Football in England Saimon Miller, February 19, 2024February 19, 2024 The Origins of Football in England and Current Realities Introduction Football is not just a national sport in the United Kingdom; it’s something much more profound. It has so deeply integrated into the daily lives of the English that it has become an essential part of their culture. The History of Football in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom is often called the birthplace of football, a matter of some debate since ball games have been prevalent in various countries. Ancient China, Sparta, and Rome all had their versions of ball games. However, without a doubt, the UK is the birthplace of modern football—the game known and loved worldwide, most popular in many countries. The British were the ones who established uniform football rules, formed the Football Association, and started the tradition of tournaments, spreading the game globally. But let’s delve into this history in order. Since the Middle Ages, Britons have been playing ball. People would gather in the streets, town squares, and wastelands to hold tournaments, often turning into brawls. The clergy, merchants, feudal lords, and authorities opposed this tradition. In the 14th century, King Edward III of England was the first to ban the game, using the term “football” that then spread worldwide. The game was not forgotten and continued to be played in secret until British authorities lifted the ban on football in the early 17th century. Initially considered a plebeian game unworthy of aristocrats, football gradually infiltrated higher social layers. By the 19th century, it had become widespread among the aristocracy, mainly played in universities with competitions between colleges. Soon, football overtook cricket, the most popular team sport in Victorian England. British Football Culture Each British college had its own rules for the game, leading to peculiar scenarios where some teams had limited player numbers, while others accepted anyone willing. In 1846, an attempt to create uniform football rules led to the “Cambridge Rules” after an eight-hour negotiation between players from Cambridge and other schools. Later, these rules formed the basis for the Football Association’s regulations in England. In 1857, the world’s first football club, Sheffield FC, was founded in Sheffield, England, and is still active today. A few years later, the club released a brochure with detailed game rules, largely resembling modern ones, except that players could still handle the ball. This date is considered the birth of modern football. The oldest football association in the world was founded in England in 1863. Its members debated and amended the rules, such as pitch dimensions, offside rules, and the legality of various moves. The first meeting saw a majority voting against running with the ball in hand, finally prohibiting it in the rules. Modern British Football Today, football is the most popular sport in the UK, long surpassing cricket. England alone has about 40,000 registered football clubs—more than any other country in the world, not to mention Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, where the sport is equally popular. The English Premier League, the top league in England, is considered the most popular in the world. English football clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are among the most successful clubs globally. The UK is unique in having four national teams instead of one: English, Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish. This privilege comes as the birthplace of football. The national teams of England and Scotland are the oldest in the world. The first international match was played between them. Some Britons believe that the four teams should unite into one to perform more successfully in international tournaments. Unlike Latin American players, British footballers are not prone to provocations and simulations on the field. The English treat football as a gentleman’s game, where cheating is considered unsportsmanlike. English fans quickly lose respect for players who engage in such incidents. The British Attitude Towards Football Football is not just an English national sport but a vast and profound part of English culture. Every British school has a football section, and the UK’s football fields are never empty. In every major city district and every small town or village, there are adult and children’s football teams. There are many spontaneously formed “street” teams so well-developed that they have their uniforms and invite referees for matches. A significant portion of the male population in the UK are avid fans. It’s customary among men of any age to support a team, though the national mentality, based on restraint and self-deprecation, leads most to support weaker or unsuccessful teams—of course, only during matches between national clubs. However, in international tournaments, Britons display unanimous patriotism. With almost any Englishman, you can have an interesting conversation about football clubs, game rules, notable matches. Britons are well-versed in national football from other countries, including Russian football: they can name several major clubs, the most successful Russian footballers, and Russia’s results in recent championships. Every decent British pub broadcasts football matches. On game days, pubs are usually overflowing, even on weekdays. There are few specialized football newspapers for “professional fans” in the UK. Game results, match reviews, and football-related articles are published in all daily newspapers along with news from the world of culture, politics, and business. English Football Fans The reserved and cool English turn out to be the most active, emotional, and even fierce fans. The UK has developed the largest and most brutal subculture of football fans, who disrupt public order before and after matches. Not surprisingly, since in the Middle Ages, football was associated with combat battles for the English. From the 60s to the 80s of the 20th century, almost every match in the UK was accompanied by fights. In 1985, English hooligan football fan groups caused a tragedy at a Belgian stadium hosting the European Champions Cup final between the