FOOTBALL.

Otaki Mail, 1 April 1931, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AN ANCIENT GAME. A" far back as the year 1314, in the reign of Edward 11, there was issued a proclamation forbidding the populace “to hustle over large balls” in the streets of London on account of the riots which might arise. Luring the reign of Edward 111, in the year 1343, there was issued anether statute to the effect that the sheriffs were ordered to suppress “football” appears for the first time in the language. There is not the least doubt that the football as played in those day* was a menace to the communitv, for invariably it was played in the public streets of the town and not on specially made grounds as it i.s to-day. Bonn to the reign of Charles 11, football was practically considered illegal, though the law against it wat not always enforced apparently*. I dot ball is actually a direct descendant of a game the Romans used to play called harpastum. In this game the players were allowed to carry the -■ ball with their hands and the object was to get. it by hook or by crook over_a certain line, which was" marked out in the rear of each team. One can imagine that the ancient Roman* were not very gentle in their methods of getting the ball over that line! lh;s pastime was introduced in'o Britain probably about the begionin' of the Christian era. *