Amateur Football Combination

Affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance, London F.A., Middlesex F.A. and Surrey F.A.

Spirit of Football

Playing in the Spirit of Football, Promoting Fair Play and Respect for All
Old Meadonians in 1 West                                                  Bob Coates away                                                  Old Camdenians withdrawal                                                  AFC 2 Arthurian League 0                                                      RBL Loughton Resignation                                                    Spring Cups 2012                                                    AFC Trophies due for Return                                                AFC League Roles 2012-13 - Get Involved                                                    Player Registration and Team Sheets                                                   SMS Results for Cup Games                                                   Double Headers                                                   Full-Time Passwords                                                    Full-Time Mobile Site                                                    AFC Club Ratings to 10th February 2012                                                    AFC Rules - Maximum Three Substitutes                                                    Match Day Reminders                                                  Spirit of Football/Respect Reminders for 2011-12

Evolution of the Game

Imagine how football used to be in the past. Below are a selection of ways the game has evolved over the years:-

1863 First set of FA Laws (14 in total) produced, but not used universally. Tripping, kicking, holding and pushing are banned.
1865 The two posts which constitute the goal are required to have a tape 8 feet from the ground under which the ball has to pass for a goal to be scored.
1872 The Wanderers beat the Royal Engineers 1-0 in the first FA Cup Final (played at the Kennington Oval). The first official football International was played between Scotland and England at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in Glasgow. The match finished 0-0.
1874 Use of shinguards becomes common.
1875 Solid crossbars start to replace the "tape".
1877 The FA and the Sheffield Association agree on a single set of Laws of the Game.
1878 A referee's whistle is used for the first time in an FA Cup match between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield.
1880 Throw-ins are allowed to be taken in any direction (previously the ball had to be thrown in at right angles to the touchline).
1881 Players can no longer be offside at corners.
1883 Crossbars become compulsory.
1885 Creation of the International Football Association Board as the single authority on the Laws.
1888 The Football League was formed - founder members:- Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers. 
1891 Penalty kick introduced. Goal nets used for the first time. The two umpires are moved to the touchline and are replaced by a Referee on the field (previously the referee had been on the pitch side and made a decision only the two umpires could not agree).
1892 Two handed throw-in becomes legal.
1895 Dimensions of the goal standardised.
1896 FA publishes the first "Referees' Chart" (now known as the Laws of Association Football).
1897 Laws specify for the first time that matches should be 90 minutes long (previously it had only been by custom).
1898 Laws reach 17 in number and have remained as such ever since.
1902 Penalty area and halfway line introduced.
1904 FIFA formed.
1905 Goalkeeper is required to stay on his goal-line until the penalty kick is taken.
1907 Players can only be offside within the opponents' half (previously they could be offside anywhere on the field). Amateur Football Association formed by members of the London Football Association dissatisified with London FA accepting professional clubs.
1912 Goalkeeper is restricted to handling the ball in his own penalty area (previously the goalkeeper could handle it anywhere in his own half).
1913 Distance opponents must retire at free kicks increased to ten yards (previously it was six yards).
1920 Players can no longer be offside from a throw-in.
1923 Laws of the Game state for the first time that matches are 11-a-side. Previously the captains had agreed the numbers on each side although the FA Cup always required 11-a-side.
1924 Concept of "interfering with play" introduced to the offside Law. Goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
1925 Offside changed so that a player is not offside if two opponents are nearer their own goal-line (previously three opponents had to be nearer).
1929 Goalkeepers not allowed to move their feet until penalty kick is taken.
1930 The first World Cup was played in Uruguay, the home nation beating Argentina 4-2 in the final.
1935 Amateur Football Association renamed as Amateur Football Alliance.
1937 The penalty arc of a radius of 10 yards from the penalty spot is introduced.
1958 Substitutes for an injured goalkeeper and one other injured player are permitted.
1967 Requirement for a player to be injured before being substituted is removed.
1970 Red and Yellow cards introduced.
1974 FA abolish the distinction between Professional and Amateur Status. FA Amateur Cup abolished and replaced by the FA Vase.
1990 Shinguards made compulsory. A player who is "level" with the second last defender is no longer offside.
1992 Goalkeeper banned from handling the ball if it is deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.
1993 Red and Yellow cards made mandatory at all levels of football.
1995 Linesmen re-named as Assistant Referees. Offside Law clarified to distinguish between an offside "position" and an offside "offence" by introduction of the concept of "active play".
1996 Referees no longer required to judge the "intent" of a player when challenging for the ball.
1997 Goal may be scored direct from the kickoff and goal kick. Cautionable offence of "ungentlemanly conduct" renamed as "unsporting conduct". Goalkeepers allowed to move their feet before a penalty kick is taken.

 

General Information Index