Why football is so popular: The history of this amazing game
Why Football is So Popular: The History of This Amazing Game
Football, known as the "beautiful game," has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. Its popularity stretches back to ancient times, although we primarily discuss modern football from the latter half of the 19th century, when it began to evolve, particularly in the United Kingdom. And arguably, the historical development is one of the main reasons why football is so beloved in England, where there are over 40,000 registered clubs.
Thanks to its popularity among people, professional development, and the growth of competitions, football has become a part of global culture, uniting people worldwide.
Let's explore the history of football and why it enjoys such immense popularity.
From the Aztecs, Through China, to Rome
Looking into ancient history, we find references to team ball games dating back roughly three thousand years in ancient Aztec cultures. The ball was made of rubber, and the game was called Tchatali.
Some of these games had a ritualistic aspect, where the ball symbolized the sun. The captain of the losing team was then sacrificed to the gods.
In China, a game involving kicking a ball emerged around the 3rd to 2nd century BC, called Cuju or Ts'u-chü. The ball was round, stitched from leather, and stuffed with fur or feathers. It was predominantly participated in by soldiers before spreading to the common people.
Another version of the game appeared in Greece, where the ball was made of leather and filled with hair.
The Greek way of playing subsequently spread to Rome, where the games were seen as entertainment. They also served to strengthen physical strength and mental balance.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, there was a decline in ball games. Records of them have been preserved thanks to medieval monasteries, where they later also became popular.
Medieval Form of the Game
According to the earliest surviving reports, football in the Middle Ages developed primarily in France, Italy, and England, where it became very popular. It was mostly played in the streets of cities, villages, and on meadows, with a very large number of people participating.
The goal was to fight for the ball and transport it to one of the city gates. Due to the abundant participation and the rough style of play, which included fistfights, property destruction and occasionally fatal injuries occurred. This led to the issuance of municipal or royal decrees banning the game.
In the 17th century, the streets of London came alive again with games similar to football. And also in schools, sports activities were introduced to prevent students from becoming "hooligans" and vandals. Especially in Cambridge, Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse, Rugby, Shrewsbury, and Westminster. Each of them, however, used its own and constantly changing rules adapted to local conditions.
Two main forms gradually emerged, with one allowing the ball to be carried in the hands (the precursor to rugby), and the other played exclusively with the feet.
The first rules and the establishment of the Football Association
With the gradual technological development, there was also an increase in competitiveness among schools. Therefore, there was a need to standardize the rules of the game. In 1848, a meeting was held in Cambridge with 14 representatives from schools, which partially unified the rules.
Among them, there was no mention of the type, size, or weight of the ball, the dimensions of the goal and field, the definition of referees, the number of players, or the length of play. Similarly, the consequences for not adhering to these regulations were not determined.
A significant milestone is counted in the year 1863, when the first Football Association was founded in England.
The rules established by the association prohibited rough body play (hacking), carrying the ball with hands, and holding or tripping an opponent with the ball.
As some disagreed with the changes prohibiting hacking, a second group was formed, which in 1871 founded the Rugby Football Union, leading to the separation of rugby from association football.
The game continued to evolve, and some rules remained flexible. For example, the number of players on the field could vary, and jerseys were not used to distinguish teams.
It was not until 1870 that the number of players was standardized to ten outfield players and one goalkeeper. A year later, the role of a neutral referee was established, and only the goalkeeper was allowed to handle the ball with hands.
Competitions and popularization of football
Obliba fotbalu v Anglii rostla a postupně tak vzniklo i několik soutěží. Před založení FA Cupu náleželo asociaci pouze 50 týmů. Pohár pomohl s popularizací fotbalu a v roce 1877 došlo k připojení Sheffieldské asociace, čímž se členská základna rozšířila na 128 klubů.
V roce 1872 se také uskutečnil první mezinárodní zápas mezi Anglií a Skotskem, který skončil bezbrankovou remízou.
Model Anglického poháru a založení anglické ligy inspirovaly soutěže i v dalších zemích. Turnaje řídila organizace zvaná The Association Football Union.
Prvním mistrem Anglie se stal v roce 1889 Preston North End, který si rovnou zapsal vítězný double, tedy úspěch v lize i v poháru.
Key rule changes since 1886
On June 2, 1886, the first meeting of the organization called the International Football Association Board took place, comprising representatives from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. In 1913, a delegate from the international football federation FIFA, established in Paris in 1904, joined them.
The Board members annually decided on rule changes through their voting. In 1891, an Irish proposal led to their revision.
- In 1890, goal nets were introduced.
- In 1891, the penalty kick was introduced, which could be taken from any point on a special twelve-yard line.
- In 1907, offside was no longer applicable in one's own half of the field.
- In 1912, goalkeepers were allowed to handle the ball within their penalty area (previously allowed across the entire field with the option to throw the ball into the opponent's goal).
- In 1925, the offside rule changed. To remain in play, a player needed to have two opponents between them and the goal, rather than the previous three.