Italian club Juventus and the English Liverpool. English fans, being in the majority, forced the Italians to climb a stadium wall, which collapsed, resulting in the death of 39 mostly innocent people. Perhaps this tragedy made British fans temper their fervor. Today, the fan movement in the UK continues, but rival groups meet in remote places to settle their differences. Each year, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to act: the English police have made it their primary goal to stop football-related violence. And international football associations often impose restrictions on English fans: for example, in 1993, more than a thousand British fans were expelled from the Netherlands due to hooligan behavior. Famous English anthropologist Kate Fox, author of “Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour,” believes that the violent football fan movement in the UK is a consequence of the natural shyness of the English, which they often try to overcome through antisocial behavior, excessive drinking, and brawling. English Traditions Related to Football When English football fans stopped rampaging at British stadiums, respectable people who previously had to watch football only on TV at home or in pubs started attending matches. Now, families with children, youth, and the elderly go to stadiums. Overall, Britons attend football matches more often than the theater. Die-hard fans always come to matches wearing scarves with their favorite club’s emblem. The most active fans choose some extravagant outfit, like knight’s armor. This is done only by respectable fans who do not belong to the football hooligan movement. Representatives of the underground subculture try to dress inconspicuously and rarely use football symbolism to avoid attracting attention. National dish of England, fish and chips: potatoes and fish fried in batter, is sold at the stadium. This English fast food is meant to be eaten hot while the match is on. Generally, it’s customary to eat a lot at the stadium: both before the match starts and during the game. Besides fish and chips, you can buy meat pies, chips, pastries, and much more. And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without beer—this traditional drink at football matches. The British closely associate football with gambling. Betting offices mainly thrive on football bets. Every match is accompanied by betting—this tradition is not as widespread in any other country. Many English fans are accustomed to earning from games. There is a tradition in the UK to hold football matches the day after Christmas—known as Boxing Day. For the English, this is the most popular match of the year, attracting the largest crowd of fans regardless of the participating teams. This tradition has a simple history. In aristocratic homes, servants had to work on Christmas to serve guests during the holiday. The next day, the hosts would let them go home to spend time with their families. For many, the Boxing Day holiday was the only opportunity to attend a football match or take their children to one. Today, families and large groups attend Boxing Day matches. The post-Christmas games atmosphere is indescribable: a mix of festivity, excitement, gambling thrill, and delight. In addition to standard fast food, many sweets are sold at the stadium. In match programs, players are dressed as Santa Claus. Not only fans but also players take this game seriously: giving their all. After matches, many English people watch the BBC program called Match of the Day. It’s usually broadcast on BBC One every Saturday evening during football seasons. The program discusses the most important events of recent matches. England National Team at the 2022 World Cup The 2022 FIFA World Cup, held in Qatar, was a unique event in the history of world football, attracting millions of fans worldwide. Among the tournament participants, the England national team stood out as one of the most discussed and analyzed teams, thanks to its rich heritage, star-studded lineup, and outstanding achievements on the international stage in recent years. In this context, the evaluation of the team’s chances of success by bookmakers was of particular interest, reflecting the general perception of the English team’s possibilities at the tournament. Evaluating England’s Chances by Bookmakers Before the start of the 2022 World Cup, bookmakers actively analyzed the chances of all participating teams, and the England national team regularly occupied high positions in their forecasts. This was due to several key factors: Strong squad. The team had an impressive combination of experienced players and young talents capable of deciding the outcome of matches. Performances in previous tournaments. Successes in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, where England reached the semi-finals and finals, respectively, confirmed the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. Coaching staff. Gareth Southgate, the head coach, had already proven his ability to form a team capable of succeeding in major tournaments. Based on these factors, the odds for England to win the tournament were often in the range of 5/1 to 8/1, reflecting high confidence in the team’s potential among experts and fans. England National Team’s Performance at the Tournament In practice, the 2022 World Cup became another test of strength, skills, and strategy for the England national team. Passing through the group stage and playoff rounds, England demonstrated both its high potential and some weaknesses, which their opponents tried to exploit. Despite high expectations, the road to the trophy was full of challenges, and each match was a test for both players and the coaching staff. Conclusion In conclusion, the performance of the England national team at the 2022 World Cup can be seen as another important chapter in their football history. The bookmakers’ predictions, which foresaw high chances of success, reflected not only faith in the team’s potential but also the immense expectations of fans and analysts. Although the journey to the coveted trophy turned out to be more challenging than anticipated, the tournament performance confirmed England’s status as one of the world’s strongest football nations, capable of challenging any opponent. Uncategorized
