Football: The Association Game/Chapter 1

by Charles William Alcock

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHAPTER I.

THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION.

Any treatise on latter-day football would be incomplete without a sketch of the events which led to the formation of the Football Association. The modern revival of football, indeed, practically dates from the inception of that organization, the largest of the many societies which now direct the forces of football. The institution of the Association, as a matter of fact, marked the first attempt to bring the many different sects into which football players were then divided under the control of one central body. Forty years ago there was little or no football outside the public schools. In some of them it still lingered, the survival, in a modified form of course, of the rough and semi-barbarous sport of the last century. Even in the majority of these, though, it only occupied a comparatively inferior position, regarded merely as a part of the curriculum of physical training. An occasional visit of a team of Old Boys would arouse a little excitement, but only of a transient character, and with the arrival of spring the schoolboy's fancy would lightly turn to thought of other games. What was worse, too, in many cases the schools had special codes of their own. Every one did what was right in his own eyes, and the consequence was a number of games widely different in character, and some of them so divergent as to present, according to outward appearance, no real basis of agreement.

It was to assimilate these conflicting elements, and to harmonize them under the influence of a common set of laws, that the Association first saw the light. At the outset, too, its success seemed to be well assured. At a meeting held at the Freemasons' Tavern on October 26, 1863, the Association was formally instituted by a resolution to the effect, "That the clubs represented at this meeting now form themselves into an Association, to be called 'The Football Association,'" The names of those who were present will show that there was then at least an honest desire on the part of all who were concerned to prepare a code of rules which would unite all football players under one common and reliable head. The N.N.'s of Kilburn were represented by Mr. Arthur Pember, who was subsequently elected the first President of the Association; Barnes, by Mr. E. C Morley, who was for the first few years Hon. Secretary; the War Office Football Club sent Mr. E. Wawn; the Crusaders, Mr. H. T. Steward; the Forest club, Leytonstone, Mr. J. F. Alcock; the Crystal Palace club, Mr. F. Day. The Rugby clubs, too, were hardly in a minority, as Blackheath, Kensington School, Surbiton, Blackheath Proprietary School, Percival House (Blackheath) each sent a delegate. So far everything augured favourably for the formation of a body which would secure the adhesion of football players of every sect. The first election of officers, too, was conducted in a broad spirit. Mr. Arthur Pember, of the N.N.'s, who had taken a prominent part in the organization, as well as in the successful conduct of the inaugural meeting, was, as already stated, appointed the first President Mr. E. C. Morley, of the Barnes club, also well known on the Thames side as an amateur oarsman, another supporter of what I may term, for purposes of distinction, the dribbling game, had the distinction of being chosen the first Hon. Secretary; while the adherents of the Rugby game also had a share in the original management in the selection of Mr. G. Campbell, of the Blackheath club, to the post of Treasurer.

Constituted as the meeting was with a fair representation of both sides of football opinion, it is not to be wondered at that the initial stages of the movement for federation were marked by a certain amount of harmony. At that time Eton, Winchester, Westminster, Harrow, Rugby, and Charterhouse were recognized as the leading schools, and, with a view to amalgamate, if possible, their six codes into one uniform set of rules, the Hon* Secretary was instructed to procure the opinions of the different captains on the best means of adapting the various games to admit of a code that would be generally satisfactory. At the same time, as the result of a lengthy discussion, on November 10, it was resolved that the Hon. Secretary should draw up rules to be submitted to a subsequent meeting on the following lines:—

1. The length of the ground should not exceed 200 yards.
2. The width of the ground should not exceed 100 yards.
3. The goals should be defined by two upright posts, without any tape or bar across the top of them.
4. That a goal should be scored whenever the ball was kicked between the goal-posts or over the spaces between them.
5. That the goal-posts be 8 yards apart.
6. That the game be commenced by a place-kick from the centre of the ground.
7. The losing side should be entitled to the kick-off.
8. The goals should be changed after each goal is won.
9. That when the ball is out of bounds it should be kicked or thrown in straight by the person who should first touch it down.

The discussion of the proposed laws was a week later resumed, and it was resolved that in addition to the rules amended to be drawn up at the last meeting, the Hon. Secretary should draw up rules to be submitted to a subsequent meeting, to the effect that—

