1863How it all began ...

The 26 October 1863 is an important date in the history of football. On this day a meeting was held in London. The following day the Times published an interesting football story.

It was agreed that a tape must be stretched across the goal posts at a height of 8 feet

1865

1869

Goal Kicks were introduced

1872

1874

Shin guards were introduced

Umpires were mentioned in the laws for the first time.

The cross bar replaced the goal tape

Half time break for players was introduced

1875

1877

Game was limited to 90 minutes duration

The whistle was first used to control the game.

1878

1880

Clubs began to charge for admission and to pay players their lost wages plus expenses. (Players were only part-time)

Referees mentioned in the laws for the first time

A two handed throw-in was introduced

The cross bar was made compulsory

1882

1885

Professional players were allowed.

First professional played for England - James Forrest of Blackburn Rovers - his fee was ten shillings (50 pence)

Clubs paying weekly wages wanted regular weekly matches. William McGregor of Aston Villa formed the Football League with Twelve of the best clubs in England. They were:

Preston

Aston Villa

Wolverhampton

Blackburn

Bolton

West Bromwich Albion

Accrington

Everton

Burnley

Derby

Notts County

Stoke

The first champions were Preston North End.

1888

1890

Goal nets are used for the first time. The earliest goal net was stood behind the goal posts as a separate screen.

Penalty kicks were introduced

A referee and two linesmen replaced umpires

1891

1892

The Second Division was formed with 12 teams

Small Heath (Birmingham)

Sheffield United

Darwen

Grimsby

Ardwick

Burton Swifts

Northwich Victoria

Bootle

Lincoln

Crewe

Burslem (Port Vale)

Walsall

Referee was given complete control of the game

1894

1895

F A Cup was stolen from a shop window in Birmingham

The number of official laws of the game reached the modern number of 17. These concern:

The Field of Play

The Ball

Number of Players

Players' Equipment

Referee

Linesmen

Duration of the Game

The Start of Play

The Ball In & Out of Play

Method of Scoring

Offside

Fouls & Misconduct

Free Kick

Penalty Kick

Throw-In

Goal-Kick

Corner-Kick

1898

1899

Automatic promotion and relegation was introduced into the Football League.

Ibrox Park Glasgow 25 people were killed. Part of the Stand collapsed during a Scotland England International match.

1902

1904

FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football) was formed. This is the world governing body of football.

Goalkeepers were ordered to stay on their lines for penalty kicks.

1905

The goalkeeper must not handle the ball outside his own penalty area.

1912

1913

Opposing players must be at least 10 yards from the ball when a free kick is taken.

Third Division South of the Football League was formed.

The first football coupons for betting on the results of football matches were issued in Birmingham.

1920

1921

Third Division North of the Football League was formed.

The first FA Cup final played at Wembley. Watched by a record crowd, Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United 2-0.

1923

1924

It was ruled that a goal may be scored direct from a corner.

Huddersfield Town achieved the first hat trick of League Championships.

1926

1927

The first League match was broadcast on the radio. Arsenal v Sheffield United

Goalkeepers are ordered to stand still on their lines until a penalty kick is taken.

1929

1930

The First World Cup competition was held in Uruguay. No British team entered. The Cup was won by Uruguay.

First live TV transmission of Cup Final.

The 17 Laws of The Game were re-drafted into their modern form.

1938

1939

The numbering of players shirts was made compulsary.

The most famous shirt number of all - worn by Sir Stanley Matthews and David Beckham

5 September - Outbreak of Second World War

The Football League re-starts after the War

Burnden Park, Bolton. FA Cup tie Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City barriers collapse and 33 people died in the crush

1946

World record crowd watched the

World Cup Final

1950

1951

The use of a white football was permitted. Then it would be an 18 panel leather football with a lace up opening through which an inner bladder could be inflated.

Floodlighting is used for the
first time at a League match
(Portsmouth).

1956

1958

Munich Aeroplane crash. The Manchester United team were returning from a European cup match - 8 of their players were killed and 8 more injured

The League Cup was Launched.

1960

1966

The World Cup was hosted by England.

England won the Cup by defeating Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley

Ibrox Park - Glasgow Rangers v Celtic. 66 People died in a crush on a flight of stairs

1971

1973

The 3 teams up and 3 teams down method of promotion and relegation was introduced

The first Football League match was played on a Sunday.

1974

1976

Goal difference replaced goal average when clubs are equal on points

Yellow (warning) and Red (sending off) cards were introduced

Liverpool were the first English club to wear a sponsors name on their shirts

The first million pound transfer took place. TrevorFrancis Francis moved from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest.

1979

1985

Valley Parade, Bradford City were playing Lincoln City - 55 people died in a fire

End of season play-off matches for promotion and relegation were introduced

1987

1989

94 Fans were killed at the semi final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played at Hillsborough - Sheffield Wednesday's ground,

Final report of the enquiry by Lord Justice Taylor into the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. Recommendations to improve safety at all football grounds

1990

1991

Torquay United - first team to win promotion on a penalty shoot-out in the Fourth Division play-off final.

F A Premier League was formed

Doncaster Belles won the inaugural Women's National League with 11 straight victories.

1992

1993

FA assumed responsibility for
Women's Football

Premier League introduced squad numbers and names on shirts adandoning the 1 to 11 numbering used since 1939.

Arsenal became the first team to win the FA Cup and the League Cup in the same season.

World Cup in Unites States of America. Brazil beat Italy in the final played in Los Angeles in a penalty shoot-out after a no goals draw.

1994

1996

Euro '96 hosted by England. The final was played at Wembley Stadium. Germany beat the Czech Republic 2-1 with a 'golden goal' in extra time.

England was knocked out in the semi-final against Germany losing 6-5 on penalties after extra time.

World Cup hosted by France - home of the French lawyer Jules Rimet who pioneered the first World Cup tournament in 1930.

France won the trophy for the first time by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final in Paris.

1998

2002

Queen Elizabeth's Golden Juliee Year

World Cup was hosted jointly by Japan and South Korea. The final was played in Yokohama, about 30 miles from Tokyo.

Brazil beat Germany 2 - 0 to win the trophy for the 5th time.

World Cup was hosted by Germany. Italy played France in the final which was staged in Berlin. Italy won 5 - 3 on penalty goals.