'2-4-6-8 Who do we appreciate?'
John Gorringe, watching Brighton Tigers at SS Brighton, 1950s.

Changes in employment law during the Victorian period meant that working people gained time and money for leisure. Much of this was spent on sport. Brighton Council and local benefactors began to provide parks and sports facilities for everyone.

	Programme for an ice hockey match between the Brighton Vikings and the Sussex Raiders on Sunday 10 August 1947.

Cricket and horseracing, which still thrive in the city today, had taken place in Brighton from the mid 1700s, sea-swimming for pleasure became very popular as it was free and the town's first professional football club, Brighton United was founded in 1898.

Greater awareness of public health in the 1930s, led to the development of sporting complexes like SS Brighton, Withdean Stadium and Black Rock swimming pool. Many became homes to successful teams such as Brighton Tigers Ice Hockey team and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

Sport is still important to Brighton's residents. In the late 1990s, Brighton & Hove Albions ground was sold and home games were played in Gillingham, Kent. However, continued pressure from supporters saw the team return to the town in 1999.

See objects on display in the Sport section of Exploring Brighton gallery