Rules of Football in 1891

Here are, firstly, the laws of football as played by the Ironopolis team at the start of season 1891/92. It was the second of their three Northern League seasons. The laws are followed by the rules of the Football League in force during the club's time there in season 1893/94

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ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

LAWS OF THE GAME

REVISED JUNE 1891

1. The limits of the ground shall be -- maximum length, 200 yards; minimum length, 100 yards; maximum breadth, 100 yards; minimum breadth, 50 yards. The length and breadth shall be marked off with flags and touch lines; and the lines defining 6 yards from the goal posts and 12 yards from the goal line shall also be marked out. The centre of the ground shall be indicated by a suitable mark, and a circle with a 10 yards radius shall be made round it. The goals shall be upright posts, 8 yards apart, with a bar across them, 8ft. from the ground. The circumference of the Association ball shall be not less than 27in., nor more than 28in. ; and in International matches, at the commencement of the game the weight of the ball shall be from 13 to 15 ounces.

2. The winners of the toss shall have the option of kick-off, or choice of goals. The game shall be commenced by a place-kick from the centre of the ground in the direction of the opposite goal-line. The other side shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is kicked off, nor shall any player on either side pass the centre of the ground in the direction of his opponents' goal until the ball is kicked off.

3. Ends shall only be changed at half time. After a goal is won the losing side shall kick off, but after the change of ends at half-time the ball shall be kicked off by the opposite side from that which originally did so; and always as provided in Law 2.

4. A goal shall be won when the ball has passed between the goal posts under the bar, not being thrown, knocked on, or carried by any one of the attacking side. The ball hitting the goal or boundary posts, or goal bar, and rebounding into play, is considered in play. The ball crossing the goal or touch line, either on the ground or in the air, is out of play.

5. When the ball is in touch, a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall throw it in from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground. The thrower facing the field of play shall throw the ball over his head with both hands in any direction, and it shall be in play when thrown in. The thrower shall not play until the ball has been played by another player.

6. When a player kicks the ball, or throws it in from touch, any one of the same side who at such moment of kicking or throwing is nearer to the opponents' goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, or in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until the ball has been played, unless there are at such moment of kicking or throwing at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal-line; but no player is out of play in case of a corner-kick, or when the ball is kicked off from goal, or when it has been last played by an opponent.

7. When the ball is played behind the goal-line by one of the opposite side it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal-line it went, within six yards of the goal-post nearest the point where the ball left the field of play; but if played behind by any one of the side whose goal-line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from within one yard of the nearest corner flag-post. In either case no opponent shall be allowed within six yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

8. No player shall carry, knock on, or handle the ball under any pretence whatever, except in the case of the goal-keeper, who, within his own half of the ground, shall be allowed to use his hands in defence of his goal, either by knocking on or throwing, but not by carrying the ball. The goal-keeper may be changed during the game, but not more than one player shall act as goal-keeper at the same time, and no second player shall step in and act during any period in which the regular goal-keeper may have vacated the position.

9. In no case shall a goal be scored from any free kick (except as provided in Law 13), nor shall the ball be again played by the kicker until it has been played by another player. The kick-off, the corner-flag, and goal kicks shall be free kicks within the meaning of this rule.

10. Neither tripping, hacking, nor jumping at a player shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary. No player may charge an opponent from behind, unless such an opponent be not only facing his own goal, but is, in the opinion of the referee, wilfully impeding his adversary while in that position.

11. No player shall wear any nails, excepting such as have their heads driven in flush with the leather or iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots or on his shin guards. If bars or studs on the soles or heels of the boots are used, they shall not project more than half-an-inch, and shall have all their fastenings driven in flush with the leather. Bars should be transversed and flat, not less than one-and-a-half inches in length and a half-inch in width. Studs shall be round in plan, not less than half-an-inch in diameter, and in no case conical or pointed. Any player discovered infringing this rule shall be prohibited from taking further part in the match.

