Football became codified as a game in London during 1863. The reason for this was to amalgamate the football being played at English public schools and the game played at universities. We can find evidence of football in a recognisable, refereed, team from as far back as 1581. The earliest ever documented use of the word football was in 1409, and the earliest French reference is in 1314. The modern game of football is believed to have evolved in London. England boasts the world’s oldest football club, dating from 1857 and the oldest competition, the FA cup, which was founded in 1871.
Although these documented and dated events help clarify the emergence of football as an organised sport, there is evidence of football being played in England all the way back to medieval times. Indeed, the first documented account of a football like game was in 1280. It wasn’t until the 16th century that we find organised teams being formed.
During the 19th century, the rules of football were codified, and the Cambridge rules were established in1848, closely followed by the Sheffield rules in 1857. It wasn’t until 1863 that the sport acquired a governing body in the shape of the Football Association. By 1871 the FA cup had been established and football as we know it today was beginning to take a much more recognisable shape.
The late nineteenth century was witness to a north-south divide, with the northern part of the country vying for the adaptation of football as a professional sport, with the southern players wishing to maintain the amateur nature of the game. In 1885, the FA finally legalised professionalism and the face of football was changed forever.
Although these documented and dated events help clarify the emergence of football as an organised sport, there is evidence of football being played in England all the way back to medieval times. Indeed, the first documented account of a football like game was in 1280. It wasn’t until the 16th century that we find organised teams being formed.
During the 19th century, the rules of football were codified, and the Cambridge rules were established in1848, closely followed by the Sheffield rules in 1857. It wasn’t until 1863 that the sport acquired a governing body in the shape of the Football Association. By 1871 the FA cup had been established and football as we know it today was beginning to take a much more recognisable shape.
The late nineteenth century was witness to a north-south divide, with the northern part of the country vying for the adaptation of football as a professional sport, with the southern players wishing to maintain the amateur nature of the game. In 1885, the FA finally legalised professionalism and the face of football was changed forever.