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. |