For Eddie:
I attended a state grammar school, which modelled itself upon public schools.
Even talking about football was frowned upon. (Our local professional team, Ipswich, had won the Football League Championship only a few years earlier but, in 7 years at the school, I never heard any teacher or pupil mention Ipswich Town FC even once, and I knew of nobody who had ever attended any of their games - to do so would have been regarded with considerable contempt). Soccer, so we were told, was "only for common people" (as was Rugby League). "Young gentlemen play Rugby Union, boys. Remember that always, boys. Rugger is the name of the game and never forget it!".