H2: The origins of professional football
Počátky profesionální fotbalové hry spadají na sever Anglie, ačkoli první profesionální hráči pocházeli ze Skotska. Skotské kluby totiž hrávaly útočnějším způsobem založeným na přihrávkách, což jim přineslo více úspěchů.
V roce 1872 došlo při mezinárodním utkání Skotska a Anglie sice k remíze, ale následující roky zvítězili Skotové v devíti a Angličané ve dvou případech.
V roce 1879 jeden bezvýznamný klub pracovníků s bavlnou Darwen z Lancashiru remizoval s Old Etonians. Později bylo zjištěno, že za anglický klub hráli dva skotští hráči, Fergus Suter a James Love. K setrvání v Anglii byli prý přemluveni po přátelském utkání s Patrick Thistle anglickými funkcionáři, kteří jim slíbili velmi dobré platové podmínky za odehraná utkání s místním fotbalovým klubem.
Tento případ ještě neznamenal pravidlo placeného přestupu hráčů. Kluby si ho mohly dovolit pouze v případě dostatečného množství černých peněz a vše se dělo proti pravidlům Fotbalové asociace, pro niž fotbal znamenal stále jen amatérskou hru.
Jižní kluby tvořené bývalými hráči škol odmítaly proti těm profesionálním nastupovat, což nakonec vyřešil sekretář FA Charles Alcock. Ačkoli patřil k zastáncům amatérismu, v profesionalismu spatřoval nevyhnutelný progres hry.
V roce 1885 se Fotbalová asociace usnesla na zlegalizování profesionálního fotbalu.
U skotských sousedů došlo k povolení profesionální fotbalové dráhy až v roce 1893. Přesto do té chvíle zaměstnávaly místní kluby fotbalisty hrající za peníze načerno.
H3: The establishment of the English league as a source of income
The Football Association subsequently needed to secure a source of income to ensure steady earnings for professional players. Friendly matches, which were left for teams after being eliminated from the English Cup, didn't generate much revenue.
Therefore, in 1886, a long-term competition in the form of the English League was established to guarantee a sufficient number of attractive matches and fill the coffers.
The popularity of football soared even more, as countless young men could now earn a living by kicking a ball instead of enduring hard labor in factories. Moreover, they received relatively decent wages.
In 1901, the highest salary for professional players was around £4 per week. By 1910, wages had risen to £5, and by 1920, they had climbed to £9.
The introduction of a maximum wage was also implemented, among other reasons, to prevent wealthier clubs from attracting quality players and thereby weakening the poorer ones.
Historical football equipment
Heavy balls filled with a urinary bladder
With the development of football rules over the years, the equipment of players has also evolved. From leather balls filled with feathers, there was a transition to balls filled, for example, with pig bladder, chosen for its elasticity and ability to retain air. Bladders were sewn inside the leather, which formed the surface of the football.
One disadvantage of these balls was their potential to absorb water in bad weather. At that moment, it was very difficult to kick them, and heading was out of the question.
The size of the ball was flexible until 1872 when the Football Association set the circumference of the ball at 68-73 cm.
Heavy cotton jerseys and pumps)
Hráči na středních školách nosívali kvalitnější dresy než ti amatérští, odění do nesourodých dresů a kalhot se sponami. Školské dresy byly barevné a vysoce vzorované podobné žokejovým dresům. Nebo vypadaly jako pruhovaná pyžama. Dospělí hráči hráli v těžkých bavlněných košilích doplněných o pumpky pod koleny sepnutými knoflíky, které byly nahrazeny trenkami zhruba okolo roku 1905.
Až s rozvojem profesionálního fotbalu se i dospělí hráči začali stylizovat do středoškolských elegantních dresů, jejichž styl a barvy se zpočátku dost měnily. Dresy měly různé knoflíky, zapínání, límce.
Dříve těžší materiály postupně nahrazovaly ty odlehčenější a upnutější.
Velký zmatek způsoboval shodný oděv brankáře a spoluhráčů. Ale od roku 1909 se Fotbalová asociace rozhodla, že brankář musí nosit dres červené nebo modré barvy a do roku 1912 přidala ještě zelenou. Do 50. let 20. století navíc nechyběl brankářům rolák.
Nails in cleats were replaced by studs.
When it comes to cleats, initially they were shoes with nails. Later, these were abandoned and replaced by ordinary shoes. Gradually, cleats with studs became widespread, allowing for better movement on the field in any weather.
Leather boots extended above the ankles, where patches were sewn on to accommodate extra protectors. The downside of these cleats was their stiffness. It took a long time for players to put them on and get used to them.
Why is football so popular?
Football is one of the most popular sports with the highest number of fans worldwide.
It doesn't discriminate based on race, social, financial, or religious background. It is simply accessible to all.
It is recognized across various cultures worldwide.
Football builds communities and social cohesion. Every football club has enthusiastic fans who identify with it and support it. It brings people together and gives them a sense of belonging.
Football creates job opportunities for many who want to be associated with the club off the field. Football events are significant for organizations and coordinators.
Players have a positive influence on other players, who aspire to develop their skills and emulate their respected idols. Many young people see their favorite players as heroes on the field.
