Sectarianism and Football in Central Scotland

Only abstract. Paper copies of master’s theses are listed in the Helka database (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Electronic copies of master’s theses are either available as open access or only on thesis terminals in the Helsinki University Library.Vain tiivistelmä. Sidottujen gradujen saatavuuden voit tarkistaa Helka-tietokannasta (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Digitaaliset gradut voivat olla luettavissa avoimesti verkossa tai rajoitetusti kirjaston opinnäytekioskeilla.Endast sammandrag. Inbundna avhandlingar kan sökas i Helka-databasen (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Elektroniska kopior av avhandlingar finns antingen öppet på nätet eller endast tillgängliga i bibliotekets avhandlingsterminaler.This thesis looks at sectarianism, which is found in central Scotland. I analyse the relationship between Scotland’s two largest ethnic groups, Protestant Lowland Scots and Irish Catholics on both a historical and contemporary period. By looking at what l see as the key points of conflict between the communities, I attempt to explain why sectarianism persists within central Scotland. By looking at the historical, political and sporting aspects of central Scottish society hopefully we can begin to understand the forces which drive sectarianism in this area I put forward the idea that sectarianism in central Scotland has affected the chances for a nationalist political breakthrough in Scotland. As a political decision, I analyse the segregated education issue, which I claim is a major component in the sectarian debate. By looking at the communities involved, I show how the historical past has become a major source for the continuing conflict. I show how religious and national identity has become associated with football to such an extent that ones religious identity is based on which football club one supports. By using the concept of “Telling”, I show how both communities negotiate around the religious issue with the minimum of fuss in order to avoid conflict