The Evolution Of Football

By Author: Mark Heffernan
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It seems football has been around almost as long as England. William FitzStephen, who worked as a clerk for the archbishop Thomas Beckett, first wrote about the game in 1170. In 1477, Edward IV banned football and Oliver Cromwell did the same thing in 1649. The rules of modern soccer have its genesis in the traditional football games that were played by teams from the public schools of England. The rules of the game depended on the school and were often dictated by the dimensions of the institutions' playing field.

The top public schools in England field football teams. Eton had a team as far back as 1747. By the early 1750's Westminster, Harrow, Shrewsbury, Winchester and Charterhouse had teams. Rugby, a public school situated in the Midlands, is credited with developing the first rules that were put into writing in 1845. The rule sought to take much of the physical violence out of the game including hacking (kicking the opposing player in the shins) and "navvies" which consist of boots that were fitted with iron and projected nails.

Eton College is credited with developing the first set of rules around 1815; ...
... however, they did not produce written rules until 1847. The Eton rules are the first known prohibition on the use of hands. In 1848, Cambridge University met with 12 delegates from schools that included Eton, Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury. The meeting, which lasted for eight hours, resulted in what are called the first modern collection of rules for soccer.

A revised version of the original rules (1856) is kept in the library of Shrewsbury School. The Cambridge Rules placed an emphasis on kicking. Handling was permitted by players to allow them a "clean catch." This allowed them a free kick. These rules were not very popular.

By the mid 1800's, many of the men who played football in the public schools wanted to continue playing the sport after they left school. As a result, they began forming amateur football clubs. Since many of these clubs were based on different backgrounds and traditions, there were wide variations in the rules. Disputes on the field of play were very common. In an attempt to address this issue, a series of meetings took place around London in 1863.

The intent of the meetings was to establish a set of rules and regulations that all clubs would consent. Most of the attendees were in favor of a kicking game that banned hacking. Others representatives favored the Rugby style of play, which emphasized carrying and throwing the ball. It also allowed hacking.

They formed the Football Association (FA), and in December 1963, the FA made available the rules referred to as the Laws of Football for the game of Association football. This was later shortened to "soccer." There were two major differences in the Cambridge Rules and the rules adopted by the FA. First, the Football Association rules allowed allow players to run or carry the ball in certain circumstance. Second, FA rules permitted hacking only if the opposing team player ran with the ball towards the opponent's goal and was not being held.

FA rules defined some terminology, such as "offside" and "thrown in." The rules also dictated what was considered acceptable play. It included the procedures for kicking off; and, it allowed the ball to be passed by hand only when the player caught it on the first bounce. There was also a mandated maximum length and breath for the pitch.

In addition, players were no longer able to have footwear with built-in iron plates, and nails. Items such as penalties, the number of players and the shape of the ball were decided by the team captains before the game. This group latter form the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 1871 which banned hacking as a response to public outcry over the violence

During a game between London and Sheffield (1866), members of the FA noticed how certain rules were affecting the ebb and flow of the game. The FA made a decision to modify the "offside" rules. This change allowed the ball to be passed forward. They also eliminated the handling of the ball except for by the goalkeepers on each team. It was during this time that a red piece of tape was placed between the goal post to designate the top.

In 1872, the first national competition, called the FA Cup, was played between the Wanderers and Royal Engineers. Over 2000 people paid to see the event. The Royal Engineers, who played almost the entire game short one man, lost 1-0. Player substitutions were not permitted at that time. The popularity of the FA Cup led to more clubs adopting FA rules, which was a condition for competing for the FA Cup.

Football became very popular during the 1870's and 1880's; however, professional football was illegal. This restriction was lifted by the FA in1892, but the FA imposed a wage limit. The first football league (Football League) was formed in April of 1888. It consisted of 12 teams. A rival league called the Football Alliance operated from1889 to 1892. The two leagues merged in 1892 to form the Football League First Division, and Football League Second Division. The first international competition in football occurred between England and Scotland.

In 1895, the United States and Canada played the first international soccer contest that was not held on the European continent. Canada won by a score of 1-0. The current governing body for the main international tournaments is the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). It was formed in May 1904. The FIFA sponsored the first World Cup in 1930; the organization and currently has over 200 members.
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