San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-24
GAME GAINS
DEVOTEES
QUICKLY
williamson, Authority on
Sport, Traces De-
velopment.
By H. II. WILLIAMSON

By II. II. WILLIAMSON
tsoeoer suthsr.ty,. New Bedford. Mass
Though lawn tennis and golf are
generally thought to have made the
most rapid Roadway among the out
door SPORTS Of this country during the
mast ten years, il is doubtful il either
Of these major pastines has grown in
the ssme proportion az soccer football
during the same period Of time. A
world sport, soccer is now played in
about 40 countries, and the United
States Ia, probably made the most
beadywsy Of any Of them since the
organization of the United States
Football Association IN 1918.
Records of the game being played
In England date back away into the
clden days and history tells US that
Rusby is an offshoot of soccer, being
developed from the time that player
picked UP the ball in his arme and
carried il down the field TO plant 1t
behind the goal posts, thus paving the
way for the introductions Of rugby
and the great American game OF foot
ball.
Soccer football. or association foot
ball, as Ii is most generally referred
10 on the other side Of the water, dates
back to the time of the Romans, and
Irish antiuuarians assert that lit has
been played in ireland for more than
1000 years. For a long period Of time
the great football festival Of the year
in England was Shrove Tuesday,
though its connection with this parti-
cular date is not uaceable. Reference
ID made Of football being played IN
1175, but the game was apparently
Of such a rough nature that King Ed
ward ii forbade il in q decree OF 1913.
PROHIBITED By ROYALTY.
Later the game had once more be
come so popular that il was prohibited
By Edward III in 1885 on account OF
the corresponding decay in archery.
Soccer went along without any sem
bIance Of organization until 1865,
when a group of lovers Of the game
met IN London, England, and drew up
the principles of the game and form
ed the English Football Association.
Very few changes IN the rules have
taken place since 1900, and from the
early part of the seventies, interna-
tional games have been played between
England, Scotland, Wales and Ire
land, these extending later until now
almost every European country en-
cages in similar matches one against
the other.
The alleged payment Of some Of the
contestants developed somewhat Of q
scsndal in 1885, and in that year the
legalized payment of players went into
effect.
As showing the hold the game has
on the public overseas, it is estimated
that England alone has more than
1000 amateur clubs with more than
275,000 amateur players affiliated
with the English Football Association,
which also has jurisdiction over more
than 500 professional clubs and ap-
proximately $500 professional players.
INTRODUCTION IN .. S.
The first introduction of soccer in
this country is hard to trace, but back
in the early eighties a group Of men
in Newark, n. J., got together and
Organized the American Football Asso-
ciation. these men for the most part
being Britons or Celts who brought
the love of the game with them TO this
country. A silver cup was offered IN
competition, and from 1884 70 1891, a
number Of clubs drawn mostly from
the New England states, New York,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania contest
-
trophy. Interest then lapsed for a spell,
ard no competition was run from 1898
TO 1904. The tournament was re-
sumed in 1905 and as the game spread,
the territory was gradually increased
Soccer seemingly thrived despite The
fact that it was lacking any benefits
governing body.
Thirteen clubs entered the competi.
ton for the American Cup in its first
year, the o. n. T. Of Newark, y. j.,
winning the trophy during The first
three years Of 1884, 1885, 1856. Then
followed successes by the Rovers Of
Fall River, Mass, the East Ends Of
the same city, and teams from Paw
tucket, z. ]. With the immigration
Of thousands of Britishers throughout
New England state during the past
generation. more especially in South
ern New England soccer forged ahead
until IL was necessary 20 place il IN
der some sort Of recognized control.
GOVERNING BODY ORGANIZED.
In 1913 the United States Football
Association was organized in New
York City with DR.. G. Randolph Man
ming as the first president and Thomas
W. Cahill. Newark. n. j., aE secre-
tary. Mr.. Cahill held the position Of
secretary until two years ago. when he
was succeeded by Andrew N. Brown,
Bsyonne, n. J. John A. Fernley,
Pawtucket, r. l.; Peter J. Peel, Chi
cago; George Healey. Detroit, and
Morris W. johnson, Philadelphia, in
turn succeeding DR.. Manning. All Of
these executive heads, with the assist
ance of other indefatigable workers.
have given unstinhngly Of their time
and have accomplished much towards
the firm establishment Of the govern
ing body until il now controls soccer
pretty much on the same lines as the
national baseball commission governs
our national game.
Players are now restricted To one
club for the season. where before the
u. S. r. A. was organized, they en-
loved n sort Of a rowing commission
The American Football Association
which up % 1912 was the only govern
ing body Of any size in the country
is nov merely a component part Of the
United States Football Association
which embraces % state associations
and major cup competitions 10 conduct
the business Of the parent body as 9
ehola