1
, THE HISTORY OF SOCCER
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas.
Early evidence of soccer being played as a sport finds occurrence in China during the 2nd and 3rd
centuries BC.
In China, it was during the Han dynasty that people dribbled leather balls by kicking it into a small net.
Recorded facts also support the fact that Romans and Greeks used to play ball for fun and frolic.
Some facts point to Kyoto in Japan where kicking of ball was a popular sport.
It is said that early growth of the modern soccer started in England.
Some amusing facts even mention that the first ball used was the head of some Danish prisoner.
It is said that during medieval times, the old form of soccer used to allow many ill practices like
kicking, punching, biting and gouging.
The main aim was to carry the ball to a target spot.
People grew so fond of the game that they would stay on the field all day long.
Sometimes the competition grew fierce and masses got so wild that there were frequent incidents of
violence during the game.
It is also said that soldiers admired the game so much that they missed archery practice to watch it.
King Edward III banned soccer in 1365 owing to the growing incidents of violence and military
indulgence in the sport.
In 1424 King James I of Scotland also proclaimed in Parliament that “No man shall play football”.
It is hard to answer, when and where soccer has precisely started.
You can easily say that this popular game has been played for more than three thousand years.
The nativity of modern-day soccer must be credited to Britain.
It was also known as association football, with Scotland and England being the co-founders of the
systematic game of soccer.
Modern History of Soccer: 18th Century Onward
In 1815, a major development took place that made soccer popular in Universities, Colleges and
Schools.
The popular English School, Eton College came forth with a set of rules, known as the Cambridge
Rules.
Football was segregated into two groups; some colleges and schools opted for Rugby rules that
allowed tripping, shin kicking and carrying the ball.
These rules were exclusively prohibited as per the Cambridge rules.
The history of modern-day soccer was established in 1863.
In October 1863, eleven representatives from London clubs and schools met at the Freemason’s
Tavern to set up common fundamental rules to control the matches amongst themselves.
The outcome of this meeting was the formation of the Football Association.
In December 1863, the Rugby Football and Association football finally split as the supporters of the
Rugby School rules walked out.
Firmly establishing the foundation of soccer in 1869, the Football Association strictly banned any kind
of handling of the ball.
Soccer’s popularity spread rapidly during the1800s as British sailors, traders and soldiers introduced
the sport to different parts of the globe.
Italians, Austrians and Germans drew to Europe, while Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil adopted the
sport in South America.
FIFA was established in the year 1904 and by early 1930s; different leagues were operating from
various countries.
FIFA is credited with organizing the first world cup in Uruguay.
The history of soccer is rich with events, development and its growing craze all over the world.
You will find yourself amazed as you learn about different times of this wonderful sport that has held
our awe and admiration for over 3000 years.
2
, THE HISTORY OF SOCCER
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas.
Early evidence of soccer being played as a sport finds occurrence in China during the 2nd and 3rd
centuries BC.
In China, it was during the Han dynasty that people dribbled leather balls by kicking it into a small net.
Recorded facts also support the fact that Romans and Greeks used to play ball for fun and frolic.
Some facts point to Kyoto in Japan where kicking of ball was a popular sport.
It is said that early growth of the modern soccer started in England.
Some amusing facts even mention that the first ball used was the head of some Danish prisoner.
It is said that during medieval times, the old form of soccer used to allow many ill practices like
kicking, punching, biting and gouging.
The main aim was to carry the ball to a target spot.
People grew so fond of the game that they would stay on the field all day long.
Sometimes the competition grew fierce and masses got so wild that there were frequent incidents of
violence during the game.
It is also said that soldiers admired the game so much that they missed archery practice to watch it.
King Edward III banned soccer in 1365 owing to the growing incidents of violence and military
indulgence in the sport.
In 1424 King James I of Scotland also proclaimed in Parliament that “No man shall play football”.
It is hard to answer, when and where soccer has precisely started.
You can easily say that this popular game has been played for more than three thousand years.
The nativity of modern-day soccer must be credited to Britain.
It was also known as association football, with Scotland and England being the co-founders of the
systematic game of soccer.
Modern History of Soccer: 18th Century Onward
In 1815, a major development took place that made soccer popular in Universities, Colleges and
Schools.
The popular English School, Eton College came forth with a set of rules, known as the Cambridge
Rules.
Football was segregated into two groups; some colleges and schools opted for Rugby rules that
allowed tripping, shin kicking and carrying the ball.
These rules were exclusively prohibited as per the Cambridge rules.
The history of modern-day soccer was established in 1863.
In October 1863, eleven representatives from London clubs and schools met at the Freemason’s
Tavern to set up common fundamental rules to control the matches amongst themselves.
The outcome of this meeting was the formation of the Football Association.
In December 1863, the Rugby Football and Association football finally split as the supporters of the
Rugby School rules walked out.
Firmly establishing the foundation of soccer in 1869, the Football Association strictly banned any kind
of handling of the ball.
Soccer’s popularity spread rapidly during the1800s as British sailors, traders and soldiers introduced
the sport to different parts of the globe.
Italians, Austrians and Germans drew to Europe, while Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil adopted the
sport in South America.
FIFA was established in the year 1904 and by early 1930s; different leagues were operating from
various countries.
FIFA is credited with organizing the first world cup in Uruguay.
The history of soccer is rich with events, development and its growing craze all over the world.
You will find yourself amazed as you learn about different times of this wonderful sport that has held
our awe and admiration for over 3000 years.
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