The Origins of Football in England and Current Realities Introduction Football is not just a national sport in the United Kingdom; it’s something much more profound. It has so deeply integrated into the daily lives of the English that it has become an essential part of their culture. The History of Football in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom is often called the birthplace of football, a matter of some debate since ball games have been prevalent in various countries. Ancient China, Sparta, and Rome all had their versions of ball games. However, without a doubt, the UK is the birthplace of modern football—the game known and loved worldwide, most popular in many countries. The British were the ones who established uniform football rules, formed the Football Association, and started the tradition of tournaments, spreading the game globally. But let’s delve into this history in order. Since the Middle Ages, Britons have been playing ball. People would gather in the streets, town squares, and wastelands to hold tournaments, often turning into brawls. The clergy, merchants, feudal lords, and authorities opposed this tradition. In the 14th century, King Edward III of England was the first to ban the game, using the term “football” that then spread worldwide. The game was not forgotten and continued to be played in secret until British authorities lifted the ban on football in the early 17th century. Initially considered a plebeian game unworthy of aristocrats, football gradually infiltrated higher social layers. By the 19th century, it had become widespread among the aristocracy, mainly played in universities with competitions between colleges. Soon, football overtook cricket, the most popular team sport in Victorian England. British Football Culture Each British college had its own rules for the game, leading to peculiar scenarios where some teams had limited player numbers, while others accepted anyone willing. In 1846, an attempt to create uniform football rules led to the “Cambridge Rules” after an eight-hour negotiation between players from Cambridge and other schools. Later, these rules formed the basis for the Football Association’s regulations in England. In 1857, the world’s first football club, Sheffield FC, was founded in Sheffield, England, and is still active today. A few years later, the club released a brochure with detailed game rules, largely resembling modern ones, except that players could still handle the ball. This date is considered the birth of modern football. The oldest football association in the world was founded in England in 1863. Its members debated and amended the rules, such as pitch dimensions, offside rules, and the legality of various moves. The first meeting saw a majority voting against running with the ball in hand, finally prohibiting it in the rules. Modern British Football Today, football is the most popular sport in the UK, long surpassing cricket. England alone has about 40,000 registered football clubs—more than any other country in the world, not to mention Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, where the sport is equally popular. The English Premier League, the top league in England, is considered the most popular in the world. English football clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are among the most successful clubs globally. The UK is unique in having four national teams instead of one: English, Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish. This privilege comes as the birthplace of football. The national teams of England and Scotland are the oldest in the world. The first international match was played between them. Some Britons believe that the four teams should unite into one to perform more successfully in international tournaments. Unlike Latin American players, British footballers are not prone to provocations and simulations on the field. The English treat football as a gentleman’s game, where cheating is considered unsportsmanlike. English fans quickly lose respect for players who engage in such incidents. The British Attitude Towards Football Football is not just an English national sport but a vast and profound part of English culture. Every British school has a football section, and the UK’s football fields are never empty. In every major city district and every small town or village, there are adult and children’s football teams. There are many spontaneously formed “street” teams so well-developed that they have their uniforms and invite referees for matches. A significant portion of the male population in the UK are avid fans. It’s customary among men of any age to support a team, though the national mentality, based on restraint and self-deprecation, leads most to support weaker or unsuccessful teams—of course, only during matches between national clubs. However, in international tournaments, Britons display unanimous patriotism. With almost any Englishman, you can have an interesting conversation about football clubs, game rules, notable matches. Britons are well-versed in national football from other countries, including Russian football: they can name several major clubs, the most successful Russian footballers, and Russia’s results in recent championships. Every decent British pub broadcasts football matches. On game days, pubs are usually overflowing, even on weekdays. There are few specialized football newspapers for “professional fans” in the UK. Game results, match reviews, and football-related articles are published in all daily newspapers along with news from the world of culture, politics, and business. English Football Fans The reserved and cool English turn out to be the most active, emotional, and even fierce fans. The UK has developed the largest and most brutal subculture of football fans, who disrupt public order before and after matches. Not surprisingly, since in the Middle Ages, football was associated with combat battles for the English. From the 60s to the 80s of the 20th century, almost every match in the UK was accompanied by fights. In 1985, English hooligan football fan groups caused a tragedy at a Belgian stadium hosting the European Champions Cup final between the Italian club Juventus and