London: The first ever rule book of football – set in 1858 – is to be auctioned and is expected to fetch a handsome 1.2 million pounds.
The laws were laid down by the world’s oldest club, Sheffield FC, which is now selling the rule book listing them to raise cash, The Sun reported.
The 11 rules in the book were called the Sheffield Rules. They, however, bear very little similarity to the modern game.
Football matches then lasted for two hours and there were 20 players in a team. And charging was considered fair.
Handballs were allowed and it was also okay to catch the ball if it had not touched the ground.
The old rules formed the basis for the Football Association’s Laws of the Game in 1863, which are considered the blueprint for modern football.
Goal kicks arrived in 1869 and corners in 1871. Refs got whistles in 1878 and penalties followed in 1891.
Stoppage time was also introduced in 1891 after a bizarre match between Stoke and Aston Villa.
Stoke got a last-minute penalty only for the Villa goalie to boot the ball out of the ground. By the time it was returned, the match was over.
The rulebook is part of a huge footie archive being put up for sale by Sheffield FC at London’s Sotheby’s. (IANS)