History of Soccer
Welcome to my history of soccer. In this article I’ll take you through some of the major advances in the development of the modern game. If you would like to know more about the distant roots of soccer, then just read my article on the origins of soccer which addresses that much earlier period of history. Otherwise, let’s press on with the growth of the modern game. I’ve divided this article into a few different sections of the game, so it’s not just one long line of narrative.
Let’s go!
The Governing Body
FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) is the world governing body of soccer. With its HQ in Zurich (Switzerland) the organisation was founded in 1904 and began admitting non-European members in 1909 when South Africa joined. Argentina and Chile were added in 1912, and the USA entered in 1913.
After the First World War the governing body had only 20 members but the legendary Jules Rimet took charge on 1st March 1921 to start a 33 year reign which would see the membership grow impressively to 85. Having left after WW1, Britain rejoined the ranks in 1946. Now FIFA has 208 memer countries – that’s more than the United Nations! It also represents 200 million active players.
The World Cup
The 1st FIFA World Cup opened in Montevideo on 18th July 1930. Only 4 European teams took part so, in retaliation, the champions Uruguay refused to enter the competition 4 years later in Italy. For the 1934 event there were no group stages, only knock out rounds, and Italy beat Czechoslovakia in the final. France hosted the tournament in 1938 on which occasion Italy were again victorious. Brazil hosted in 1950 after the Second World War, then it was Switzerland in 1954.
Since then the popularity and accessibility of soccer has grown exponentially. An audience of 37 billion people watched the France 98 World Cup, for example, including 2.7 million people at the football grounds themselves. In 2010 South Africa hosting the tournament marked a new era for the progression of African soccer on the world stage.
The Rules
In 1863 the Cambridge Rules were rewritten to form the game’s first coordinated regulations. Later the two teams in a match would each have an umpire, whilst a referee stood on the sidelines only to be consulted if the former two could not agree. In 1891 the referee took his place, however, and the umpires became linesmen or assistant referees.
The infamous offside rule underwent revision in 1866, 1925 and 1990, before the laws as a whole were revised in 1997 and a number of subsequent modifications have taken place. In 1958 substitutes were allowed for the first time, in 1970 the red and yellow cards were brought in, in 1992 the keeper is denied the chance to pick up a back pass, in 1994 the technical area was created, in 1996 linesmen became assistant referees, and the rest – as they say- is history.
The Kits
In the 1880s teams started to wear uniform kits for the first time, mainly consisting of knee-length socks and knitted jerseys. In the 1990s shorts became slightly shorter so that knees were visible, and striped shirts with collars became fashionable. By the 1930s there was much more variation, with shorts generally becoming shorter and baggier.
In the 1950s lightweight shirt fabrics were introduced and kit designs became more expressive. The 1960s saw plain, lightweight kits dominate, before the 1970s witnessed truly ’short shorts’ and the introduction of player numbers. The 1980s marked a trend towards even lightweight shirts, until the 1990s brought on a brief interlude of crazy patterns and colours. Nowadays teams generally have a home, away and third strip, each branded with the logo of the main kit sponsor. Goalkeeper jerseys are commonly a lot tighter than they once were, with less padding and greater style.
The Ball
The first footballs were inflated pigs’ bladders stuffed with straw or sawdust. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, this design has progressed slightly to animal bladders wrapped in leather. But the balls still lost their shape during games and became very heavy in wet conditions. Modern balls have since been made of leather or plastic with a waterproof coating, measuring 68-70 cm (27-28 inches) in circumference and weighing 410-450g (14-16 oz).
The Money
In 1885 English footballers turned professional so they could start being paid for their work. In 1901, however, the English Football Association set the maximum wage for a footballer at £4 per week. Since those humble beginnings the money involved in the game has gradually increased and, in recent years, as risen astronomically.
Indeed Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Machester United to Real Madrid was worth a world record breaking £80 million. Wages can now easily stretch to well over £100,000 per week, whilst the clubs and players alike are involved in mega-sponsorship deals raking in millions in revenue each year. So in many respects you could say the history of football has to a great extent become a history of money!
Well there we have it: the history of soccer on a single page. Of course there is much else to be said, but hopefully this article has served as a useful if brief summary of some of the main developments. If you would like to add any further information or insights, please feel free to do so in the comments section at the end.
Have fun,
Soccer Geek