Max Portman
@whuhistorian.bsky.social
West Ham historian & PhD candidate focusing on West Ham since 1981.
@bssh.bsky.social Membership Sec.
@sportinhistorypod.bsky.social Host.
Co-Convenor of Sports & Leisure History Seminar @ihr.bsky.social
@footycon.bsky.social co-organiser
He/Him
@bssh.bsky.social Membership Sec.
@sportinhistorypod.bsky.social Host.
Co-Convenor of Sports & Leisure History Seminar @ihr.bsky.social
@footycon.bsky.social co-organiser
He/Him
For the #WestHam people on my feed and for the West Ham lovers on @bsky.app, the latest episode of the West Ham Syndrome podcast is now available.
We’re talking to Paul Brand about his book on the club’s academy which talks about the 99% who don’t make it and the dark side of the academy.
We’re talking to Paul Brand about his book on the club’s academy which talks about the 99% who don’t make it and the dark side of the academy.
November 15, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Max Portman
As we celebrate our 150th episode 🥳 We’re back with another pioneer from the world of sports!
We’re honoured to be joined by Alan Lau, chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation to talk to us about Frank’s life & times & why Asian inclusivity in football matters!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-histo…
We’re honoured to be joined by Alan Lau, chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation to talk to us about Frank’s life & times & why Asian inclusivity in football matters!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-histo…
November 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
As we celebrate our 150th episode 🥳 We’re back with another pioneer from the world of sports!
We’re honoured to be joined by Alan Lau, chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation to talk to us about Frank’s life & times & why Asian inclusivity in football matters!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-histo…
We’re honoured to be joined by Alan Lau, chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation to talk to us about Frank’s life & times & why Asian inclusivity in football matters!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-histo…
This was such a great interview to record with @collinstony.bsky.social who was an amazing guest and just gave me so much more than I was expecting!
Well worth a listen for all lovers of history from multiple perspectives in this episode!!
Well worth a listen for all lovers of history from multiple perspectives in this episode!!
Our latest episode with @collinstony.bsky.social of @icshc.bsky.social & @lborouniversity.bsky.social discussing his book on rugby league legend Roy Francis earlier this year is now LIVE!
Well worth a listen for lovers of rugby league and/or Black British history!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-his...
Well worth a listen for lovers of rugby league and/or Black British history!
shows.acast.com/sport-in-his...
November 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This was such a great interview to record with @collinstony.bsky.social who was an amazing guest and just gave me so much more than I was expecting!
Well worth a listen for all lovers of history from multiple perspectives in this episode!!
Well worth a listen for all lovers of history from multiple perspectives in this episode!!
Reposted by Max Portman
The venue for the 2026 British Society of Sports History has just been announced. It will be held at the John McIntyre Centre, University of Edinburgh, from 26 to 28 August 2026. See below for more details..
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
Edinburgh Venue for the 2026 BSSH Annual Conference
Welcome to the British Society of Sports History website. Our purpose is to promote the study of the history of sport.
www.sportinhistory.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The venue for the 2026 British Society of Sports History has just been announced. It will be held at the John McIntyre Centre, University of Edinburgh, from 26 to 28 August 2026. See below for more details..
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
With #WestHam kicking off in 10 minutes and with a good feeling about today’s game vs Burnley, I should promote the latest episode of the West Ham Syndrome Podcast, where we interview John Ratomski, founder of Irons Supporting Foodbanks about all his great work!
open.spotify.com/episode/4QfN...
open.spotify.com/episode/4QfN...
Episode 7: Interview with Irons Supporting Foodbanks
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
With #WestHam kicking off in 10 minutes and with a good feeling about today’s game vs Burnley, I should promote the latest episode of the West Ham Syndrome Podcast, where we interview John Ratomski, founder of Irons Supporting Foodbanks about all his great work!
open.spotify.com/episode/4QfN...
open.spotify.com/episode/4QfN...
Really excited to be part of this seminar!
Atlanta does some amazing work in this field & if you like sports, fiction or know someone with an interest in women’s sports, fiction or children’s & women’s history, then you’re gonna love this seminar!!
Sign up via the link in the OP ⬇️
Atlanta does some amazing work in this field & if you like sports, fiction or know someone with an interest in women’s sports, fiction or children’s & women’s history, then you’re gonna love this seminar!!
Sign up via the link in the OP ⬇️
Less than 2 WEEKS until our next seminar at @ihr.bsky.social w/ Atlanta Tsiaoukkas of @cambridge.org presenting her work on schoolgirl sporting heroines of early 20th century girls’ fiction on November 17th!
Sign up by 6pm on November 16th via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Sign up by 6pm on November 16th via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
The Schoolgirl Sporting Heroines of Early Twentieth-Century Girls’ Fiction
This session will explore how early 20th-century girls’ fiction recast the schoolgirl as a sporting heroine, redefining femininity through athleticism, patriotism, and modern ...
www.history.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Really excited to be part of this seminar!
