STL All Sports

Early in the 16th Century some Irishmen in Dublin, ignoring the rule in England concerning football, created what is known today as Gaelic football. This emboldened the English to resume play at "futballe," but it was done furtively for many decades, until the ascent to the English throne in 1603 of James I of the House of Stuart.

By that time, firearms had succeeded archery as a superior means of attack in warfare. There was no further need for the subjects to sharpen up on bow and arrow practice. When an appeal was made to James to revoke the law of Henry and permit "futballe playe," James not only lifted the bars, which had been down for more than 4 centuries, but also gave the game his blessing. He said that he regarded football as a clean, honorable and manly pastime; one that tended to develop character, as well as the physical self, and that he sincerely hoped that England would resume football play with enthusiasm.

England did just that-and more. Football teams came into existence everywhere. Cities, towns and villages became famous-or otherwise-depending upon the prowess of their football teams. There was no national governing association, but play was reasonably standardized and where there was conflict in rules when different town teams faced each other, this was bridged by mutual agreement between the captains.

Football, from its start in England in the 11th Century until the middle of the 19th Century, was strictly a kicking game, first merely across a goal line. In the later years of revival, goal posts and cross bars came into existence. Picking up and running with the ball was barred and never happened until the year 1823 with the appearance of William Ellis of Rugby College.