logo-wp3

History

In 1890..

Mr. William McCrum from Milford, Co. Armagh, N. Ireland gave football the penalty kick, arguably world sports' most dramatic rule. McCrum's idea for penalising foul play around goalmouths rocked the Victorian establishment that ran football. The English FA regarded it as a contradiction in terms: only gentlemen played soccer and gentlemen didn't cheat, while the press angrily condemned the "Irishman's motion" as a "death sentence" for the game. Although an Irish league founder and one of their key administrators, the young goalkeeper got little or no credit and the penalty rule passed into history as a happy accident. But then who could have foretold just how important the kick would become, going on to decide the outcome of some of the world's greatest cup competitions.

The Inventor – William McCrum

The Inventor – William McCrum

In 1932 an obituary appeared in an Armagh newspaper reflecting on the life of a highly respected local citizen and businessman. In it, a certain William Mc Crum of Milford was lauded as a brilliant scholar, storyteller and outstanding sportsman. Nothing unusual about that if it had not contained a reference to the fact that… Continue reading The Inventor – William McCrum

The Penalty Kick Rule – Law 14

The Penalty Kick Rule – Law 14

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. Procedure The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark and the… Continue reading The Penalty Kick Rule – Law 14