The
Surprising History of Football in England
As one of the most popular sports in the world, football has a rich and fascinating history. In England, the birthplace of the modern game, there are countless stories and facts that even the most devout fans may not know. Here are some of the most surprising cold facts about the history of football in England.
The First Football Club in the World was English
The first documented football club in the world was the Sheffield Football Club, which was founded in 1857. The club played its first match against Hallam Football Club in December of the same year. This makes Sheffield FC the oldest continuously existing football club in the world, and it is recognized by FIFA as the oldest club in the world.
The First International Football Match was Played by England
The first international football match was played between England and Scotland on November 30, 1872, at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, Scotland. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. The game was a turning point in the development of international football, and it set the stage for the creation of many international tournaments, including the World Cup.
The First Domestic League Was not the Premier League
Many people believe that the English Football League (EFL) was founded in 1992, when the Premier League was created. However, the EFL was actually founded in 1888, and it is the oldest football league in the world. The league was initially composed of twelve teams, but it has since grown to include 72 teams across four divisions.
The Worst Defeat in English Football History was Against Australia
Although England has a rich history of success in international football, there have been a few embarrassing moments in its past. One of the most shocking defeats in English football history came in 2003, when the national team lost 3-1 to Australia in a friendly match. This was the first time Australia had beaten England in over 30 years. To add insult to injury, the match was played at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United, one of England's most popular clubs.
The First Footballer to be Paid was an Englishman
While it is common for footballers to be paid millions of pounds today, the first footballer to be paid for playing the game was a man named Fergus Suter. Suter was a Scottish footballer who played for a team in Darwen, Lancashire, in the 1880s. Darwen paid Suter a salary of two pounds a week, which was a considerable sum of money at the time. Suter's wages made headlines in the local newspapers, and the idea of paying footballers to play the game quickly spread across the country.
Conclusion
Football has a long and storied history in England, and these facts are just the tip of the iceberg. From the first football club in the world to the first international match, from the birth of the EFL to the worst defeat in English football history, and from the first paid footballer to the many legends who have graced the game, there are countless fascinating stories and facts that make the history of English football truly remarkable.