12. A referee shall be appointed, whose duties shall be to enforce the rules and decide all disputed points. He shall also keep a record of the game, and act as timekeeper; and, in the event of any ungentlemanly behaviour on the part of any of the contestants, the offender or offenders shall be cautioned, and if the offence is repeated, or, in case of violent conduct, without any previous caution, the referee shall have power to rule the offending player or players out of play, and shall transmit the name or names of such player or players to his or their (National) Association, in whom shall be solely vested the right of accepting an apology. The referee shall have power to terminate the game whenever, by reasons of darkness, interference by spectators, or other cause, he shall think fit, and he shall report the same to the Association under whose jurisdiction the match was played, who shall have full power to deal with the matter. Two linesmen shall be appointed, whose duty (SUBJECT TO THE DECISION OF THE REFEREE) shall be to decide when the ball is out of play, and which side is entitled to the corner-flag kick, goal-kick, or throw in. Any undue interference by a linesman shall be reported by the referee to the National Association to which the linesman belongs, who shall deal with the matter in such manner as they may deem necessary. The referee shall have power to award a free kick without any appeal in any case where he thinks that the conduct of a player is dangerous. or likely to prove dangerous, but not sufficiently so as to justify him in putting in force the greater powers vested in him as above.

13. If any player shall intentionally trip or hold an opposing player, or deliberately handle the ball, within twelve yards from his own goal-line, the referee shall, on appeal, award the opposing side a penalty kick, to be taken from any point twelve yards from the goal-line, under the following conditions :-All players, with the exception of the player taking the penalty kick and the opposing goalkeeper (who shall not advance more than six yards from the goal-line)shall stand at least six yards behind the ball. The ball shall be in play when the kick is taken, and a goal may be scored from the penalty kick.

14. In the event of an appeal for any supposed infringement of the rules, the ball shall be in play until a decision has been given.

15. The referee shall have power to stop the game for such a time as he may think fit, whenever he may deem it necessary to do so.

16. In the event of any temporary suspension of play from any cause, the ball not having gone into touch, or behind the goal-line, the game shall be restarted by the referee throwing up the ball at the spot where play was suspended, and the players on either side shall not play the ball until it has touched the ground.

17. In the event of any infringement of rules 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 16, a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side, from the spot where the infringement took place.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

A place-kick is a kick at the ball while it is on the ground, in any position in which the kicker may choose to place it.

A free-kick is a kick at the ball in any direction the player pleases, when it is lying on the ground, none of the kicker's opponents being allowed within six yards of the ball, unless they be standing on their own goal line. The ball must at least be rolled over before it shall be considered played.

Hacking is kicking an adversary intentionally.

Tripping is throwing, or attempting to throw, an adversary by the use of the legs, or by stooping in front of, or behind him.

Knocking-on is when a player strikes or propels the ball with his hands or arms.

Holding includes the obstruction of a player by the hand or any part of the arm extending from the body.

Handling is understood to be playing the ball with the hand or arm.

Touch is that part of the field, on either side of the ground, which is beyond the line of play.

Carrying is taking more than two steps while holding the ball.

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F O O T B A L L L E A G U E

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President : W McGREGOR, Birmingham

Vice-presidents : J J BENTLEY, Bolton ; E Browne, Nottingham

Secretary : H LOCKETT, Stoke-on-Trent. Telegrams : "Lockett, Hanley"

Management Committee : W McGREGOR, President; J J Bentley, Bolton; E Browne, Notts, Vice-presidents; L Ford, West Bromwich Albion; R Molyneux, Everton; J Parlby, Ardwick; W Starling, Small Heath

Appeal Committee : J C Clegg, Sheffield; C Crump, Wolverhampton; W Forrest, Bolton

Auditors : H S Radford, Nottingham Forest; J G Hall, Crewe

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SECRETARIES NAMES AND ADDRESSES

Includes: SECOND DIVISION

Middlesbrough Ironopolis : J G Beckton, 34, St Paul's-road, Middlesbrough.

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COLOURS

Includes: Middlesbrough Ironopolis -- Cherry and White.

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OFFICIAL REFEREES

Includes: Beckton, J G, 34 St Paul's-road, Middlesbrough

Chalmers, W C, Waterloo-road, Middlesbrough

Hardisty, Fred, 5, Glenholme-terrace, Borough-road, Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough Ironopolis joined the Football League in 1893, competing in the second of the two divisions at the time. These are the rules they played under.