10. A player is "out of play" immediately he is in front of the ball, and must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball is kicked by his own side past a player, he may not touch or kick it, or advance until one of the other side has first kicked it, or one of his own side on a level with or in front of him has been able to kick it.
11. In case the ball goes behind the goal-line. If the side to whom the goal belongs touches the ball down, one of that side to be entitled to a free kick from the goal-line opposite the place where the ball is touched down. If touched down by one of the opposite side, one of such side shall be entitled to a free kick (place or drop) from a point fifteen yards outside the goal-line opposite the place where the ball is touched down.
12. A player is to be entitled to run with the ball in his hands if he makes a fair catch, or catches the ball on the first bound.
13. A player may be hacked on the front of the leg below the knee while running with the ball.
14. Tripping shall not be allowed except when running with the ball.
15. A player may be held when running with the ball.
16. Hands shall not be used against an adversary except when he is running with the ball.
17. A fair catch is to be when the ball is caught coming directly oflf an adversary's foot or body. A catch from behind goal or out of touch is not a fair catch.
18. Any player is to be allowed to charge another, provided they are both in active play.
19. No one wearing projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha on the soles or heels of his boots be allowed to play.
20. A player may pass the ball to another player if he makes a fair catch or takes the ball on the first bound.
21. A knock-on is from the hand only.
22. A fair catch is to entitle a player to a free kicky provided he makes a mark with his heel at once, and in order to take such kick, the player may go as far back as he pleases.
23. A goal is to be scored when the ball passes over the space between the goal-posts at whatever height, not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.

A glance at this experimental code will show, as I have already said, that there was, at the inception of the Association, an honest intention on both sides to secure, if possible, a fusion of the two games in the general interest of the game. The chief provisions of the rules in forc^ at Rugby were inserted with a view to a probable compromise. The goal was that in use at Harrow, without any cross-bar; but there was a clause to admit of a free kick (place or drop) in the event of a touch-down by the attacking side, as well as one to allow a fair catch. Further than this. running with the ball in the case of a fair catch or on the first bound was allowed, and even the worst features of the Rugby game, hacking and tripping when running with the ball, were duly provided for.

Looking back by the light of subsequent experience, it seems a pity that the spirit of mutual concession which marked the first stage of the negotiations between the fathers of the Association and Rugby games should not have been maintained until the conferences were brought to a satisfactory issue. It is difficult, though, at the same time, I am bound to confess, to see what compromise could have been effected which would have ensured an amalgamation of rules so utterly dissimilar in their main principles, with one difference at least which seemed likely to prove an obstacle to anything like a permanent settlement.

In the mean time, while the leaders of the two great sects into which football players were practically divided, were seeking, and earnestly, a basis for mutual agreement, representatives of the principal schools had met at Cambridge with a similar object, to arrange rules which should unite them all under one common head. Of the committee appointed to draw up these rules, the Rev. R. Burn, of Shrewsbury School, was the chairman, Eton was represented by Messrs. R. H. Blake-Humfrey and W. F. Trench; Rugby, by Messrs. W. R. Collyer and M. F. Martin; Harrow, by Messrs. J. F. Prior and H. R. Williams; Marlborough, by Mr. W, P. Crawley; and Westminster, by Mr. W. S. Wright In these rules a player touching the ball down behind the opposite line was allowed a free kick twenty-five yards straight out from the goal-line. There was no mention, though, of running with the ball; and, though there was a stipulation allowing charging, holding, pushing with the hands, tripping up, and running were strictly forbidden. It was, in reality, this Cambridge code which proved to be the rock on which the supporters of the two games split Still, before this it had been growing more and more apparent that there was little or no possibility of a fusion of the two conflicting interests. It was not until the meeting of the Association, held on November 24, 1863, however, that the irreconcilables came to an actual rupture. A proposal, "That the rules of the Cambridge University embrace the true principles of the game with the greatest simplicity, and, therefore, that a committee be appointed to enter into communication with the committee of the University, to endeavour to induce them to modify some of the rules which appear to the Association to be too lax and liable to give rise to disputes," was declared to be carried in preference to an amendment proposed by Mr. Campbell on behalf of the Blackheath club, merely asserting that the Cambridge rules were "worthy of consideration." The rejection of this amendment was the first step in the ultimate severance of the two parties upholding respectively the dribbling and the running games. It was not, though, until a fortnight later that the formal withdrawal of the Blackheath club destroyed finally the last hope of a fusion of the rival interests.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held on December 1, an objection was lodged by the representative of the Blackheath to the confirmation of the previous minutes, on the ground that the chairman had taken the votes in favour of the amendment above referred to, and not those against it, so that the record of the meeting was not correct. The minutes, though, were confirmed, with the reservation in the shape of a formal protest from the Blackheath division.

The question of "hacking" was the rock on which the two parties struck. A proposition that the committee do insist on hacking in their communication with Cambridge had been carried by a bare majority of one vote, only to be reversed in a subsequent conference.

The discussion at this same meeting of December 1, 1863, furnishes such strange reading by the light of public opinion at the present time, that it will be of interest to recapitulate some of the arguments that were adduced on the subject of hacking, pro and con The rules which practically caused the disruption between the two sections were as follows:—

"9. A player shall be entitled to run with the ball towards his adversaries' goal if he makes a fair catch, or catches the ball on the first bound; but in the case of a fair catch, if he makes his mark, he shall not then run.

