I am a sports economist, having taught and researched this subject in higher education institutions for over 40 years. I am now retired from full-time work, although as an emeritus professor I still participate in research contracts with the Sport Industry Research Group (SIRG) at SHU. My recent specialism is in the social benefits of sport, particularly through research according to the principles of Social Return on Investment.

Since retiring, I have also been a trustee on the Board of Sheffield City Trust, which has had responsibility for running most of Sheffield’s sport and entertainment facilities, including Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield Arena and Sheffield City Hall.

During my career I developed and taught on many sports economics and sports management modules on Sports and Leisure Management courses, particularly at Staffordshire University for undergraduate programmes and the University of Sheffield for postgraduate programmes.

I have co-written key sports economics texts with Professor Chris Gratton, particularly Economics of Sport and Recreation, an economic analysis (E & F N Spon, 1985) and I also edited the sixth edition of Torkildsen’s Sport and Leisure Management (Routledge, 2011).