Man-Made Wonders Ofthe World

Modern sports and games are widely regarded as Britain's gift to the world. In the late 19th century British expatriates revived football throughout continental Europe and introduced the game in the Americas, while British Army garrisons introduced cricket and football wherever the map was pink. As Money argues, this revival and export of team games was a consequence of the stable political and economic circumstances in upper-class Britain during the period, and also of the enthusiasm of boys at English public schools. While on the continent political and religious upheaval spelled the end of games, these English public schoolboys, in their ample leisure time, played cricket, football and fives, and rowed. Later, in university and the wider world, they spread the cult of games wherever they went.