Soccer is one of the most popular and celebrated sports in the entire world. This is due in part at least, to the game’s rich and intriguing history that has captured the imagination of many of the fans and player who love it..
The earliest known games of soccer were being played in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In fact there are artifacts from the Han dynasty that depict people playing with a leather ball and kicking it into a net. It is also known that Romans and Greeks would play a similar game to this for fun. Certain facts point to a ball kicking game being played in Japan around this time as well.
Modern soccer as we know it began to develop in the heart of England. There is even a gruesome legend that the head of a Danishman was once used as the ball. Considering the medieval times in which the game rose in popularity, this may not be too far from the truth. The oldest forms of soccer permitted a rather barbaric rule set that allowed for kicking and punching of the opponent. Even gouging eyes and biting ears was common practice. Early forms also allowed for the ball to be carried by a player, making early soccer resemble rugby more than the sport we know today. Fortunately, soon more civilized rules were implemented, and the game evolved in sophistication to become the fan favorite that it is today.
Kathy Nowrey is a businesswoman who also has a passion for soccer, as she has played the game since she was a child.
The earliest known games of soccer were being played in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In fact there are artifacts from the Han dynasty that depict people playing with a leather ball and kicking it into a net. It is also known that Romans and Greeks would play a similar game to this for fun. Certain facts point to a ball kicking game being played in Japan around this time as well.
Modern soccer as we know it began to develop in the heart of England. There is even a gruesome legend that the head of a Danishman was once used as the ball. Considering the medieval times in which the game rose in popularity, this may not be too far from the truth. The oldest forms of soccer permitted a rather barbaric rule set that allowed for kicking and punching of the opponent. Even gouging eyes and biting ears was common practice. Early forms also allowed for the ball to be carried by a player, making early soccer resemble rugby more than the sport we know today. Fortunately, soon more civilized rules were implemented, and the game evolved in sophistication to become the fan favorite that it is today.
Kathy Nowrey is a businesswoman who also has a passion for soccer, as she has played the game since she was a child.
