History Of Soccer- The Evolution Of A Ball Game

Soccer started out in early Asia. Soccer was invented over 2000 years ago in China. They used human heads of their enemies for soccer balls. In most parts of the world soccer is also called football. It is one of the first organised sports. The Ancient Greeks  are known to have played many ball games, some of which involved the use of the feet which appear to resemble like football. 

The earliest record of soccer is of 1872 when the first international match was played between England and Scotland. In that match players not only wore “knickerbockers” or long pants but bobble hats or caps too.The ball used in the first club and country matches was not exactly round. Instead a pig’s bladder was blown up like a balloon, tied at the ends and placed inside a leather case, making it an egg shape. But later on with the discovery of Indian rubber in 1860 gave better and round shape.

Earlier the rules were completely different like there was no mention of a crossbar.  But some revolutionary changes took place when it was thought that football was very much an upper class sport in England during its infancy and the rules of the game were largely drafted by students belonging to public schools and universities. The working class adopted the sport during the late 19th Century. In the original rules penalties or referees found no place. It was only in the 20th Century that the penalty spot was introduced.

Many of football’s terms and expressions are of military origin: defence, back line, offside, winger, forward, attack, etc. The official rules were made in England.  There was also a soccer organization called FIFA invented in Europe. Ebenezer Cobb Morley is sometimes called the father of soccer. He was born in Hall but moved to Barnes. He drafted the first rules of soccer.

 The foundation of soccer was firmly established in 1869, the Football Association strictly banned any kind of handling of the ball. Soccer’s popularity spread rapidly during the 1800s 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. The history of soccer is rich with events, development and its growing craze all over the world. The first world cup was hosted in Uruguay and the credits are given to FIFA.  Thirteen nations took part in the event which saw four European teams make a 15 day boat ride only for there to get knocked out in the 1st round. Uruguay became world champions, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final.

The football association was established in October, 1863. The first meeting took place at the Freeman's Tavern London. The clubs represented in the meeting included Barnes, Blackheath, Perceval House, Kensington School, the war office, Crystal Palace, Forest, the Crusaders and No names of Kilburn. In 1885 Arbroath beat Bon Accord ina Scottish cup match by 36-0 which was the largest known win in professional win. 

Though football was considered a male sport, but it was not exactly true as women have been involved in the game since the late nineteenth century. It became increasingly popular during World War I when women had taken on the jobs traditionally done by men. The first team to compete in an international game against Paris was a ladies team from Preston. There was a brief ban after World War I made by the Football Association who deemed women’s football to be inappropriate. However, the formation of the English Women’s FA saw the ban eventually lifted in 1971. Since then women’s football has continued to grow in Britain and abroad. Some of the largest football clubs such as Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea all have female teams which compete at home and internationally.

There were various attempts been made to ban football games. This was especially the case in England and in other parts of Europe, during the Middle ages and early modern period. During 1324 and 1667, football was banned in England alone by more than 30 royal and local laws. The reasons for the ban by Edword III, on June 12, 1349, was given that football and other recreations distracted the people from practicing archery, which was necessary for war. So this was all about Soccer’s history, how it started and grew up especially in the European part of the world.