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‘The whole week comes down to the team sheet’: a footballer’s view of insecure work

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Roderick

    (Durham University, UK)

  • James Schumacker

    (Retired Professional Footballer)

Abstract

This ‘On the front line’ article focuses on the work and employment situation for an insecure, individualized sports worker whose main job task is fundamentally and publically collaborative. The narrative offers a realistic and nuanced understanding of the material conditions of work for a journeyman footballer and defies sociological ideas associated with attachment and identification to work, which are frequently and implicitly connected to this profession. So while physical and skilful dimensions are commonly foregrounded, the testimony of (now retired) professional footballer James Schumacker lays bare not only the uncertainties and instability of this job, but also specifically the constant tension between securing fixed-term employment and being selected for first team games: making the ‘team sheet’.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Roderick & James Schumacker, 2017. "‘The whole week comes down to the team sheet’: a footballer’s view of insecure work," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(1), pages 166-174, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:1:p:166-174
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016672792
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stefan Szymanski, 2010. "Football Economics and Policy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-27426-6.
    2. John Goddard & Peter Sloane (ed.), 2014. "Handbook on the Economics of Professional Football," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14821.
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