Goals

Evolution of the football goal

The evolution of the football goal is a fascinating journey, reflecting the broader development of the sport. This is an overview of how the football goal has changed over time.

Early beginnings. Informal and improvised medieval football goals

In the earliest versions of football played in medieval times, there were no formal goals. Games were played in fields or streets, and goals were often improvised landmarks, such as trees, walls, buildings or even town gates. In 1681 a game was played between the servants of the King (anti puritan and party animal) Charles II, and those of the Duke of Albermale, Christopher Monck (Governor of Jamaica). The goals were the doorways of two forts and players attempted to score by driving the ball through them. Obviously Charles II had a lavish feast and a large wager on the game. He wasn’t crowned the party king for nothing.

In medieval football, the goal could be anything.

Early club games

As organised football began to emerge in the 19th century in public schools and clubs, the concept of goals became more defined. Goals were often marked by two upright posts, but there was no crossbar, nets or standard dimensions. Possibly slightly more effective than jumpers for goalposts.

A goal could be scored at any height as long as the ball went between the posts.

Formalisation of the goal

In 1863, the establishment of the Football Association (The FA) led to standardised rules, including specifications for goalposts. Goals were defined as two upright posts 8 yards apart, with no height restriction. A goal could be scored at any height as long as it was between the posts, not unlike modern Rugby or Gaelic Football. Now, if you have ever witnessed the arguments between a bunch of kids playing in the park with jumpers for goalposts, you'll understand why the need for a crossbar became evident. It usually ended in the ball owner getting their way, or they took their ball home. Consequently, in 1866 the crossbar was introduced as a tape or rope across the top of the goal posts. It became mandatory in 1888. At the same time the FA standardised the dimensions of the goal:

This is still the global standard today. I often wonder how they decided on the height. The average height of a man at this time was 5 foot 5 inches (1.67 meters) which is small by the current 5 foot 10 inches. Goalkeepers in the modern game are almost always 6 foot (1.8 meters) plus.

In 1875 many teams used a permanent crossbar replacing the earlier methods to define the upper boundary of the goal. In 1891 nets were introduced following a patent by John Brodie, improving the fairness by clearly determining when a ball had crossed the goal line. I refer back to the jumpers for goalposts scenario. My park football stats would look much healthier if we had nets back then.

Rope or tape was used to define the upper limits of the goal.

Nets evolved over time to improve the durability and visibility. Early versions were basic, but modern versions are made from high strength materia;ls to withstand powerful shots. Nets became such a vital part of the culture surrounding football and scoring a goal is just not the same without a net. There is a hollow feeling, booting a ball into a goal without a net (plus you have to go and get the ball after, park rules determine that whoever boots it gets it). The “crack” as the ball hits the back of the net is a special noise and evokes passion and excitement amongst the most grizzled of football fans.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of the ball hiting the back of the net.