The Effects of Foreign Footballers on the English Game

Summary: In recent times we have seen in influx of talent from around the globe into the Premiership. But what effect is this having on the national game. Read on to learn more.

To as far back as the 50's and earlier there have been foreign footballers playing out their careers in the top leagues. Although the crutch of the talent in the higher leagues was dominated by Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English players through into the 70's there was beginning to be a noticeable amount of foreign talent, with possibly one or two gracing each team. Into the 80's this trend would continue but by this point homegrown black players were also making their mark on the English game with the likes of John Barnes and Viv Anderson being elevated to both stars for club and country. This amidst still a fair degree of racism around the country. Into the early 90's black players were becoming commonplace, with the likes of Ian Wright forming important parts of the contemporary lineups. Off the back of the Hillsborough disaster clubs were moving into safer allseater stadiums, incentives and punishments were being implemented to rid the game of its racism and violence. With this burgeoning family orientated and more civilized aura surrounding the game it was becoming fashionable to the middle classes to as well as the lower classes. Riding this popularity and with the advent of Sky Sports satellite TV coverage and all the money this would bring, the game was entering new heady heights. Off the back of this clubs were experiencing wealth previously unheard of. In a matter of a few years the transfer record would go from