In focus: Two sports that were once immensely popular in the UK
Over the last few decades, it’s fair to say that certain sports have developed to become the most popular amongst the masses. The likes of football, rugby union, boxing and golf command huge viewing figures on television, and this has left a lot of other sports, which were perhaps staples of the past, playing catchup.
The rise of dedicated sports channels has meant that live sport has never been easier to access, but at the same time it means that there is always football to watch, and that takes attention away from other sports that might have been prime-time viewing on one of the terrestrial channels a few decades ago.
Then, there are sports that have always been best sampled in person, and the rise of TV sporting channels has meant that less and less people are venturing out to attend live, content to cosy up in their armchairs and watch whatever is being broadcast.
With this in mind, here’s a look at a couple sports that, although still carry a passionate following, have dwindled somewhat in mainstream popularity over the years.
Greyhound racing
There was once a time when a night at the greyhound tracks was a very popular way for the working classes of Britain to spend an evening. With events often held on weekdays, crowds would flock to various stadiums after work to watch the action unfold. Indeed, some of the country’s most beloved football stadiums once played host to greyhound racing, most notably Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
The rise of television, along with more awareness of animal welfare and the real-life impact of the industry, has meant that a night at the races no longer holds quite the same appeal, but greyhound racing still has a loyal cult following. There is something about the unpredictability of it all that attracts people to attend and cheer on their favourites.
Greyhound racing has evolved a lot since the early 20th century when it was at its peak of popularity. The industry is now a lot better regulated, which can give some spectators peace of mind.
Snooker
Nearly everyone in the UK remembers the 1985 World Snooker Championship final. With a peak audience of some 18 million, the match between Steve Davis and Denis Taylor remains among the most-watched sporting events in British history. Despite Davis holding an 8-0 lead at one point, the match was ultimately level at 17-17, leading to one of the most dramatic finishes of all time as Davis missed the black to allow Taylor to snatch victory.
These days, snooker is still immensely popular among its hardcore fans, but it is only really the three tournaments broadcast on the BBC that receive wider coverage. The sheer choice of sports available to watch has hindered snooker’s popularity, but many will always look on it with fondness based on their memories of sport’s boom in the 1980s.
The standard of play has never been higher, with a plethora of world class talent littering the upper reaches of the sport. Anyone who hasn’t tuned in to snooker for a while is missing out!
The editorial unit
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