A New Method of and Means for Playing a Game of "Football or similar Game.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1891-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1892
· PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Method of and Means for Playing a Game of "Football
or similar Game.
I DAVID FOSTER of 34 Micklegate Selby in the County of Yorkshire
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a novel method of and means for playing a game of
"football" or a game somewhat analogous to the well known game of football-
such game being capable of being played indoors in any suitable building such as a
racquet court but is principally intended (for adults or children of either sex) to
be played out of doors on lawn tennis courts or other suitable place-either grass
or otherwise.
:
For this purpose I arrange a number of posts (advantageously six) around the
edge of the play ground-for instance an ordinary lawn tennis court-on which
posts netting is supported thus enclosing all round a space of oblong or other
suitable shape.
Goal posts of a suitable height are placed at each end with netting behind same
forming a semi-circular or other recess behind such goal posts at each end one
purpose of this recess being to receive the football when a "try" is secured.
A rope (or other convenient means such as a chalk line) is placed down the
centre of the ground from end to end to form a barrier or division to keep each
side according to the rules (hereinafter referred to) from encroaching on the
territory of the other.
The players may be ladies gentlemen or children indiscriminately or any of
them as according to my said new game each such player is provided with a special
"kick
striking instrument (with which to strike or
the ball) somewhat similar
or analogous to the well known croquet mallet-but according to my invention this
striking instrument consists advantageously of a suitable handle or long arm
having a representation of a booted foot (or shoe) at the end thereof to form the
striking part with which to strike or kick the ball. This striking instrument is
made of any suitable material or materials.
The football used may be of any suitable shape and size to match the boots.
Each player has one of these striking instruments with which alone the ball is
to be struck or kicked and any suitable number of players may take part in the
game for instance fourteen players viz. seven players on each side.
The game is governed by rules-either similar to the ordinary game of football
or by any other suitable rules and regulations as may be determined from time to
time..
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Method of and Means for Playing a Game of "Football."
or similar Game.
I DAVID FOSTER of 34 Micklegate Selby in the County of York Merchant
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to a novel method of and means for playing a game. of

page_text: "football or a game somewhat analogous to the well known game of football--
such game being capable of being played indoors in any suitable building such as:
a racquet court but is also intended (for adults or children of either sex) to be
played out of doors on lawn tennis courts or other suitable place-either grass or
otherwise.
And in order that my present invention may be fully understood and readily
carried into practice I will proceed to describe same with reference to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings in which
Figure 1 illustrates a court or ground prepared and fenced round in accordance
with my said invention.
instrument and
Figure 2 shows a "striking" or "kicking
Figure 3 shows a modification of the same.
A number of posts a are arranged around the
instance an ordinary lawn tennis court. On these
(or other contrivance or netting) are supported to
oblong space or of other suitable shape.
edge of the play ground-for
posts a wires or ropes such as b
enclose all round as shown an
Goal posts c of a suitable height are placed at each end and netting d is
arranged behind same forming a semi-circular or other recess behind such goal
posts at each end one purpose of this recess being to receive the football when a
try " is secured.
66
e is the cross bar on the goal posts c at each end.
A rope (or other convenient means such as a chalk line) is placed down the
centre of the ground from end to end to form a barrier or division to keep each
side (according to the rules hereinafter referred to) from encroaching on the
territory of the other.
The players may be ladies gentlemen or children indiscriminately or any of
them.
According to my said new game each player is provided with a special striking
instrument (with which to strike or kick the ball) somewhat similar or analogous
to the well known croquet mallet-but according to my present invention this
striking instrument consists advantageously of a suitable handle or long arm having
a representation of a booted foot (or shoe) at the end thereof as shown in Figure 2
to form the striking part with which to strike or kick the ball or the striker may
be made double ended as in Figure 3. The striking instrument is made of any
suitable material or materials.
The football used may be of any suitable shape and size to match the boots.
Each player has one of these striking instruments with which alone the ball is to
be struck or "kicked" and any suitable number of players may take part in the
game for instance fourteen players viz. seven players on each side.
The game is governed by any suitable rules and regulations as may be determined
from time to time.
The football may be of the full ordinary size or any other size desired and all
the other parts viz. the striking instruments, fence, goal posts et cetera may be of
any suitable size and shape to suit the purpose of my present invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination of goal posts such as c with wire netting d or other suitable
material to form a semi-circular or the like shaped enclosure or recess behind the
goal posts substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
2. The combination with goal posts having an enclosure behind same and a
suitable fence all round the play ground of a striking or "kicking" instrument for
actuating the football substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
3. The combination of a striking or kicking instrument such as illustrated in

page_text: Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the annexed drawings with the parts such as a b c d e
and illustrated in Figure 1 substantially in the manner and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 31st day of December 1891.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.