Atlanta does some amazing work in this field & if you like sports, fiction or know someone with an interest in women’s sports, fiction or children’s & women’s history, then you’re gonna love this seminar!!
Sign up via the link in the OP ⬇️
Atlanta does some amazing work in this field & if you like sports, fiction or know someone with an interest in women’s sports, fiction or children’s & women’s history, then you’re gonna love this seminar!!
Sign up via the link in the OP ⬇️
God we needed that win so much!
Also Freddie Potts is the future of our midfield. No denying it 🙌
Also Freddie Potts is the future of our midfield. No denying it 🙌
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
God we needed that win so much!
Also Freddie Potts is the future of our midfield. No denying it 🙌
Also Freddie Potts is the future of our midfield. No denying it 🙌
Reposted by Max Portman
The journal is looking for TWO NEW editors (one senior and one junior) to begin their tenure in January 2026!
You can find out more information about this exciting opportunity via the link below and the deadline for applications is November 30th!!
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
You can find out more information about this exciting opportunity via the link below and the deadline for applications is November 30th!!
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The journal is looking for TWO NEW editors (one senior and one junior) to begin their tenure in January 2026!
You can find out more information about this exciting opportunity via the link below and the deadline for applications is November 30th!!
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
You can find out more information about this exciting opportunity via the link below and the deadline for applications is November 30th!!
www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...
Reposted by Max Portman
Showing off my original 1920 Sterling Inerchange phone with Euros Konektis ball (Esperanto!) + @kelceyervick.bsky.social book ⚽️💚 Some items already in US for World Cup Exhibition @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social @whuhistorian.bsky.social @footballheritage.bsky.social @footballandwar.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Showing off my original 1920 Sterling Inerchange phone with Euros Konektis ball (Esperanto!) + @kelceyervick.bsky.social book ⚽️💚 Some items already in US for World Cup Exhibition @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social @whuhistorian.bsky.social @footballheritage.bsky.social @footballandwar.bsky.social
In addition to a new episode of The West Ham Syndrome podcast, now on all platforms, you can also find us on instagram where we’re hoping to share some different content than we would do on here.
Please feel free to give us a follow over there if you’re on there.
open.spotify.com/episode/62Dd...
Please feel free to give us a follow over there if you’re on there.
open.spotify.com/episode/62Dd...
Episode 3: Groundhog Day at the London Stadium?
open.spotify.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In addition to a new episode of The West Ham Syndrome podcast, now on all platforms, you can also find us on instagram where we’re hoping to share some different content than we would do on here.
Please feel free to give us a follow over there if you’re on there.
open.spotify.com/episode/62Dd...
Please feel free to give us a follow over there if you’re on there.
open.spotify.com/episode/62Dd...
One for the physical culture historians and enthusiasts in my network!
I’ve already got a copy and would highly recommend such an amazing book!!
I’ve already got a copy and would highly recommend such an amazing book!!
To mark the release of my new book, When Fitness Went Global: The Rise of Physical Culture in the Nineteenth Century (Bloomsbury, 2025), I’m giving away a copy.
To enter:
💪 Repost
🌍 Comment with your favorite strength tradition
I’ll pick a winner next week.
#StrengthHeritage #SportHistory
To enter:
💪 Repost
🌍 Comment with your favorite strength tradition
I’ll pick a winner next week.
#StrengthHeritage #SportHistory
October 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
One for the physical culture historians and enthusiasts in my network!
I’ve already got a copy and would highly recommend such an amazing book!!
I’ve already got a copy and would highly recommend such an amazing book!!
My good friend Andrew Jenkin & I are pleased to announce our inaugural full episode of the podcast.
We’re so lucky to be joined by Andy Payne of @hammersunited.bsky.social & @whuisc.bsky.social to talk about his work with the Fan advisory board & protests against the owners.
bit.ly/WestHamSyndr...
We’re so lucky to be joined by Andy Payne of @hammersunited.bsky.social & @whuisc.bsky.social to talk about his work with the Fan advisory board & protests against the owners.
bit.ly/WestHamSyndr...
Spotify – Web Player
bit.ly
October 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
My good friend Andrew Jenkin & I are pleased to announce our inaugural full episode of the podcast.
We’re so lucky to be joined by Andy Payne of @hammersunited.bsky.social & @whuisc.bsky.social to talk about his work with the Fan advisory board & protests against the owners.
bit.ly/WestHamSyndr...
We’re so lucky to be joined by Andy Payne of @hammersunited.bsky.social & @whuisc.bsky.social to talk about his work with the Fan advisory board & protests against the owners.
bit.ly/WestHamSyndr...