F O O T B A L L L E A G U E R U L E S

This amalgamation of clubs shall be called " The Football League," and shall consist of 32 clubs, divided into two divisions, 16 clubs to form the first division, and sixteen the second division. The clubs in the first division shall pay an annual subscription of £5 5s., together with an entrance fee of £5 5s. In the second division the annual subscription shall be £4 4s., and an entrance fee of £2 2s. The League may order a match to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the League, or may call upon each club to contribute equally such sums as they may deem advisable.
The annual general meeting shall be held on or before the 21st May in each year. The League shall be governed at annual or general meetings by representatives of each of the 32 clubs, each club being represented by one person only. The president, vice-presidents, committee of management, and secretary for the year shall be elected at the annual meeting in May. At all general meetings resolutions submitted shall be decided by a three-fourths majority. 22 to form a quorum
Each division shall manage its own affairs through its representatives
There shall be a management committee to consist of the president, one vice-president, and two representatives of each division. A board of appeal shall be appointed, consisting of three persons not being representatives of any club in the League, who shall be elected at the annual meeting and whose decision shall be final.
At the end of each competition, the club in each class scoring the largest number of points shall be declared the champion club of that class. Should two or more clubs be equal in points, the club having the best goal average to be the winners. The scoring shall be two points for a win, and one for a draw. The three lowest clubs in Class 1 shall play the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Class 2, thus --No.16 in Class 1 shall play No.1 in Class2; No.15 in Class 1 shall play No.2 in Class 2; No.14 in Class 1 shall play No.3 in Class 2. The matches to be played on neutral grounds, and the League to take one-third of the net proceeds, the remaining two-thirds to be equally divided between the two clubs competing in the match in each case. The winning club to take the place of the losers if they (the losers) shall belong to a class higher.The four clubs in Class 2 having the lowest number of points shall retire compulsorily at the end of each season, but shall be eligible for re-election. All elections shall be conducted by ballot.
All matches shall be played under the Rules of the Football Association, and shall be of ninety minutes duration, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. Any bona fide member of a club shall be allowed to play provided he has not taken part in a League match for another club during the same season, or is not registered for another club. If he has so played, or he remains on the League's Register of Players, permission for his transfer must be obtained from the club with which he was first engaged and sanctioned by the Management Committee of the League. Transfer forms to be obtained from the Secretary.

A bona fide member of a club (amateur or professional) is one who has signed a registration form (such signature to be witnessed by a second person) and has been registered with the League Secretary seven days before playing. Any club infringing this rule may have two points deducted from its score, and be liable to a fine not exceeding £25. In the event of a player signing two or more forms, for two or more respective clubs, priority of registration shall decide to which club the player belongs, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the club last registering such player of his previous registration, and report the same to the management committee. Any player who is on the register does not require re-registration each season. A player is eligible for a match if his registration form has been in the hands of the secretary seven days prior to the advertised time of kick-off of such match.

(a) Each club shall furnish the secretary, on or before May 31st, with a list of players that they wish to retain.

(b) A list of players that they are open to transfer.

(c) The terms of such transfers to be supplied to the management committee, and in case of any dispute to be settled by the management committee.

