Chris Lee – Football Historian, Lecturer and Author

*Chris Lee at the International Brigades mural, Clapton CFC, East London* [Photo: Chris Lee]

Are you looking for a guest speaker or visiting lecturer who can bring the story of football to life? I deliver engaging talks, seminars and workshops on how football shapes and is shaped by politics, identity, and culture around the world.

About me

I am a football historian, author and podcaster, best known for founding the podcast and blog Outside Write (now on Substack), where I have been researching and documenting football culture since 2015.

I have written three books on football history:

Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World (2021)
The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism (2022)
Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football (2025)

My work explores how football interacts with national identity, political movements, and globalisation.

*Chris discusses the history of football and fascism at the Marx Memorial Library in London* [Photo: ANPI]

Talk and lecture topics

I offer talks that can be tailored for universities, football clubs, supporter groups, museums, and conferences, including:

The Global Origins and Spread of Football
Football, Politics and Power
Football and National Identity
Groundhopping in Europe and South America
Football Under Authoritarian Regimes

Talks can be delivered in English or Spanish, in-person or online.

*Chris delivers a talk in Spanish to University of Bath students* [Photo: Dr Penny Miles]

Previous engagements

I have delivered lectures and talks for universities, cultural networks, and community organisations, including:

University of Bath – Football and National Identity in Argentina and Uruguay
Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d’Italia (ANPI) – Football Under Mussolini
University of Wolverhampton’s Football and War Network – The History of Football and Politics

With a professional background in business and public speaking, I am experienced in presenting to large and diverse audiences.