Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

FA Rule Book - The Perfect Father's Day Gift

If you are looking for that perfect Father’s Day gift, UK’s leading book retailer Blackwell has just the answer.

Joining forces with The Football Association and the world renowned Bodleian Library in Oxford, Blackwell is selling copies of ‘The Rules of Association Football, 1863: the original FA rule book’.
With World Cup fever well and truly sweeping the nation, this book is a must for football fans (and dads) everywhere.

The book is crammed full of fascinating facts about the ’beautiful game’, from the sport’s early beginnings through to its present day form and highlights the pivotal role England had in devising its original rules.

With a foreword by World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton and an introduction by writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, this book is a real gem and presents a rare opportunity for fans to delve into the history of what has become one of the most popular sports in the world.

Why not show your dad you care by giving him the chance to be one of the 1st to see and own the original rules of football. This pocket-sized slice of history is priced at only £5.99 so won’t even break the bank! As an extra special gift for the favourite man in our lives, there's also a limited edition available priced at £75.

The book is available from Blackwell stores nationwide or online at www.blackwell.co.uk/farules

For more info please contact:

Carol France
Seal Communications
Tel: 017463 234224
Email: carolfrance@sealcommunications.co.uk

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Key football moments when history could have been changed

Chris Waddle’s miss in the 1990 World Cup when England lost a semi-final penalty shoot-out to Germany. Under the old Rule 4 it would have been a goal.

Geoff Hurst’s second goal in the 1966 World Cup final when the ball bounced down off the bar. The linesman gave a goal. England’s opponents Germany claim the ball did not cross the line. Under the old Rule 4 there would have been no crossbar.

David Beckham’s goal from the half-way line for Manchester United at Southampton would have fallen well short under the old Rule 1, which said that grounds could be a maximum 200 yards long, instead of today’s maximum 130 yards.

Ex-West Ham player Paulo Di Canio’s sportsmanship when he gave up a good scoring opportunity by catching the ball in the Everton box instead of shooting as the goalkeeper lay injured would have won him a freekick under the old Rule 8, instead of being penalised.

Imagine the confusion among the players in the record-breaking Arbroath v Aberdeen Bon Accord match in 1885. It ended 36-0 and under the old Rule 3 the teams would have had to change ends after every goal!

Can you come up with any more?

Notes to Editor:

The Football Association

The FA is the governing body for football in England, responsible for developing the game at every level - from international football to the grassroots. The FA is responsible for 16 different England Teams, including the Senior Team, six youth teams, three women’s teams, five disability teams and the National Game XI. There are also eleven FA Competitions, including the world’s greatest knockout competition, The FA Cup. By administering the laws of the game, The FA is the guardian of English football, whilst developing the game’s future by investing in schools, clubs, counties, leagues and the women’s game. The FA is also developing the new Wembley Stadium.

For further info please visit www.TheFA.com

Carol France at Seal Communications on 017463 234224 or e-mail carolfrance@sealcommunications.co.uk