The history of association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, stretches back to at least medieval times. FIFA cites Cuju in ancient China as the earliest form of a kicking game for w
Harrow School team of 1867
Old Etonians v Blackburn Rovers match. Illustration by S.T. Dadd, 1882
Sheffield F.C. (here pictured in 1876) is the oldest association club still active, having been founded in 1857
Drawing of the first international game by artist William Ralston
The Football Association
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The Football Association is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football associat
History of association football
…the mid-nineteenth century by the efforts of English football clubs to standardize the varying sets of football rules, culminating in the formation of The Football Association (The FA) in London, England, in 1863, and their issuing of the Laws of the Game in the same year. The "Laws of the Game" were later trusted to the…
Plaque commemorating the formation of the Football Association in 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern in London
Photo of an early handwritten draft of the 'Laws of the game' for association Football drafted for and behalf of the Football Association by Ebenezer Cobb Morley in 1863 on display at the National Football Museum, Manchester
The FA Cup trophy used from 1992 to 2013
The Prince of Wales is the current Patron of the FA.