Originally posted by dnewma04:
Originally posted by Simon96SE:
[b]I think you need to read that article again because THATS the BIGGEST load of CRAP i have EVER heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, with all those exclamation points backing you up, I stand corrected...[/b]If you REALLY want me to back it up I will!
Part One:
A Football match takes place in a Russia in 1810.
The game of football began modestly enough, yet it had certain durable qualities, and it inspired a particular kind of determined devotion in its followers. The games that are now known as Rugby and Association Football began in England about halfway through the present century. There are records of earlier forms in China, at least two thousand years ago, in ancient Greece and Rome. But it was in England that football began to take the shape we now recognise, and it is here where we begin our history of soccer
Part 2:
1863
This, then was the sequence of events that led to the forming of the Football Association, a turning point in the history of soccer. The following clubs sent representatives to the meeting at the Freemason's Tavern on October 26: Forest (later to become the Wanderers, first winners of the FA Cup); NN Kilburn (NN stands for No Names but the club was always known by its initials - like WBA); Barnes; War Office; Crusaders; Perceval House, Blackheath; Crystal Palace; Blackheath; Kensington School; Surbiton; Blackheath School. In addition Charterhouse School sent an obsever and some unattached footballers were present.
It was agreed that "the clubs represented at this meeting now form themselves into an association to be called The Football Association."
The ordeal of adopting a common set of rules however could not be carried out immediately because a minority of clubs led by Blackheath favoured the inclusion of the Rugby School game - the ancestor of today's Rugby Union game. At a further meeting on December 1st the Rugby advocates were defeated by 13 votes to 4 and withdrew from the Association. On December 8th the proposed rules were formally accepted. For the record these first F.A. Laws were:
1 - The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards, the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards, the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards apart, without any tape or bar across
them.
2 - A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss for goals; the other side shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is kicked off.
3 - After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won.
4 - A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-posts (at whatever
height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.
5 - When the ball is in touch, the first player who touches it shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the
ground in a direction at right angles with the boundary line, and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground.
6 - When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is out of play and may
not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until he is in play; but no player is
out of play when the ball is kicked off from behind the goal line.
7 - In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his
side shall he entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched. If a player
of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick at the goal only from a point 15 yards
outside the goal line, opposite the place where the ball is touched, the opposing side standing within their goal line until he has
had his kick.
8 - If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at
once; and in order to take such a kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance
beyond his mark until he has kicked.
9 - No player shall run with the ball.
10 - Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.
11 - A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands.
12 - No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his hands under any pretext whatever while it is in play.
13 - No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots.
The rest of the "Histoy" of Football can be found here
http://www.11v11.co.uk/textpage.php3?linkpageid=158, let me know when you see ANY mention of the US having ANYTHING to do with the rules or football :rolleyes: