History of Soccer - You will be amazed how it started!
Did you know that the origins of history of soccer began as a military exercise? The game started out to be a skill building exercise in China during the Han Dynasty, perhaps around the 2nd century BC. There is evidence that even the Greeks and Ancient Romans played a part in the history of soccer when it was discovered that a popular ball-kicking game, much like modern soccer, although in the early version teams could consist of up to 27 players! Can you picture 27 players on a field at once? Although we can’t pinpoint a specific time where and when the game started, it is reasonable to assume that the history of soccer began somewhere over 3000 years ago.
In England, the history of soccer started as a war game! There is a story which tells about a ‘football’ game, as it was, and is, called by the British, where the locals played with the severed head of a Danish Prince they defeated in battle! In medieval times, teams made up players from rival towns and villages played a game where the object of the game was to move the ball to an agreed upon spot. Hundreds of people took part and games could last all day. Kicking, punching, biting, even gouging was allowed. These games became so violent that many Kings and Queens made attempts to ban ‘football’. Historians tell us that the history of soccer couldn’t be stopped by a law in Britain; it was too popular a pastime activity.
Beginning in 1815 the great academy, Eton College, established their own history of soccer. Here is where the concept of rules was introduced for the sport. By 1848 most of England’s Universities and Colleges adapted for their safety, the Cambridge Rules. Other colleges and schools would continue to have rules, although they preferred rules drawn up by the Rugby School permitting tripping, shin-kicking, and carrying the ball. The history of soccer changed yet again when at a local tavern several schools and clubs met and wrote a new set of rules which forbade any handling of the ball. They became known as the Football Association.
The supporters of the Rugby Schools would not back up these new rules. So they each put down their cup and walked out of the meeting. Here the history of soccer took another turn. The Football Association and Rugby Football split in two separate sports. In 1869 the Football Association established rules in which there would be no handling of the ball. This is where the foundation for the history of soccer began that the world knows today.