Scots invented football !?
 

It's a debate which has raged for more than a century - who gave football to the world?

Sorry to upset some of our Sassenach friends but these are the documented facts so far on the origins of structured football (not 'folk' or 'mob' football):


Before 1633
Unstructured ('mob') football was played in both Scotland and England. Many references from the Kings of England and the Kings of Scots about banning football because it interfered with archery and weapons practice.

1636
A game of structured football was invented in the northeast of Scotland, with its playing first documented by Aberdeen schoolteacher David Wedderburn.

The Aberdeen game was different - the play was structured and it's a passing game with goalkeepers. The other interesting thing is that the English FA was not formed until 1863. In the first FA rule book, there is no mention of goalkeepers and the game is based more on a rugby-type structure, where players could not pass the ball forward.

The Scottish style of football was a passing game, whereas the traditional English game was a dribbling game, that died out because it was supplanted by the passing game.

1824
Oldest football club in the world.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_football_club)
The Foot Ball Club of Edinburgh was formed in 1824 and survived at least until 1841. They were very well organised. This beats England's claim to the oldest club (Sheffield FC who just celebrated their 150th anniversary) in the world by 33 years. Also, it was not an old boys club the way some of the English set-ups were but was set up for working class boys.

1862
It was style of football played in Scotland which formed the basis of the FA rules of 1862. The Scots (the Scotch Professors, as they were known in
England) had to go to England to teach the English how to play
the game they claim that they had invented!

1872
World's first international football match held on St. Andrew's Day. November 30th 1872. Scotland versus England (draw 0-0).

1879
Two Scots are the world's first professional footballers. Two Darwin players, the Scots John Love and Fergus Suter of Darwin Football Club (small Lancashire club), are reported as being the first players ever to receive remuneration for their football talent. This practice grew rapidly and the English FA found itself obliged to legalise professionalism as early as 1885.

1880s
Many Scottish professional players migrated south to join English clubs, introducing English players and audiences to more-advanced ball-playing skills and to the benefits of teamwork and passing.


1888
The first football World Champioship trophy. The trophy was won by Dunbartonshire village team of Renton after being challenged by English FA Cup winners West Bromwich Albion. The match was arranged to determine who were the "Champions of the United Kingdom and the World” (which Renton won).


Picture:
World's oldest 'modern-style' football (sewn leather strips and inner bladder) from Stirling Castle, probably played with by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1530s.


http://tinyurl.com/59dlj5

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

So how come you ended up so shite at it ?

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

The first international game must have been an anti climax!

And Edinburgh FC only lasted a few years, not 150, so how can they be the oldest?

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

Alright, earliest or the world's first ! Oldest means still going, I suppose.

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

Pedant!!!

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

But in this case, one who states the bleeding obvious to anyone but a Scot trying to prove a point!
Anway, I hate football, like I care!

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

We are talking about Association Football here not Rugby Union Football or any other type.
Therefore the oldest club can only be after the rules were written by Cambridge University. We are not interested in some savage sport played by skirt wearing Neanderthals north of the border!

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

A little harsh! If there is evidence to show that a form of soccer was played in Scotland in the olden days, so be it. Mind you, I was always under the impression that, before using a pigs bladder for a ball, the players used decapitated heads as a ball so maybe it was the Scots who invented it after all;)

Re: Scots invented football !?
 

I know who's head I'd like to kick around for a while... I'm all out of bladders...