1857 Sheffield, the oldest football ( soccer ) club, founded in 1857, adopts a set of Sheffield Club Rules.
1863 The Football Association is formed in London and, after some disputes, establishes its own set of 14 laws on December 1 st.
1865 It is agreed that tape must be stretched across the goal at a height of eight feet.
1866 The offside rule states that there must be at least three opponents betwen attacker and goal.
1869 Goal - kicks are introduced.
1871 In this, the first year of the FA Cup, Goalkeepers are mentioned in the laws for the first time.
1872 The size of the ball is fixed for the first time.
1874 Shinguards are introduced and umpires are mentioned in the laws.
1875 The crossbar, a Sheffield innovation, replaces the goal-tape.
1878 First use of the whistle to control the game.
1882 The two-handed throw-in is introduced.
1885 Professionals allowed for the first time.
1888 The Football League Formed.
1890 Goal-nets used for the first time.
1891 The penalty kick introduced, and a referee and two linesmen replace the umpires.
1898 The number of official laws now reaches the modern figure of 17.
1905 Goalkeepers are ordered to stay on their goal-line for penalties.
1912 Goalkeeper's use of hand is restricted to his penalty area.
1913 Distance of opponents at free-kicks is extended from 8 to 10 yards.
1914 Distance of opponents at corner-kicks is also extended to 10 yards.
1920 Players cannot be offside at throw-in.
1924 A goal may be scored direct from a corner-kick.
1925 A player must have both feet on the touch-line for throw-in.
1925 The offside rule is modified from 3 to 2 defenders between attacker and goal.
1929 Goalkeepers are ordered to stand still on their goal-line for the taking of penalty kick.
1931 The goalkeeper can take 4 instead of only 2 steps while carrying the ball.
1938 The 17 Laws of the Game are redrafted into their modern form by Stanley Rous, Secretary of the Football Association.
1939 The numbering of players is made compulsory.
1965 One substitute is allowed to replace an injured player in League matches.
1966 One substitute is allowed to replace a player for any reason in League matches.
1976 Yellow ( warning ) cards and red ( sending-off ) cards introduced for display by referees.