The Football Association

The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England (and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man).

History

Prior to the first meeting of the Football Association in the Freemason's Tavern in Great Queen Street, London on 26 October 1863, there were no universally accepted rules for the playing of the game of football. The founder members present at the first meeting were Barnes, WO (War Office) Club, Crusaders, Forest of Leytonstone (later to become Wanderers) , N.N. (No Names) Club (Kilburn), Crystal Palace (no relation to Crystal Palace F.C.), Blackheath F.C., Percival House (Blackheath), Surbiton and Blackheath Proprietary School; Charterhouse sent an observer but declined the offer to join. The first revision of the rules for the modern game was drawn up over a series of six meetings held in the social room of the public house from October till December. At the final meeting, the first FA treasurer who was the representative from Blackheath, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting, the first which allowed for the running with the ball in hand and the second, obstructing such a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other English rugby clubs followed this lead and did not join the FA but instead in 1871 formed the Rugby Football Union. An inaugural game using the new FA rules was initially scheduled for Battersea Park on 2 January 1864, but enthusiastic members of the FA couldn't wait for the new year and an experimental game was played at Mortlake on 19 December 1863 between Morley's Barnes team and their neighbours Richmond (who were not members of the FA), ending in a goalless draw. The Richmond side were obviously unimpressed by the new rules in practice because they subsequently helped form the RFU in 1871. The Battersea Park game was postponed for a week and the first exhibition game using FA rules was played there on Saturday 9 January 1864. The members of the opposing teams for this game were chosen by the President of the FA (A. Pember) and the Secretary (E. C. Morley) and included many well-known footballers of the day.

Related Topics:
London - 26 October - 1863 - Barnes - War Office - Wanderers - Kilburn - Crystal Palace F.C. - Blackheath F.C. - Charterhouse - Rules for the modern game - English rugby clubs followed this lead - 1871 - Rugby Football Union - Battersea Park - 2 January - 1864 - 19 December - Richmond - 9 January - E. C. Morley

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