Reposted by Max Portman
International Football History Conference 2026 - CALL FOR PAPERS! Further information at the below link and via @garyjames.bsky.social - gjfootballarchive.com/2025/10/02/i... #sportshistory
International Football History Conference 2026
The call for papers/presentations has been released for the 2026 International Football History Conference (#Footycon26). If you are interested in attending or presenting the details are here: Inte…
gjfootballarchive.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:04 AM
International Football History Conference 2026 - CALL FOR PAPERS! Further information at the below link and via @garyjames.bsky.social - gjfootballarchive.com/2025/10/02/i... #sportshistory
A day late (I apologise), but back in 2023, I published a month-long series to celebrate #blackhistorymonth by sharing a daily blog post on black players from West Ham’s past, which I’m resharing for this year.
Up first is Brian Deane
maxportmanhistorian.blogspot.com/2023/10/blac...
Up first is Brian Deane
maxportmanhistorian.blogspot.com/2023/10/blac...
Black History Month Players: Brian Deane
As October is Black History Month in the UK, I will spend this month publishing threads on X (formerly Twitter) on certain players who have...
maxportmanhistorian.blogspot.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:47 AM
A day late (I apologise), but back in 2023, I published a month-long series to celebrate #blackhistorymonth by sharing a daily blog post on black players from West Ham’s past, which I’m resharing for this year.
Up first is Brian Deane
maxportmanhistorian.blogspot.com/2023/10/blac...
Up first is Brian Deane
maxportmanhistorian.blogspot.com/2023/10/blac...
Proper chuffed to be launch a new podcast series on my beloved West Ham United with my good mate & fellow hammer Andrew Jenkin which is now available on all podcast platforms!
Enjoy this short intro episode where we tell you what we’re hoping to do going forward ⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/0Cxd...
Enjoy this short intro episode where we tell you what we’re hoping to do going forward ⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/0Cxd...
What is the West Ham Syndrome? Introduction to the podcast.
open.spotify.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Proper chuffed to be launch a new podcast series on my beloved West Ham United with my good mate & fellow hammer Andrew Jenkin which is now available on all podcast platforms!
Enjoy this short intro episode where we tell you what we’re hoping to do going forward ⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/0Cxd...
Enjoy this short intro episode where we tell you what we’re hoping to do going forward ⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/0Cxd...
Reposted by Max Portman
Sporting Heritage are staging an event for delegates from the Sports History and Sports Heritage fields at the Heritage Quay in Huddersfield on February 5th 2026, 10 am-4 pm.
Tickets for the event can be reserved here..
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sports-his...
Tickets for the event can be reserved here..
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sports-his...
September 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Sporting Heritage are staging an event for delegates from the Sports History and Sports Heritage fields at the Heritage Quay in Huddersfield on February 5th 2026, 10 am-4 pm.
Tickets for the event can be reserved here..
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sports-his...
Tickets for the event can be reserved here..
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sports-his...
Great to have been involved in this event last night at @ihr.bsky.social and very much a ‘pinch-me’ moment for me personally to be included in the photo below with so many legends of Sports History!
Congratulations to @icshc.bsky.social Emeritus Professor Richard Holt on the official launch of 'Sport and the British - A Modern History' (second edition) at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, University of London, @bssh.bsky.social. Pictures by ICSHC James Panter. #sportshistory
September 30, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Great to have been involved in this event last night at @ihr.bsky.social and very much a ‘pinch-me’ moment for me personally to be included in the photo below with so many legends of Sports History!
I’ll be honest, I’m sad for Graham Potter as with a proper board backing him and a proper vision for the club, he’d have been a great manager to oversee a “project” like he did at Brighton.
Not envying whoever takes over as West Ham manager next…
Not envying whoever takes over as West Ham manager next…
Graham Potter has been sacked by West Ham United after winning only six of his 25 games in charge.
Graham Potter sacked by West Ham after eight months in charge
Potter only won six of his 25 games with the club.
www.nytimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I’ll be honest, I’m sad for Graham Potter as with a proper board backing him and a proper vision for the club, he’d have been a great manager to oversee a “project” like he did at Brighton.
Not envying whoever takes over as West Ham manager next…
Not envying whoever takes over as West Ham manager next…
Reposted by Max Portman
We’re excited to announce that the location for #FootyCon26 is…
LONDON!!
Join us at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage on the 12th & 13th of June 2026 for the latest edition of our annual conference to enjoy lots of great people talk about Football of all codes from multiple backgrounds
LONDON!!
Join us at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage on the 12th & 13th of June 2026 for the latest edition of our annual conference to enjoy lots of great people talk about Football of all codes from multiple backgrounds
September 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
We’re excited to announce that the location for #FootyCon26 is…
LONDON!!
