"Beatsly furie", liquor, and Romance, spelled with a capital R, have been as sociated with football in its five hundred years of development. A more imaginative scribe has stated that the Romans played football but to this rumor there appears to be little foundation. The Romans did have a game which they played by standing around in a circle, and throwing four balls around at the same time, but this would appear to be more closely related to juggling than football.

Investigation has disclosed that football is first mentioned in the English language, exactly five hundred years ago. In 1424 we find the following: "The King forbiddes no man play at the fut ball and be payne of it."

Became Butt of Reformers

At the beginning of the sixteenth century football had attracted so much, public attention as to be the subject of scathing criticism and violent denunciation. In 1531 Sir Thomas Elyot in his "Boke named the Governour" defined the sport as follows:

"Foote balle, wherein there is nothinge but beastly furie and exstreme violence, whereof proceedeth hurte, and consequently rancour and malice do remayne with thym that be wounded, whereof it is to be put in perpetual silence."

Played Under Charles II

It was during the reign of Charles II that football was first mentioned in connection with a university. It took such a hold on the student body of Cambridge that the faculty found it necessary to make it the subject of a decree. In the register of Magdalene College of Cambridge University the following extract appears under the date 1679:

"That no scholars give or receive at any time any treat or collation upon account of ye football play, on or about Michaelmas Day, further than Colledge beere or ale in ye open halle to quenche their thirsts. And particularly that that most vile custom of drinking and spending money--Sophisters and Freshmen together--upon ye account of making or not making a speech at that football time be utterly left off and extinguished."

In 1720 there was published at Dublin a full and lengthy account of a football match, presumably played in or near that city. The author, Michael Concannen, did not confine himself to any mere description of the game, however. Since he was writing in verse he found it necessary to include much romance and passion in his tale, after the fashion of present day scenario writers. He wishes it clearly understood that the "Brickleys" and "Mahans" of his day did not play so much "for the honor of the school" as they did for their "Norahs" and their "Floras."

The poem is entitled "A Match at Football", in three Cantos. It describes a match played between the team of Lusk, the Champions of Ireland, and the Soards. It is remarkable how similar is this account of a football game played two centuries ago to our modern newspaper's description of a game. The account in true journalistic style starts off with a description of the crowded "Stadium" and its setting. Then the team comes running on the field, led by Captain Terence. It seems that even a University band attended this primitive match in the person of one "Ventoso", a piper. Before the game starts "Hobbinol", undoubtedly an ancestor of Eddie Morris, comes on the field and announces the match, the contestants, and the line-ups. Then there follows to all intents and purposes a play by play account.

"The Distant Sun, now shoots a feeble Ray,

And warms with fainter Beams, the fading Day,

Now Cooler Breezes, fan the Sultry Glade,

And Waving Trees project a longer Shade,

When on a wide Extent of Level Ground,