The father of modern sport - Keith Booth

The story of late nineteenth century sport reflects that of nineteenth century society as Disraeli's "two nations" manifested themselves, not only in Capital v Labour, but in Gentlemen v Players, South v North and the Corinthian Ethic v Professionalism. One man had a foot in both camps and bestrode this narrow world like a colossus. Charles Alcock, Sunderland-born and Harrow-educated, enjoyed a sporting career which included cricket at Lord's and captaining Cup-winning and international football teams. He was a prolific journalist, editor and publisher and successfully combined those activities with his two day jobs, Secretary of the Football Association and simultaneously of Surrey County Cricket Club, drawing on his multiple experiences and fusing conflicting traditions and interests. He was involved in the beginnings of the FA Cup and the County Championship and his Kennington Oval became a national sports centre hosting international cricket, association and rugby football. It was also a venue for lacrosse, baseball, athletics, cycling, lawn tennis and - briefly - roller-skating.;The League and Cup competitions which the world of sport takes for granted today owe much to his foresight. He saw a future in organised professional and international sport and converted the haphazard and disorganised pastimes of Victorian England into what has since become a multi-billion pound global industry. Alcock was a man of his time, born and educated into a system of values which was often a thin veil, hiding hypocrisy and deceit, but also a man who was able to see beyond his time and combine attention to detail with a breadth of vision that was to transform the sporting world. A hundred years on from the publication of Alcock's own book, 'Surrey Cricket: - its History and Associations' is an appropriate time to put his life and work in their historical context and recognise his legacy to modern sport.