Some Very Incredible Facts About Football

1. Until 1882 there were no crossbars on the football goals, meaning anything that was roughly put between the posts was counted as a goal. And to think we complain about not having touchline technology.
2. Football nets were not introduced until the 1890s. The change was bought into place to avoid the need to retrieve the ball after a goal was scored. Imagine Alex tapping on his watch furiously over the amount of time the goalkeeper is taking to get the ball!
3. Brazils first ever competitive game was against Exeter City on the 27^th July 1914 at the Laranjeiras Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, home of Fluminense FC.
4. Women’s football is not a modern development. In the 1920s it was attracting large crowds. In fact a crowd of 53,000 was recorded at a women’s match at Goodison Park, Everton. The FA responded by introducing a ban on women’s football at league grounds for the next 50 years.
5. The first FA cup final was in 1872. However referees did not use whistles until 1878. Imagine an FA cup final where the ref doesn’t have a whistle. Oi, stop the game!
6. The 1863 football rules state that side must change ends after every goal scored. Apparently no kicking, hacking or holding was allowed either.
7. The FA rule book states the need for referees to officiate matches!
8. Derbies are the big tension filled matches between local rivals. The term Derby is derived from either the folk football played in Ashbourne, Derbyshire in the early 19^th Century or from the chaotic games of street football played in the city of Derby.
9. Lured by Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch’s millions, the clubs in the old first division split from their governing body, the Football League to form The Premier League in 1992. The first goal scored in the Premier League was by Brian Deane of Sheffield United. Ryan Giggs has scored in every season since 1992, including this season. An English manager has never won the Premier League.
10. The National Football Centre at St Georges Park cost just over £100m to construct. They have a full size replica of the Wembley pitch for the England team to train on which cost £6M alone to construct.