The Football

The Football Association (FA) was formed in London on October 26, 1863. Its founding members included representatives from Barnes FC, War Office*, Crusaders FC, Forest (Leytonstone), No Names (Kilburn), Crystal Palace**, Blackheath, Kensington School, Perceval House (Blackheath), Surbiton, Blackheath Proprietory School and Charterhouse. The FA was established to create a definitive code of rules for the regulation of football. The first meeting took place at the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street, near Holborn tube station. Initially, there were six meetings before the new Association could stand on its own feet. Football was originally intended to be a blend of handling and dribbling with fair catches and marks allowed. However, hacking or kicking opponents on the leg was a contentious issue that Blackheath FC wanted to keep. The laws were finally approved at the sixth meeting, with no hacking permitted. The FA's influence grew over time through initiatives such as the establishment of The Football Association Challenge Cup in 1871 and England's first international match against Scotland in 1872. County and District Associations also sprang up across the country between 1875 and 1885, fostering the game and organizing clubs at local levels. The FA appeared indifferent to the growth of football abroad but maintained an important channel for future negotiation through its membership in the International FA Board. The organization also faced challenges such as criticism for permitting the 1914-15 FA Cup competition to run during World War I and controversy over recognizing Sunday amateur football in 1960. Despite these challenges, the FA continued to evolve and adapt, with significant milestones including England's first World Cup victory in 1966 and the introduction of the Premier League in 1992.