Any club guilty of inducing or attempting to induce a bona fide player or players of another League club to leave the club for which he is registered shall be deemed guilty of misconduct, and shall be liable to expulsion. Any club of the League offering, directly or indirectly, more than a £10 bonus to a player shall likewise be deemed guilty of misconduct. This also applies to the payment of wages in advance.
All matches shall be arranged at a League meeting specially convened for the purpose, after the Annual Conference of the Football Association Secretaries, and at this meeting dates shall be fixed on which the competition shall be concluded. If possible the dates of such matches shall be arranged by mutual consent, failing which, the League shall decide them. In the event of any club failing to keep its engagements, without giving a satisfactory explanation, it shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £50, and to be further dealt with as the League may determine. Any club making a tie in any cup competition, and by chance against another League club, must re-play such tie on any date other than a Saturday.
In the event of any match not being played, or being ordered to be re-played, owing to fog, or other cause over which neither club has control, it shall be played on a date mutually arranged, within twenty-one days, and the receipts at such matches shall be divided as the League may determine, having regard to the peculiarities of the case.
The club declared the champions in class 1 shall hold the Championship Cup, and the champions of class 2 shall hold a shield until the next season's competition is concluded.
The management committee shall have power to deal with any offending club or clubs, player or players, as they may think fit and to deal with any matter not provided for in these rules.
All protests and complaints shall be heard and determined by the management committee of the League. Any appeal therefrom shall be to the Board of Appeal, of which notice must be lodged with the secretary within fourteen days of the decision, accompanied by a deposit of £10, which shall be forfeited in the event of the complaint not being sustained. The Board of Appeal may, in addition, order the complaining club to pay the expenses of the members of the Board of Appeal who attend such meeting, and also the expenses of the opposing club. At the annual meeting a majority of the representatives of the clubs present shall have power to exclude from the following season's competition any club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been objectionable.
Each club shall play its full strength in all matches, unless some satisfactory reason is given. In the event of the explanation not being deemed satisfactory the management committee shall have power, at their discretion, to inflict a fine not exceeding £50.
No League club shall be allowed to visit the ground of any other club (except those clubs forming the League), within a radius of four miles, until after the League engagement on its opponent's ground has been fulfilled. Clubs may arrange friendly fixtures with clubs in another division, providing that an interval of one month shall intervene between such friendly fixture and the League match of the visiting club in the district. No League club to arrange matches until after the League fixtures are arranged. Each club must send the results of League matches, with the names of the players competing therein, to the League secretary within seven days of each match. In case of default a fine of 10s to be imposed.
Each club in the League shall register its colours with the secretary. No two clubs in any one division shall play against each other in the same colours. In the event of two clubs wishing to play in the same colours, the club having been the longest time in the League shall be entitled to precedence.
The annual report and balance sheet, duly audited, shall be forwarded to each club at least seven days before the date of the annual meeting. Application by clubs for admission to the League must be made in writing, to the secretary, at least seven days before the annual meeting.
No alteration shall be made in these rules except at the annual meeting, or at a specially convened meeting for the purpose; and fourteen days' notice must be given to the secretary of any proposed alterations or additions, the same to be printed and forwarded to the clubs at least seven days before the meeting, and such alterations or additions shall not be deemed carried unless supported by at least three-fourths of the votes of the members present.
Each club shall take its own gate receipts, and no less a charge than 6d. for the first division and 4d. for the second division shall be made for admission to any League match. Ladies and boys under 14 excepted.
At each meeting the expenses of the representatives shall be paid out of the League funds, such expenses being first-class railway fare and hotel expenses, i.e., 5s. up to thirty miles, over thirty miles 10s.

Each club shall send in a list of referees to the management committee, who shall select names therefrom. The referees for each match to be appointed monthly by the management committee.

The fees for referees shall be--

Up to 60 miles..................................... £1 1 0

Over " ....................................... £1 11 6

And third-class railway fare.

Each club shall pay the referee his fee on the day of the match.

The referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of ground in all matches, and each club must take every precaution to keep its ground in a playing condition, and, if necessary, the home club may require the referee to visit the ground two hours before the advertised time of kick-off.

The secretary shall be a paid official. He shall not be allowed to vote at any meeting, nor shall he be connected officially, or otherwise, with any League club. He shall receive the subscriptions and all monies accruing to the League, and shall account to the management committee, and shall give adequate security to the League. The secretary's accounts shall be audited every four months by two auditors appointed from the general body of the League. No accounts shall be paid until passed by the management committee. The secretary shall attend and keep a record of all meetings of the management committee and of the League.
All communications must be addressed to the secretary, who shall conduct the correspondence of the League. On the secretary receiving a requisition signed by half the members, he shall convene a meeting of the League. He shall also convene a meeting at any time upon being directed to do so by the management committee, and, when possible, seven clear day's notice shall be given of all meetings.

Other Ironopolis pages:-

Introduction

Top of the Page

Back to Law 1 - Association Football Back to Rule 1 - Football League

From 1889 to 1894

4 Seasons of League Football

Match by match

The other teams in the Football League 2nd. Division 1893/94

Knockout expoits of Ironopolis and others

Accounts of individual games, mainly 1893/94.

The men who made it

1894 Ordnance Survey map

Laws of Football in the 1890s and the rules of the Football League 1893