A Short History Of The Fa Cup And Football Kits

The Football Association Cup is the oldest football competition in the world. It dates back to 1871 when the official set of football rules was laid down. It was the time when the first football kits started to appear to help distinguish players from different teams. This is a short history of the FA Cup and the development of football uniforms.

Although the history of football is rooted in the Middle Ages, the present-day game developed in the 19th century when it came to public schools. There were no formal rules and boys played to agreed rules which weren't recorded on paper. When young players entered universities, they started to establish university football clubs. However, any attempt to organise a match between universities was doomed to failure because players couldn't come to consensus about the rules. But absence of official rules was not the only reason which made it difficult to arrange a match between two teams. The first football clubs had no football kits in distinct colours so it was difficult to tell players of one team from players of the other team.

The first attempt to record football rules was made at Cambridge University in 1848. The rules known as the Cambridge Rules haven't survived till nowadays but a copy dated 1856 is kept at Shrewsbury School. In 1857 a new set of rules appeared - the rules of Sheffield Football Club. They contained some requirements regarding football uniforms and impose wearing distinct elements - caps. In 1863 the national set of football rules was laid down. It was based on the Cambridge Rules and the Sheffield Club rules. According to the new rules, players had to wear football kits which could help distinguish the club they represented. Eight years later the English Football Association Cup was established.

Originally the FA Cup was a competition which only involved clubs belonging to the Association. The first competition was held between 15 teams with the Royal Engineers and Wanderers playing the final match. The Royal Engineers were in dark red and navy shirts and their rivals wore pink, cerise and black uniforms. Back in those days, football clubs were not responsible for purchasing outfits for players so uniforms were in the same colours but had some differences in design.

In 1923 the Football Association Cup Final was played at the Wembley Stadium which became its official venue after that. It was the match between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. In those days football kits became uniform and players no longer had to purchase outfits for their own money. Football clothing manufacturers introduced some innovations in the design: hooped tops, collared shirts, shorts with side stripes, contrasting sleeves, etc.

Nowadays the tournament is not a competition of leagues clubs. All clubs belonging to the Premier League and Football League are automatically eligible to participate in the FA Cup. Clubs from the English football league system can also compete for the Cup if they fulfil certain conditions.