This book presents a fresh perspective on football fandom in England going beyond existing
debates surrounding the structural transformations English football has seen in recent decades
to consider the contested cultural ground upon which football fandom exists. Supporter
Ownership in English Football connects cultural conflict experienced across society associated
with negotiating structural changes such as globalisation commodification and social exclusion
with supporter ownership in football ¿ which is in itself an expression and reflection of
broader social and political shifts in class-consciousness. Discourses of identity
authenticity loyalty ownership and above all the possibilities and limitations for ordinary
people to influence change play a decisive role in how fans come to decide whether they could
or should have a meaningful say in the future of their club and the game itself. While
celebrating the achievements progress and potential of the supporter ownership movement the
book is also careful to take account of the various setbacks contradictions and limiting
tendencies that continue to shape its developmental trajectory. Porter¿s relation of football
supporter ownership to the political and social class dynamics of contemporary society will be
of interest to scholars of sport studies sociology cultural studies and politics and those
interested in social movements consumerism identity authenticity and community.
