As
a fan of English football, there are many cold and lesser-known facts that I have come across throughout the years. Here are just a few of the most interesting ones that I’ve discovered. Firstly, did you know that football as we know it today was first codified in England? A set of rules known as the Cambridge Rules were drawn up in 1848, and would later form the basis for the Laws of the Game that we follow today. While other countries may have had their own versions of football before this time, it was England that established the sport as we know it today. Another little-known fact is that the first ever international football match was played between England and Scotland in 187
2. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but marked the start of what has now become one of the biggest sporting rivalries in the world. To this day, England and Scotland continue to play each other in various international competitions, with the matches always fiercely contested. Moving on to the club game, did you know that some of the biggest and most successful teams in English football were founded by religious institutions? Both Manchester United and Liverpool were initially set up by Catholic monks, while Arsenal was founded by workers at the Woolwich Arsenal armament factory, which was owned by the Church of England. These teams have since gone on to win numerous titles and dominate the English football landscape, but it’s interesting to think about their humble origins in religious institutions. Another lesser-known fact about English football is that it was one of the first sports to feature shirt sponsorship. In 1977, the Wolverhampton Wanderers became the first English team to feature a sponsor’s logo on their shirts, with the company ‘EON’ appearing on the front. From there, shirt sponsorship became increasingly prevalent, with teams now earning millions of pounds every year from having companies’ logos emblazoned on their shirts. Lastly, while lots of English football fans know about famous stadiums like Old Trafford and Anfield, there are some lesser-known grounds around the country that are steeped in history. One example is the Victoria Ground in Stoke-on-Trent, which was the home of Stoke City for over 119 years before it was demolished in 199
7. The ground was known for its unique atmosphere and famously loud crowd, and remains a beloved part of Stoke City’s history to this day. In conclusion, these are just a few of the many cold and fascinating facts that English football has to offer. Whether you’re a diehard fan or simply have a passing interest in the sport, there’s always something new and interesting to discover about the rich history and culture of football in England.