the English Liverpool. English fans, being in the majority, forced the Italians to climb a stadium wall, which collapsed, resulting in the death of 39 mostly innocent people. Perhaps this tragedy made British fans temper their fervor. Today, the fan movement in the UK continues, but rival groups meet in remote places to settle their differences. Each year, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to act: the English police have made it their primary goal to stop football-related violence. And international football associations often impose restrictions on English fans: for example, in 1993, more than a thousand British fans were expelled from the Netherlands due to hooligan behavior. Famous English anthropologist Kate Fox, author of “Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour,” believes that the violent football fan movement in the UK is a consequence of the natural shyness of the English, which they often try to overcome through antisocial behavior, excessive drinking, and brawling. English Traditions Related to Football When English football fans stopped rampaging at British stadiums, respectable people who previously had to watch football only on TV at home or in pubs started attending matches. Now, families with children, youth, and the elderly go to stadiums. Overall, Britons attend football matches more often than the theater. Die-hard fans always come to matches wearing scarves with their favorite club’s emblem. The most active fans choose some extravagant outfit, like knight’s armor. This is done only by respectable fans who do not belong to the football hooligan movement. Representatives of the underground subculture try to dress inconspicuously and rarely use football symbolism to avoid attracting attention. National dish of England, fish and chips: potatoes and fish fried in batter, is sold at the stadium. This English fast food is meant to be eaten hot while the match is on. Generally, it’s customary to eat a lot at the stadium: both before the match starts and during the game. Besides fish and chips, you can buy meat pies, chips, pastries, and much more. And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without beer—this traditional drink at football matches. The British closely associate football with gambling. Betting offices mainly thrive on football bets. Every match is accompanied by betting—this tradition is not as widespread in any other country. Many English fans are accustomed to earning from games. There is a tradition in the UK to hold football matches the day after Christmas—known as Boxing Day. For the English, this is the most popular match of the year, attracting the largest crowd of fans regardless of the participating teams. This tradition has a simple history. In aristocratic homes, servants had to work on Christmas to serve guests during the holiday. The next day, the hosts would let them go home to spend time with their families. For many, the Boxing Day holiday was the only opportunity to attend a football match or take their children to one. Today, families and large groups attend Boxing Day matches. The post-Christmas games atmosphere is indescribable: a mix of festivity, excitement, gambling thrill, and delight. In addition to standard fast food, many sweets are sold at the stadium. In match programs, players are dressed as Santa Claus. Not only fans but also players take this game seriously: giving their all. After matches, many English people watch the BBC program called Match of the Day. It’s usually broadcast on BBC One every Saturday evening during football seasons. The program discusses the most important events of recent matches. England National Team at the 2022 World Cup The 2022 FIFA World Cup, held in Qatar, was a unique event in the history of world football, attracting millions of fans worldwide. Among the tournament participants, the England national team stood out as one of the most discussed and analyzed teams, thanks to its rich heritage, star-studded lineup, and outstanding achievements on the international stage in recent years. In this context, the evaluation of the team’s chances of success by bookmakers was of particular interest, reflecting the general perception of the English team’s possibilities at the tournament. Evaluating England’s Chances by Bookmakers Before the start of the 2022 World Cup, bookmakers actively analyzed the chances of all participating teams, and the England national team regularly occupied high positions in their forecasts. This was due to several key factors: Strong squad. The team had an impressive combination of experienced players and young talents capable of deciding the outcome of matches. Performances in previous tournaments. Successes in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, where England reached the semi-finals and finals, respectively, confirmed the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. Coaching staff. Gareth Southgate, the head coach, had already proven his ability to form a team capable of succeeding in major tournaments. Based on these factors, the odds for England to win the tournament were often in the range of 5/1 to 8/1, reflecting high confidence in the team’s potential among experts and fans. England National Team’s Performance at the Tournament In practice, the 2022 World Cup became another test of strength, skills, and strategy for the England national team. Passing through the group stage and playoff rounds, England demonstrated both its high potential and some weaknesses, which their opponents tried to exploit. Despite high expectations, the road to the trophy was full of challenges, and each match was a test for both players and the coaching staff. Conclusion In conclusion, the performance of the England national team at the 2022 World Cup can be seen as another important chapter in their football history. The bookmakers’ predictions, which foresaw high chances of success, reflected not only faith in the team’s potential but also the immense expectations of fans and analysts. Although the journey to the coveted trophy turned out to be more challenging than anticipated, the tournament performance confirmed England’s status as one of the world’s strongest football nations, capable of challenging any opponent.