User:Grover cleveland/History of the laws of the game/Sheffield/1867

Sheffield FC AGM

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18670130/031/0003

1867-01-29

no mention of laws.

Ball passing between goal and rouge flag

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000181/18670226/025/0006

Interesting description of Sheffield game

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000893/18670130/069/0004 (Sporting Life 1867-01-30)

Source

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001055/18670314/114/0004 Sportsman, 1867-03-14

Meeting of Sheffield FA. 1867-03-06 Adelphi Hotel,

Formulated code of laws, based on FA laws of 1867 adopted a few days earlier.

Differences noted:

more lenient offside law
provision of a penalty for rule against handling
provision that rouges shall count in a match
goal size, rouge flags

All of these differences had been proposed by Sheffield FC at the FA meeting, but had been rejected.

LAWS

I. The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards; the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards; the length and breadth shall be marked off with rouge flags; and the goals shall be upright posts, four yards apart, with a bar across them nine feet from the ground.

II. The winners of the toss shall have the choice of goals. The game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss; the other side shall not approach within ten yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

III. After a goal is won the losing side shall kick off, and goals shall be changed, but if, in playing a match, half the specified time shall expire without a goal being obtained, the sides shall change goals, the kick off being from the middle, in the same direction as at the commencement of the game.

IV. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts under the tape [sic], not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.

V. When the ball is in touch, a player of the opposite side to that which has kicked it out shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground, in a direction at right angles with the boundary line, and it shall not be in play until it has touched the ground, and the player throwing it in shall not play it until it has been played by another player.

VI. Any player between an opponent's goal and goal-keeper (unless he has followed the ball there) is off-side and out of play. The goal-keeper is that player on the defending side who for the time being is nearest to his own goal.

VII. When the ball is kicked behind the goal line or over the bars of the goal or rouge flags, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball are entitled to a fair kick off in whatever way they please, the opposite side not being able to approach within six yards of the ball. In case the ball is kicked between the rouge flags under the bar, the side kicking it shall be entitled to score one rouge, and the ball shall be kicked off by the defending side as before mentioned.

VIII. A goal outweighs any number of rouges. Should no goals or an equal number of goals be obtained, the match is decided by rouges.

IX. No player shall hold or carry the ball, or knock or push it on with the hand or arm. The side breaking this rule forfeits a free kick to the opposite side, and the offending side shall not approach within three yards of the kicker, but nothing in this rule shall extend to drive them to stand behind their goal line.

X. No goal or rouge shall be obtained from a free kick from a penalty.

XI. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.

XII. A player shall not throw the ball or pass it to another.

XIII. No player shall take the ball from the ground with his hands while it is in play under any pretence whatever.

XIV. No player shall wear spikes, projecting nails, or iron plates on the soles or heels of his boots.

DEFINITION OF TERMS.

A "place kick" is a kick at the ball while on the ground, in any position in which the kicker may choose to place it.

A "free kick" is the privilege of kicking at the ball without obstruction, in such manner as the kicker may think fit.

"Hacking" is kicking an adversary intentionally.

"Tripping" is throwing an adversary by the use of the legs.

"Knocking" on is when a player strikes or propels the ball with his hands or arms.

"Holding" includes the obstruction of a player by the hand or any part of the arm below the elbow.

"Touch" is that part of the field, on either side of the ground, which is beyond the line of flags.

Letter Proposing Corner Flags and Kick Ins!!!

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18670322/125/0004

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SHEFFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH, Sir, —May I be permitted to encroach on your space to make few remarks on the alterations in football rules as recently made by the association of Sheffield clubs ? From what I saw at Pitsmoor on Saturday last (where game was played according to these alterations) I feel convinced that the new rules were made too hastily, for instance, rule 7 says: -- " When the ball is kicked behind the goal line or over the bars of the goal or rouge flags, it must be kicked off by the side between whose goal it went, &c., &c,” (I presume the word between” to mean behind.) Now think this rule a great inducement to foal and dishonourable play, for it is manifestly to the advantage of a defending side to allow the ball to pass their goal line, they having then the great advantage of a free kick-off or out. And again, rule 5 says: -- " When the ball is in touch, (that is out of boundary) a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground, &c., &c.” It has long been known what nuisance the throwing in system is, it gives rise to a great amount of "fouling,” and causes a great waste of time; therefore, I would suggest the above portions of rules 5 and 7 be expunged, and the following substituted:—“When the ball is kicked out of boundary the sides, that is, not in either of the goal lines, player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall kick it in, from that point on the boundary line where it left the ground ; but when the ball is kicked behind the goal-line, the players run for touch, and the side winning the touch, kicks in from nearest corner flag, no player of the opposite side allowed to approach within six yards of the player kicking in.” I think the above rules would abolish in a satisfactory way the old system of "throwing in,” and the same time improve rule 5, which, as made by the association, gives the defending side an undue advantage. One word more. I see the Association have in rule 11 made it unfair for a player to use his hands to hold or push an adversary. I think this a mistake ; no man can scarcely ever when charging or receiving a charge help raising his hands for the protection of the weaker parts of his body, instinct will prompt him to place his hands on his chest when charging, yet the new rule makes it unfair to do so. If this rule is persisted in, the accidents in the field will be ranch more numerous and also much more dangerous than they have been. As a football player, I do not think lam open to any charge of interference in suggesting these alterations ; I think they will promote football, and cause fairer play than we have seen many times during the season just concluding, and I hope my suggestions do not come too late to receive the attention of the Association. Apologising for taking up your space, I am, sir, yours, very respectfully, 20th March, 1867. ROUGE.

Possibly borrowed from hockey? When did hockey introduce corners?

October 1867

AGM 1867-10-11 (reported in Sheffield DT 1867-10-12)

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18671012/179/0010

The Sb' ffield Football Association held its annual meeting on Wednesday night, at Mr. H. Sampson’s, Adelphi Hotel. The leading business was the discussion of several rales for their amendment, all of which faibd except the proposition from the Pitsmoor Club, which was as follows ;—“ Rule 7. amend this rnle by omitting the words behind the goal line ’ in the first line, and adding, when the ball is kicked behind the goal line, the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall throw it in from where went out at least ten yards towards the other goal.’ It was understood in the matter of colours to be worn, that the oldest club should have the preference of retaining theirs in the event of a younger one making choice of the same. The meeting was well attended. Mr. T. Clarke occupied the chair. All the officers were re elected.

Mention of rouge flags

At last, however, a well-meant run up J. Knowles the ball between the Lincoln rouge flags, and it was touched down by F Knowles, thua scoring soother point for Sheffield.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001055/18670214/113/0004