Youth players took part in a football tournament with historic rules. The original Laws Of the Game, the so-called “Sheffield Rules” were used for the first time in over hundred years during a tournament at Hallam FC last month.
Screen shot of tv interview with Uriah Rennie after match with historic Sheffield Rules.
Uriah Rennie, former Premier League referee and current president of Hallam FC, was the referee during the matches. He was dressed with a a top hat and suit for the occasion. “I have refereed around the world but I have always been drawn back to Sheffield where I grew up”, he said to The Mirror. “Football is loved right across the globe but not many people realise the game actually originates from Sheffield. It’s been a real eye-opener learning the original rules to referee this competition.”
What is different in the Sheffield Rules in comparison with the current Laws of the Game?
- Pushing is allowed, although tripping is not
- Kick out must not be more than 25 yards [23 m] out of goal
- Charging is fair in case of a place kick as soon as the player offers to kick
- Players may use their hands to hit the ball, but not to hold the ball
Do you know for which amount of money the original rules of the game were sold for? A record breaking £881,250. Check a previous blog post for a photo of the original rule book plus the exact rules back in 1858.
One of the rules was “that each player must provide himself with a red and dark blue fannel cap. One colour to be worn by each side during play.” During the tournament in 2013 players tried to do so with wearing blue and red shirts.
Check out the video from the experiment with the Sheffield Rules:
Looking at the current and historic football rules. What rule would you like to change and why?