"10. If any player shall run with the ball towards his adversaries' goal, any player on the opposite side shall be at liberty to charge, hold, trip, or hack him, or wrest the ball from him j but no player shall be held and hacked at the same time."

Here was, in fact, the cause of the whole disagreement. The Sheffield club, the earliest organization as far as I can find for the development of football, had just given in its adhesion to the Association, at the same time, in offering its opinion on the new code, expressing its disapproval of the rules just given, especially of the second, which it declared to be more suggestive of wrestling. The actual opposition, though, was led by Mr. J. F. Alcock, captain of the Forest Football Club, which was formed in 1859, and was practically the first football combination in London on anything like a proper basis. Mr. E. C. Morley, of the Barnes club, the Hon. Secretary of the Association, however, opened the attack with the objection, that though he was of opinion that hacking was more dreadful. in name and on paper than in reality, if it were introduced no one who had arrived at years of discretion would play the game, and that, in consequence, it would be entirely relinquished to schoolboys.

Mr. Campbell's counterblast in favour of hacking was not lacking in force, and it may be interesting to reproduce his arguments verbatim.

"Hacking," he said, "was the true football game, and if you looked into the Winchester records you would find that in former years men were so wounded, that two of them were actually carried off the field, and they allowed two others to occupy their places and finish the game. Lately, however, the game had become more civilized than that state of things, which certainly was to a certain extent brutal. As to not liking hacking as at present carried on, he thought they had no business to draw up such a rule at Cambridge, and that it savoured far more of the feelings of those who liked their pipes and grog or schnaps more than the manly game of football. He was of opinion that the reason why they objected to hacking was because too many of the members of the clubs began late in life, and were too old for that spirit of the game which is so fully entered into at the public schools and by public schoolmen in after-life. If you did away with hacking, he foretold that all the courage and pluck of the game would be done away with; and he finally created great amusement by suggesting that he would bring over a lot of Frenchmen, who would beat the exponents of the proposed code with a week's practice."

Mr. Campbell's realistic feature of the delights of hacking, however, did not seem to have any appreciable effect; and, indeed, the rule providing a penalty for its practice was carried by thirteen to four.

Intimation had meanwhile been given by those representing the non-contents that, in the event of the rejection of the principle of hacking the Blackheath party would be compelled to secede, and the formal notification of the withdrawal of the Blackheath club was duly made at the following meeting, held at the Freemasons' Tavern on December 8, 1863. The new code adopted on that occasion, while admitting for a try at goal, had disallowed running with the ball and passing, as well as tripping and hacking. The first of these was, of course, the raison d'être of the Rugby game, and the abolition of running would have meant such a radical alteration in the constitution of football, that it can hardly be a surprise to find those who had been educated in the mysteries of that particular kind of game opposed to a sweeping reform, which would have reduced them to the necessity of unlearning the lessons of their boyhood, and schooling themselves in a, to a great extent, different game. The withdrawal of the Blackheath club from the Football Association, December 8, 1863, destroyed the last remaining hope of an assimilation of existing differences. Since that time football players have been divided into two great camps, the one favouring the Association, the other the Rugby game, wide as the poles asunder, though at the same time perfectly friendly rivals.

The code of December 8, 1863, the first issued by the Football Association, will be interesting as indicative of the comparatively slight changes that have been made in the Association game since it first became popular thirty years ago.

1. The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards; the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards; the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, 8 yards apart, without any tape or bar across them.
2. A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced by a place-kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss. The other side shall not approach within ten yards of the ball until it is kicked oft
3. After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won.
4. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-posts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.
5. When the ball is in touch, the first player who touches It shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground in a direction at right angles with the boundary line, and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground.
6. When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal-line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatsoever prevent any other player from doing so until he is in play; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked off from behind the goal-line,
7. In case the ball goes behind the goal-line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal-line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched. If a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick at the goal, only from a point fifteen yards outside the goal-line, opposite the place where the ball is touched, the opposing side standing within the goal-line until he has had his kick.
8. If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once; and in order to take such kick he may go as far back as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked
9. No player shall run with the ball,
10. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.
11. A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands.
12. No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his hands under any pretence whatever while it is in play.
13. No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha on the soles or heels of his boots.

Definition of Terms.

A Place Kick is a kick at the ball while it is on the ground, in any position which the kicker may choose to place it.

A Free Kick is the privilege of kicking the ball, without obstruction, in such manner as the kicker may think fit.

A Fair Catch is when the ball is caught, after it has touched the person of an adversary, or has been kicked or knocked on by an adversary, and before it has touched the ground or one of the side catching it; but if the ball is kicked behind the goal-line, a fair catch cannot be made.

Hacking is kicking an adversary.

Tripping is throwing an adversary by the use of the legs.

Holding includes the obstruction of a player by the hand or any part of the arm below the elbow.

Touch is that part of the field, on either side of the ground, which is beyond the line of flags.