51Âþ»­

Broadcasting legend Lord Melvyn Bragg has joined the anniversary celebrations for sports historians at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­).

Melvyn at 51Âþ»­
In Conversation: Lord Melvyn Bragg at 51Âþ»­, where he took part in our Cultural Exchanges festival

Lord Bragg has written a special essay on his lifelong love of football for a report marking the 21st anniversary of the

“Football is the lingua-franca of total strangers,” he writes in his closing paragraphs. “What began with working-class men looking for a way to be more human, has become a major world expression of the quality of life to be found still not too far from the end of your street.

“And just to add to the wonder, here we have a university centre in Leicester devoted to all these things and more, celebrating its 21st anniversary. Bravo the International Centre for Sports History and Culture.

“You are the only one in Europe but who could doubt for a moment the cultural significance of what you teach and research? Here’s to the next 21 (and an Arsenal v Carlisle FA Cup Final).”

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The ICSHC anniversary report covers staff past and present, student success, research projects, books published, and its wide-ranging work to bring the study of sport into the public domain.

This included a 30-part BBC series, with Clare Balding, and the British Consulate on an innovative public exhibition as part of the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Closer to home, they helped celebrate the anniversary of and write the matchday programmes of all Leicester City home games.

The ICSHC directordescribes it as “in the best traditions of televised sport, a highlights package.”

He added: “Above all, we want to celebrate the people – staff and students – who have all helped to make what the ICSHC is today and what it will continue to be a we move into the next stage of our history.”