Rules of Association Football, 1863: The First FA Rule Book Hardcover – 1 June 2006

Great gift

Bought for a relative for Christmas not read yet but very small more like pocket sized but hopefully they will like it

Chi ama il calcio, non può non possedere questa pubblicazione. E' essenziale conoscere come è nato il calcio. Se anche i presidenti, procuratori (soprattutto), calciatori strapagati e i tifosi d'oggi acquistassero questo testo forse il calcio sarebbe migliore. Direi quasi commovente la parte finale con le riproduzioni originali delle "rules".

Excellent little publication with lots of interesting information. Fully emphasiied the importance of the men meeting in that venue over 150 years ago and having such a great affect on the game worldwide we have today

I think it is great that this book is actually available and it is fascinating to see just how much the game has changed. For a few quid, it is a nice but small hardback and includes a good essay by Melvyn Bragg which actually makes up the bulk of the narrative. Each rule is accorded two pages - one, a fascimile of the original, hand-written notes and the second a printed copy. In most instances, these are limited to one sentence. At the end of the book , the rules of the Association are listed and the whole thing is book-ended with a couple of contemporary adverts for outfits and a sport newspaper. The only other illustrations are engravings of Victorian footballers. Whilst not a great tome in size, it is fantastic that the FA have actually made it available.The main interest stems from the fact that there are only 13 rules and these must have mean't there was still considerable leeway in which the game could be played which would have suited the fact that there must have been almost as many sets of rules and teams in 1863. None of the founding teams exist today, other than the reconstituted Wanderers who I am very pleased to say have re-emerged in the last few to be sponsored by UNICEF after an absence from the game of nearly 130 years! Most people will read the contents of this book in about twenty minutes as there is not a great deal in there. However, it's impact is profoundly greater than it's contents and ant fan with an interest in the origins of the game will find this interesting - if only for the period of a half-time interval or extra time at Old Trafford!!!!