Mythbusting: Association football already existed in the early 19th century
A proof that (a) regulated football existed before Thomas Arnold supposedly „invented“ rugby football for Rugby School and (b) that association football existed in Wales as early as 1811. „with the feet, instead of the hands“ „Foot-ball. This pastime is so called because the ball is driven about with the feet, instead of the hands. […] When a match at foot ball is made, two parties, each containing an equal number of competitors, take the field, and stand between two goals, placed at the distance of eighty or an hundred yards the one from the other; the ball is made of a blown bladder, and cased with leather; is delivered on the midst of the ground, and the object of each party is to drive it through the goal of their antagonists. The abilities of the performers are best displayed in attacking and defending the goals; when the exercise becomes exceeding violent, the players kick each others shins without the least ceremony, and same of them are overthrown at the hazard of their limbs.” Various …