Did you know that people used to play football with pig bladders? Or that paying football players was once strictly forbidden? You’ll find these and other fascinating facts in this article.
Where and When Was Football Invented?
It’s fair to say that football is as old as civilization itself. The first written record of a ball game was found in China and dates back over 2,000 years. When Japan applied to host the 2002 World Cup, it cited historical evidence of a match from the 14th century. In ancient Rome, men also chased after a ball. Records show that games were organized in London as early as 1175. In Britain, football developed rapidly – annual matches were held in local markets.
No one knows the exact birthplace of football, but the eleven-a-side version we know today is credited to the English from the 19th century. The first official name for the sport was Association Football, coined by English physical education teachers in the 1800s.
What Were the First Games Like?
Football in the 19th century was rough and dangerous. During matches, townspeople had to lock their doors and windows to protect themselves from the crowds in the streets. Accidents were common – even deadly. In London, a pig bladder was used instead of a ball, and once in Chester, during a victory celebration over the Danes, a fallen enemy’s head reportedly served as the ball.
That’s why King Edward II of England banned football in 1314, threatening imprisonment for those who defied the order. But the English weren’t easily discouraged and eventually began establishing rules instead of facing repeated bans. People in Cornwall were likely the first to implement formal regulations. In the book The Survey of Cornwall, it’s noted that tripping and hitting below the waist were forbidden, as was forward passing.
How Much Did Footballers Earn?
On October 26, 1863, the Football Association (FA) was founded with the goal of defining official rules for the game. Rule sixteen explicitly forbade players from receiving any payment — doing so would mean exclusion from the championship. Clubs caught paying players were expelled from the FA. At the time, payment was considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
However, this issue grew over time. Numerous accusations and court cases pressured the FA to take action. The turning point came when the Preston team was disqualified for paying players. The club responded by revealing that many others were doing the same. No one wanted to sign amateurs — only top talent could win matches, and money was the only way to attract it. In 1885, the FA finally gave in: professional football was legalized.
Conclusion
Football has always stirred passion — and disputes. Not even the greatest technological or social changes have diminished the sport’s global appeal. The conclusion is obvious: Football is immortal.
