Image courtesy of http://www.bbc.co.uk
Ever wondered what it would be like to play football using the 1858 rules of the game? Charging other players and catching the ball allowed; players must provide their own flannel caps to identify which side they’re playing on and referees wear tophats!
The Sheffield: Home of Football project organised an event on 26th June this year which saw teams from local Sheffield schools replace their modern kits and rules for those of 1858. It is thought that this is the first time since the Football Association came into being in 1863 that the original 1858 rules have been used. Using the traditional heavy leather ball, the event demonstrated how much the game has changed over time.
The project has involved a number of schools, working with many hard to reach pupils and communities, investigating the history of football in the Sheffield area. By using local resources such as archives, libraries and football clubs, pupils have created a historical record of the game.
