Brief History
One of the earliest examples of a game similar to football, as we know it, existed in Ancient China.  Around 200AD a game call Tsu Chu (kick ball) was played and regarded as "the beautiful game".  Other examples of early versions are reported to have evolved in 5th Century AD Japan, called Kemari, and during the Roman Empire’s dominance (Harpastum).  Harpastum was played on a rectangular field between 2 teams who defended the lines which marked the ends of the field.  In Italy a similar game was developed in the 15th and 16th centuries called Calcio (to kick) which was played on holy days.

The evolution of the game in England also appears to have its roots in holy days.  Written evidence confirms that in the 12th century a game with a ball was played on Shrove Tuesday in Ashbourne, Derby.  On such occasions the whole town would get involved and the game could last for days.  The purpose of the game was to gain possession of the ball and was fairly violent.  Throughout the centuries English monarchs tried to ban this version of the game but Edward II, III, Richard II, Henry V and Elizabeth I were all unsuccessful in preventing the continued interest.  In the 18th Century the public schools began to invent their own versions of the game.  By 1848 the first serious attempts were being made by Cambridge to set up a common set of laws.  On 26th October 1863 captains and representatives of several London teams and suburban clubs met at the Freemason’s Tavern in Lincoln’s Inn Fields to codify the rules "for the regulation of the game of football" and The Football Association was founded.

Facilities and Equipment
Today there are over 43,000 affiliated clubs across the country, at the heart of every community.  The joy of football is that it is accessable to all.  It can be an organised game at a club or coaching centre or a game with your mates with jumpers for goalposts!

Benefits of Participating
Playing football has many benefits, including leadership, teamwork, communication skills, increased confidence and self-esteem and can help to achieve a healthy lifestyle, but most importantly it is FUN!