The CCT legislation sought to create a market for the sport and leisure management function in local government. Competition was seen as essential to the achievement of improved efficiency and effectiveness. This paper examines the very limited nature of this 'market' and the constraints on its development. However, CCT left responsibility for policy with the client side and this paper also presents evidence that this responsibility has not been exercised in the 'defence of welfare' and suggests that those responsible for leisure services need to accept greater political and intellectual responsibility for the definition and defence of welfare in the second round of contracting.