| So many cultures have a game similar to soccer, that | | | | The earliest set of rules can be found to be originating |
| is very difficult to actually say when the game first | | | | from Eaton college in 1815. At this point modern soccer |
| originated. At least 3000 years ago, there was a ball | | | | appears to be born. |
| being kicked around in a field somewhere. Not sure | | | | It still had much more in common with the Rugby than |
| however that there would have been many similarities | | | | the football that we see today. Carrying the ball would |
| to the modern game. | | | | have been allowed. As would the tripping and kicking |
| The Chinese kicked a hair filled ball around in 50 B.C. It | | | | of opponents. It was not until 1863 that split was made. |
| is known that China had a match against Japan | | | | Rugby and football were now different games. Six |
| around this time. The consequences of losing may | | | | years later the separation was finally made permanent |
| have been somewhat more severe than they are | | | | when football rules forbade any handling of the ball |
| today. | | | | whatsoever. |
| The Romans play the game that had links to modern | | | | After only eight years the football Association had |
| football, but there were some major differences. Each | | | | grown to 50 clubs. The FA Cup was born this year, |
| team consisted of 27 players. I can only imagine that | | | | astonishingly it was another 17 years before a league |
| the pitch must have been considerably longer than | | | | formed. |
| today. Apparently this version of the game was so | | | | Today soccer is practised and watched by every |
| violent that often more than two thirds of the | | | | continent in the world. Players today can earn a |
| participants would end up hospitalised. | | | | fortune. With huge TV contracts and massive support |
| It was not until the 1800s that something resembling the | | | | the marketing and business world has taken over. The |
| modern game took shape. In northern England, whole | | | | face of the game has changed forever, but support |
| villages or towns would regularly take on each other. | | | | for the modern game continues to grow year after |
| These were often violent affairs as well. | | | | year. |