User:Grover cleveland/History of the laws of the game/Sheffield/1880


 * 1879
 * 1881

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/18800227/038/0004

FOOTBALL. SHEFFIELD FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. A general meeting of this association was held tho Imperial Hotel, Castle street, last evening, for the purpose of discussing some proposed alterations in the rules for 1880-81. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Skinner. The proposed alterations, read by the hon. sec, Mr. W. P. Dix, have been advertised the local Press. The first rule to come under notice was Rule 2, which reads as follows :—" That all public clubs of tw< years' standing playing the rules of the association eligible for membership."—Mr. Dix proposed that the words "of two years' standing" be erased, which was seconded by Mr. J. Hunter, and carried. It was next decided that the word " patron" should be erased from Rule 4, and the words "honorary president" should be substituted. Mr. Dix next moved that Rule 9 be erased, which stands as follows:—" That each club joining the association shall nominate one or more members each year, and forward their names to the secretary for the annual general meeting to serve on the committee.—Mr. Dix proposed substitute the following :—"That each club joining the association should be entitled to nominate each year one member a candidate the general meeting for election upon the committee, such nomination to be sent in to the secretary three clear days before tbe annual meeting."— Mr. Banks seconded the proposition.—After discussion the proposition was put to the meeting, 22 voting for the proposed alteration and 23 against. The result was received with loud applause.—Several of the suggested changes which had been announced were withdr awn, but the following proposed new rule, when put to the vote, was lost by 17 to : —"That each club entitled to appoint two representatives to attend all general meetings of the association, ne two clubs to be represented by the same individuals." The following new law was proposed by Mr. Banks : " If a player fouls the ball within two yards of his own goal, and the umpires, or, case of difference, the referee, shall be of opinion that a goal would have been obtained but for such foul, a goal shall be given against the defending side."—The motion was seconded Mr. Holmes, and met with unanimous support.—This terminated the business of the meeting.

Note the SFA is still promulgating its own rules.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000181/18800227/055/0004

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/18800303/026/0007

RECONSTRUCTED RULES OF 1880
1. The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards, and the maximum breadth 100 yards. The length and breadth shall be marked of by flags, and the goals shall be upright posts, eight yards apart with a bar across them, eight feet from the ground. [more or less the same as FA]

2. The winners of the toss shall have the choice of goals. The game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground, by the side losing the toss; the opposite side shall not approch within 10 yards of the ball until it is kicked off, nor shall any player on either side past the centre of the ground in the direction of his opponents' goal until the ball is kicked. [more or less the same: FA gives choice of kick off or choice of goals]

3. Ends shall only be changed at half time. After a goal is won, the losing side shall kick-off, but after the change of ends at half-time the ball shall be kicked off by the opposite side from that which originally did so, and always provided in law 2. [same as FA]

4. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts, under the bar, not being thrown, knocked on, or carried. [The ball hitting the goal or boundary posts, or goal-bar or tape, and rebounding into play, is considered in play.] ?? proposed. [identical to FA.]

5. When the ball is in touch a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground in any direction the thrower may choose. The ball must be thrown at least six yards, and shall in play when thrown in; but the player throwing it in shall not play it until it has been played by another player. [identical to FA after extraordinary meeting]

6. When a player kicks the ball, any one of the same side who, at such moment of kicking, is nearer to the opponents' goal-line, is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so until the ball has been played, unless there are at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal-line; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from the goal-line. [changed to be identical to FA]

7. When the ball is kicked over the bar of the goal, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball are entitled to a fair kick-off in whatever way they please; the opposite side not being allowed to approach within six yards of the ball. When the ball is kicked out behind the goal line, a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out, shall kick it in from the nearest corner flag. No player to be allowed within six yards of te ball until kicked. [still different from FA]

8. No player shall carry or knock on the ball; and handling the ball under any pretence whatever shall be prohibited, except in the case of the goal-keeper, who shall be allowed to use his hands in defence of his goal, either by knocking on or by throwing, but shall not carry the ball. The side breaking this rule forfeits a free kick to the opposite side, and the offending side shall not approach within six yards of the kicker; but nothing in this rule shall extend to drive them to stand behind their goal line. The defending side shall be exempt from this rule, within three yards of the goal. The goal-keeper may be changed during the game, but not more than one player shall act as goal-keeper at the same time, and no second player shall step in and act during any period in which the regular goal-keeper may have vacated his position. [identical to FA, changes 1876]

9. No goal shall be obtained by a free kick. [changed?? to In no case shall a goal be scored from any free kick, nor shall the ball be again played by the kicker until it has been played by another player. The kick-off and corner-flag kick shall be free kicks within the meaning of this rule.] [identical to FA law 12]

10. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary, nor charge him from behind. Any player so offending, shall forfeit a free kick to the opposite side. [FA does not have free kick]

11. No player shall wear spikes, projecting nails, or iron plates on the soles or heels of his boots. Any player so offending shall be considered out of play so long as the infringement continues, and no other player shall take his place. [similar but not identical to FA]

12. An umpire shall be appointed by each side, at the commencement of the game, to enforce the preceding rules, whose decision on all points during the game shall be final. And they shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play, and have power to give a pnalty for foul play of any kind. Each umpire to be referee in that half of the field nearest the goal defended by the party nominating him. Each umpire to be referee in that half of the field nearest the goal defended by the party nominating him, and to be supplied with a small flag, or other conspicuous article, with which he can draw attention, the ball always being considered in play until he has given his decision. [ may have been changed in 1877: FA has no referee]

13. If a player fouls the ball within two yards of his own goal, and the umpires, or, case of difference, the referee, shall be of opinion that a goal would have been obtained but for such foul, a goal shall be given against the defending side.