ABSTRACT
Data from this research was collected using semi-structured interviews with 60 footballers across three football teams based in the South of England. The most important data, and central to this book, is the in-depth interviews undertaken with young men who belonged to the academies of two Premier League football clubs, Academy 1 FC and Academy 2 FC. While the men from Academy 1 and Academy 2 exist within a neartotal institution, this is not the case with all footballing environments. In order to compare attitudes between men inside football academies who play competitive, yet not professional football, this research also included the players of a widening participation1 university football team: University FC. These men combine their studies by representing their university in a semi-professional football league. Football was an extremely important component to each of the men interviewed for this research. Two of these groups are attempting to develop a playing career in the professional game and, failing that, are able to use the qualifications gained within the academy setting to potentially establish an alternative method of employment within the game. Similarly, although the members of University FC are unlikely to matriculate to the professional level of football, the degree qualifications they are in the process of achieving enhances their opportunity for employment in professional sport upon completion. It is also important to note that the vast majority of the players interviewed for this research identified as working-class. Accordingly, this research differs from contemporary football research focusing on attitudes toward homosexuality and masculinity which has been undertaken with middle-class participants (see Adams, 2011; Adams & Anderson, 2012; Anderson, 2011b). A more detailed analysis of each research site is now provided, and an overall list of participants is outlined in Appendix 1.
