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Football - Stirling

Photo of a footballFootball's origins can be traced back to London in 1170, when William FitzStephen wrote in The Life of Thomas Becket, "after dinner all the youths of the city goes out into the fields for the very popular game of ball."

Edward II was so worried that young men were more interested in playing football than in practicing with the longbow that he banned the game. The kings of England were so worried about archery practice that football was proscribed by Edward III, Henry IV, Edward IV, Henry VII and Henry VIII.

In 1572 the Bishop of Rochester wanted to suppress this "evil game" and it was only after the death of Oliver Cromwell that football became legal.

Nowadays, football can count itself the most popular sport in the world.

Download the laws of the game.

The Stirling Centre hosts nine floodlit courts for tennis, netball and five-a-side football.

The Stirling Centre holds pay and play football sessions on Fridays:

  • Five to eight-year-olds, 4-5pm
  • Nine-year-olds and older, 5-6pm

Sessions cost £2.80 for members; £3.75 for non-members.

 

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 818422 or by email: leisure@medway.gov.uk

Write to: The Stirling Centre, 601 Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 3QJ

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