-CLASS! Down with the middle-class! Down with the "radical movement"!