Join us at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage on the 12th & 13th of June 2026 for the latest edition of our annual conference to enjoy lots of great people talk about Football of all codes from multiple backgrounds
LONDON!!
Join us at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage on the 12th & 13th of June 2026 for the latest edition of our annual conference to enjoy lots of great people talk about Football of all codes from multiple backgrounds
Crazy that 80 people have taken out of their Monday nights to be part of this event that I’m honoured to have co-organised with @rafnicholson.bsky.social and Amanda Callan-Spenn (Not on Bluesky) to celebrate Richard Holt’s Sport & The British.
Only THREE DAYS left until our amazing event at @ihr.bsky.social that has seen OVER 80... that's right... 80 people sign up so far!
If you want to be a part of this event on Monday, sign up via the link below by SUNDAY 6pm
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
If you want to be a part of this event on Monday, sign up via the link below by SUNDAY 6pm
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Rewriting Sport and the British
www.history.ac.uk
September 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Crazy that 80 people have taken out of their Monday nights to be part of this event that I’m honoured to have co-organised with @rafnicholson.bsky.social and Amanda Callan-Spenn (Not on Bluesky) to celebrate Richard Holt’s Sport & The British.
I must say that as a West Ham fan, I’m slightly upset that we lost Mukasa from the academy as he’d have been a great addition to our midfield over the next couple of years.
But all credit to him for his amazing performance last night for City. Let’s hope he goes onto great things 🙌
But all credit to him for his amazing performance last night for City. Let’s hope he goes onto great things 🙌
September 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I must say that as a West Ham fan, I’m slightly upset that we lost Mukasa from the academy as he’d have been a great addition to our midfield over the next couple of years.
But all credit to him for his amazing performance last night for City. Let’s hope he goes onto great things 🙌
But all credit to him for his amazing performance last night for City. Let’s hope he goes onto great things 🙌
Really excited to share with you that we’re close to announcing next year’s location for #FootyCon26 and returning for a 3rd time as co-organiser with @garyjames.bsky.social
If you want to have a guess, feel free to do so in the original post below ⬇️
If you want to have a guess, feel free to do so in the original post below ⬇️
We’re very excited to announce the location for #FootyCon26 in the next few days!!
We won’t tell you just yet… but feel free to have a guess to where we might end up!
The only hint we’ll give you is the answer is in our new logo.
Post your guesses in the comments ⬇️
We won’t tell you just yet… but feel free to have a guess to where we might end up!
The only hint we’ll give you is the answer is in our new logo.
Post your guesses in the comments ⬇️
September 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Really excited to share with you that we’re close to announcing next year’s location for #FootyCon26 and returning for a 3rd time as co-organiser with @garyjames.bsky.social
If you want to have a guess, feel free to do so in the original post below ⬇️
If you want to have a guess, feel free to do so in the original post below ⬇️
In addition to a new episode of the @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social being available, we’re also excited to let people know that we’ve got a record crowd for a @bssh.bsky.social event at @ihr.bsky.social and we’re looking to get a even bigger crowd still!
Sign up via the link below to join us ⬇️
Sign up via the link below to join us ⬇️
Sign up before 6pm THIS SUNDAY to be part of an amazing event celebrating a legendary book via the link below ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Rewriting Sport and the British
www.history.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In addition to a new episode of the @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social being available, we’re also excited to let people know that we’ve got a record crowd for a @bssh.bsky.social event at @ihr.bsky.social and we’re looking to get a even bigger crowd still!
Sign up via the link below to join us ⬇️
Sign up via the link below to join us ⬇️
Reposted by Max Portman
We’re only TWO WEEKS away from this wonderful event at @ihr.bsky.social celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of ‘Sport & the British’, a book once called “the bible of British Sports History”!!
Sign up to be there in-person or online via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Sign up to be there in-person or online via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Rewriting Sport and the British
www.history.ac.uk
September 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We’re only TWO WEEKS away from this wonderful event at @ihr.bsky.social celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of ‘Sport & the British’, a book once called “the bible of British Sports History”!!
Sign up to be there in-person or online via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Sign up to be there in-person or online via the link ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Max Portman
We’re 2 and a half weeks away from this great event at @ihr.bsky.social
celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of his seminal book ‘Sport & the British’ on September 29th.
Sign up to join us online or in-person by clicking the link below ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of his seminal book ‘Sport & the British’ on September 29th.
Sign up to join us online or in-person by clicking the link below ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Rewriting Sport and the British
www.history.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We’re 2 and a half weeks away from this great event at @ihr.bsky.social
celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of his seminal book ‘Sport & the British’ on September 29th.
Sign up to join us online or in-person by clicking the link below ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
celebrating Richard Holt’s revised edition of his seminal book ‘Sport & the British’ on September 29th.
Sign up to join us online or in-person by clicking the link below ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...