The Slum Sport: The Pivotal 1985/86 English First Division with Chris Lepkowski

2025-11-16

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My guest is Chris Lepkowski, whose new book, The Slum Sport, tells the story of the difficult post-Heysel, post-Bradford fire season, when English football was at its lowest ebb and hooliganism was rife. Chris argues that the 1985/86 season was, in many ways, a turning point that led ultimately to the creation of the Premier League in 1992. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky, Instagram, and X Check out Chris Lee's three books...

My guest is Chris Lepkowski, whose new book, The Slum Sport, tells the story of the difficult post-Heysel, post-Bradford fire season, when English football was at its lowest ebb and hooliganism was rife. Chris argues that the 1985/86 season was, in many ways, a turning point that led ultimately to the creation of the Premier League in 1992.

Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history.

Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky, Instagram, and X

Check out Chris Lee's three books:

· Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World

· The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism

· Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

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