Throughout the history of mankind, the urge to kick at stones and other such objects is thought to have led to many early activities involving kicking and/or running with a ball. In Europe, early footballs were made out of animal bladders, more specifically pig's bladders, which were inflated. Later leather coverings were introduced to allow the ball to keep their shape. However, in 1851, Richard Lindon and William Gilbert, both shoemakers from the town of Rugby (near the school), exhibited both round and oval-shaped balls at the Great Exhibition in London. Richard Lindon's wife is said to have died due to lung disease caused by blowing up pig's bladders.Lindon also won medals for the invention of the "Rubber inflatable Bladder" and the "Brass Hand Pump".
In 1855, the U.S. inventor Charles Goodyear— who had patented vulcanized rubber — exhibited a spherical football, with an exterior of vulcanized rubber panels, at the Paris Exhibition Universelle. The ball was to prove popular in early forms of football in the U.S.A.
Sheffield Football Club, founded in 1857 in the English city of Sheffield, by former Harrow School pupils Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, was later recognised as the world's oldest club playing association football.
Slowly and steadily it grew into force and on the evening of October 26,1863 representatives of several football clubs in the London Metropolitan area met for the inaugural meeting of The Football Association (FA).
This game has seen the birth of great legends in the form of Pele, Ferec Puskás in the 50's and 60's, the brilliance of Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cryuff in the 70's, the spoilt genius Maradona and Gascogine to the midas touch of Zizou and Ronaldniho. It is a game which has left a bittersweet effect on all of us who have followed down the years. It has seen the images of a team from Africa having odds of 1000/1 defeat the defending champions, team coming from 3-0 down in a half to win the most coveted trophy in club competitions , but with good memories comes the bitter ones in the Heysel disaster which marred the Champions League final between Liverpool and Juventus to the continuous rascist taunts at the coloured players till date.
Its a game which has bought billions together and will continue to do so till the world cease to exist and still the images of this beautiful game will last forever.
In 1855, the U.S. inventor Charles Goodyear— who had patented vulcanized rubber — exhibited a spherical football, with an exterior of vulcanized rubber panels, at the Paris Exhibition Universelle. The ball was to prove popular in early forms of football in the U.S.A.
Sheffield Football Club, founded in 1857 in the English city of Sheffield, by former Harrow School pupils Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, was later recognised as the world's oldest club playing association football.
Slowly and steadily it grew into force and on the evening of October 26,1863 representatives of several football clubs in the London Metropolitan area met for the inaugural meeting of The Football Association (FA).
This game has seen the birth of great legends in the form of Pele, Ferec Puskás in the 50's and 60's, the brilliance of Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cryuff in the 70's, the spoilt genius Maradona and Gascogine to the midas touch of Zizou and Ronaldniho. It is a game which has left a bittersweet effect on all of us who have followed down the years. It has seen the images of a team from Africa having odds of 1000/1 defeat the defending champions, team coming from 3-0 down in a half to win the most coveted trophy in club competitions , but with good memories comes the bitter ones in the Heysel disaster which marred the Champions League final between Liverpool and Juventus to the continuous rascist taunts at the coloured players till date.
Its a game which has bought billions together and will continue to do so till the world cease to exist and still the images of this beautiful game will last forever.
1 comment:
pretty succinct history, i must say! though may not b of much use to those who care only abt d last n present season, it provides illuminating nuggets of info to football-knowledge-challenged ppl like me. i hope u dwell on d evolution of football again...
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