Roots of the beautiful game

[Toolhead]

This is question about the origins of the game. First off(please forgive my semi-newbie stupidity), am I correct in in saying the English believe they "invented" the game? Or do the Scots/Welsh have a claim to this? I'm a little bit of history novice, and while one of them was definately responsible for organizing the rules and regulations of the modern game and forming the first league structure, doesn't the first recorded history of a version of a similar type of game date back to the Inca's/Azteca's? Their game was different, but involved most of the same principles, the goal wasn't on the ground and (I'm pretty sure they used someone's decapitated head as a ball) but the rules were pretty much the same, absolutely no use of the hands, while kicking the "ball" into the opponents goal? I'm just curious about the true orgins of the games, it seems hard to believe a game of such elegance, beauty, and simplicity has origins dating back less than 150-200 years. Again, please forgive my ignorance of the history of the game.

[RobB]

Their game was different, but involved most of the same principles, the goal wasn't on the ground and (I'm pretty sure they used someone's decapitated head as a ball) but the rules were pretty much the same.


Sounds like every Villa/Birmingham match.

I`m sure kicking a round object toward a target had been done before the 19th century, but the modern rules really make the game. The rules were gradually developed when a chaotic kick-and-rush-type pastime played at English public schools, started to be played by Cricketers (who love rules) during the winter months. They included Scotsmen like William MacGregor, who was living in England at the time. The passing style football was popular in Scotland and was brought South, but the rules of the modern game are basically an English invention.

[Mackannovic]

First game of Association Football i.e. Modern day Soccer/Football. Took place in Queens Park FC's Hampden Park in Scotland between Scotland and England. In England prior and for a short while afterwards there was many variations on rules in different cities and parts of the country such as the Sheffield Rules and London Rules. When England was still divided over which set of rules to use, Scotland had the Scottish Football Association (SFA), one set of rules for Cup-ties and one style. The SFA was the world’s first true national association. These rules were used in the International game in 1872 and became popular all over England in the following years. Many association rules had been drawn up such as the rules from different cities but it was the scottish rules which stood the test of time and provided the basis for the modern game.

Football's coming home?
Nah, Football's visiting a close neighbour!

[musicl]

The rules to Association football/soccer where made in 1863 in a pub in London.
Before that in 1830s boys at public schools in England developed the grounds for the game. All the schools rules where differnent in ways. When these boys grew older and left school and moved on to university they brought the game with them. At cambridge the cambridge rules where drawn up, these formed the basis of the 1863 Association rules. First club was formed in 1855 by Sheffield Cricket Club, Sheffield FC. Lots of other clubs formed. Then 11 leading clubs met in 1863 to draw up the rules - and so the game you know today was born.

First game of Association Football did NOT take place in Queens Park FC's Hampden Park in Scotland, in 1872, between Scotland and England. The first game of INTERNATIONAL Association Football took place at the West of Scotland cricket ground in Patrick, Scotland, between Scotland and England, in 1872. Clubs in England had been playing football to the Association rules for nearly ten years.

[Mobile]

At cambridge the cambridge rules where drawn up, these formed the basis of the 1863 Association rules.

Absolutely right.

http://www.ba-education.demon.co.uk/for/sport/footballrules.html

In fact the students at the university used to play the locals on Parker's Piece in the centre of town. Regular conflict over the rules lead to the formation of the 'Cambridge Rules', the first accepted codification of the game and the foundation for all subsequent rules.

A few years ago the BBC made a documentary to commemorate the occasion. A mock football match was staged between players wearing traditional costumes of the day. I also remember a Japanese TV company making a show about it when I was at school, we had parts as extras.

I've played on Parker's Piece loads of times, it's still a popular venue for impromptu games.

Mackannovic - where did you get that cack about Scotland? Don't believe the Scottish propaganda :p

[footfetish]

...doesn't the first recorded history of a version of a similar type of game date back to the Inca's/Azteca's? Their game was different, but involved most of the same principles, the goal wasn't on the ground and (I'm pretty sure they used someone's decapitated head as a ball) but the rules were pretty much the same, absolutely no use of the hands, while kicking the "ball" into the opponents goal? the aztec's had a football game that was basically a mix between basketball and football/soccer. they used an elevated hoop instead of a goal. no hands. and there were no severed heads heads involved, just a small rubber ball. some historians theorize that the game may have been used in sacrifices however. the loosers being killed in the name of the gods... sound like americans to me! we love a winner. :D