The Birth of English Football: The Story of the Football
Association, the World’s First Pro Sports League.
The story of organized football (soccer) in England begins in the mid-1800s, when the game
was played with different rules at different schools and clubs across the country. Before
1863, each school or club had its own set of rules, which made it difficult to play matches
between different teams. Some places allowed players to handle the ball, while others
strictly forbade it. This confusion led to the need for standardized rules.
In October 1863, representatives from several football clubs in and around London met at
the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street. These men, led by Ebenezer Cobb Morley,
wanted to create a single set of rules that everyone could follow. This meeting marked the
beginning of what would become the Football Association (FA), the oldest football
governing body in the world.
The early meetings weren't always smooth. There were heated debates about fundamental
aspects of the game. Should players be allowed to run with the ball in their hands? Could
they kick other players in the shins? These discussions eventually led to a split between
those who preferred what would become rugby and those who wanted a game played
primarily with the feet.
By December 1863, the FA published its first set of rules. These thirteen rules formed the
foundation of modern football. They established key principles like the size of the field, how
goals were scored, and most importantly, that the ball could not be carried or handled
(except by the goalkeeper). This was a crucial moment that separated football from rugby
forever.
The FA's early years were challenging. At first, only a handful of clubs joined. However, the
organization gradually gained more members as teams recognized the benefits of playing
under standardized rules. The FA Challenge Cup, started in 1871, became the world's first
organized football competition. This tournament helped spread the popularity of the FA's
rules and attracted more clubs to join the association.
The 1870s and 1880s saw significant growth in English football. The FA introduced
professional football in 1885, allowing players to be paid for the first time. This decision
helped develop the game into a serious profession rather than just a hobby for wealthy
amateurs. In 1888, the Football League was established, creating the world's first organized
league competition.
The FA also played a crucial role in spreading football internationally. As British traders,
sailors, and workers traveled around the world, they took the game with them. The FA's
rules became the standard for football worldwide, and many countries created their own
football associations based on the English model.
By the early 1900s, the FA had transformed football from a disorganized game with multiple
sets of rules into the world's most popular sport. Their influence extended beyond England's
borders, helping to establish international football organizations and competitions that
continue to this day.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. In which year was the Football Association founded?
a) 1871
b) 1863
c) 1885
d) 1888
2. Where did the first meeting to establish the FA take place?
a) Wembley Stadium
b) The Football League Office
c) Freemasons' Tavern
d) Westminster Palace
3. Who led the first meetings that established the FA?
a) Ebenezer Cobb Morley
b) William McGregor
c) Charles Alcock
d) Arthur Kinnaird
4. What major development occurred in 1885?
a) The first international match
b) The creation of the Football League
c) The introduction of professional football
d) The first FA Cup final
5. What was a major issue that needed to be resolved in early football?
a) The color of the ball
b) The size of the goals
c) Different rules at different schools and clubs
d) The number of players on each team
6. What significant competition did the FA establish in 1871?
a) The Premier League
b) The FA Cup
c) The Football League
d) The European Cup
7. How many rules were in the FA's first official rulebook?
a) Ten
b) Eleven
c) Thirteen
d) Fifteen
8. What was one of the key principles established in the first FA rules?
a) The ball could not be carried or handled (except by the goalkeeper)
b) Players must wear uniforms
c) Games must have referees
d) Matches must be 90 minutes long
9. What happened as a result of the early FA meetings?
a) Football and cricket separated
b) Football and rugby separated
c) Football and tennis separated
d) Football and hockey separated
10. How did football spread internationally?
a) Through television broadcasts
b) Through international tournaments
c) Through British traders, sailors, and workers
d) Through newspaper articles
