ABSTRACT
The possible links between sport and ‘race’ continue to be the subject of heated public discussion and debate. Media images of a disproportionate number of elite black athletes are prevalent and it does not seem unreasonable to question why this should be (cf. Gladwell 1997; Price 1997). Yet this area of research is far from straightforward and, as I argue in this chapter, often characterized by superficiality and over-simplification. At their worst the arguments concerning biology, ‘race’ and sports performance are often illogical and unscientific. What is unmistakable, however, is the popular impact that such discussions have on sports folklore in Britain. Partly as a result of the high media profile that men’s soccer and cricket enjoy,
comments that have been made by certain prominent figures from elite professional clubs have attracted a considerable amount of interest and scrutiny. For instance, speaking of black footballers, different managers and club ‘chairmen’ have variously observed: ‘I think you’re a coward. All you people are’ (cited in Cashmore 1982: 193); ‘I don’t think too many can read the game . . . You get an awful lot, great pace, great athletes, love to play with the ball in front of them . . . when it’s behind them it’s chaos’ (cited in Hill 1991: viii); ‘When you’re getting into midwinter in England you need . . . the hard white man to carry the artistic black players through’ (cited in Wilson 1991: 41); ‘The reason the agents chose you black kids is because you are all naive . . . Where was your agent when we dragged you black kids off the streets?’ (cited in Silver 1995: 59). Of South Asian cricketers, First Class County officials are reported to have
remarked: ‘Typical Paki (sic), never get their heads down’1 (cited in White 1990: 29); ‘If [they] had less children like the whites then they would be able to afford cricket equipment and lessons’ (cited on Yorkshire Television 1990). Some of these attracted disapproval at the time of their publication or broad-
cast; and that, in itself, is a cause for some optimism. In a climate in which concerns have been expressed that so-called ‘political correctness’ may have gone too far2, discussions about ‘race’ are of particular sensitivity. John Hoberman (1992) has suggested that in predominantly mono-cultural societies, there is a greater willingness to discuss these matters openly. Yet even in a
multi-cultural society like Britain the opportunity for constructive and interesting debate can exist.3 The citations listed above from significant individuals in the administration, management and coaching of sport also demonstrate the willingness of some to ‘put their heads above the parapet’ and risk reproach.4
