1881-82 Season Summary

Highlights

Many football grounds had an “inadequate supply of boundary flags” resulting in disputes as to whether the ball was or was not over the line. It was suggested by a local sports correspondent that the boundary should be “distinctly marked with a line cut in the turf or otherwise with whiting or sawdust.

It is a surprise to me to see that most local clubs play the old rules discarded three years ago – of the Sheffield Association. They kick the ball from the side instead of throwing it, and permit a side to place a man up near their opponents goal. These two points were – on the amalgamation of the London and Sheffield Associations – abolished. Sheffield accepted the “off-side” rule, and London gave up the rule of throwing in at right angles with the touch line, and allowing a throw-in in any direction. When the amalgamation of London and Sheffield took place under the name of the Football Association, most clubs, seeing the benefit of having one universal code, gladly accepted them. If by any chance our local clubs played any club of good standing further afield, they would probably find out the mistake of playing obsolete rules.” BLUE JERSEY – Ashby-de-la-Zouch Gazette 19 November 1881

“Jutting” – local [North Leicestershire] vernacular for charging.

Friendly Matches

Additional Information