Google Doodle Honors football's founding father Ebenezer Cobb Morley; Know more about 'Father of Modern Football'

Before 1863, football was a chaotic sport. There were no and standard proper rules and the game was very unorganized.

Google doodle today celebrated the 187th birthday of  Ebenezer Cobb Morley, who first wrote the standard rules of football. He was born in 1831, in Hull, England.

Google Doodle celebrates 187th birth anniversary of 'father of modern football' Ebenezer Cobb Morleyhttps://t.co/5j4FbqQClR

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) August 16, 2018

Morley relocated to Barnes at the age of 27where he worked as a solicitor. The keen sportsman and son of a minister, Morley founded the Barnes and Mortlake Regatta in 1862 that competed in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in 1864.

He later went on to found the football's leading body Football Association (FA) in England.

However, he created his legacy after writing the rules of the football for the first time.

The football at that time was very brutal and confusing. He saw some potential in the game and planned to standardize it with proper rules.

Also the captain of Bernes, Morley wrote a letter to Bell’s Life of London newspaper mentioning his plan. He also asked financial and technical support from the popular schools of that time but was rejected.

He held a meeting at Freemason’s Tavern in Holborn on 26 October 1863 which later went on to become a historic gathering in football. The meeting was attended by the representatives from various future sports giants like Blackheath, Perceval House, Kensington School, the War Office, Crystal Palace, the Crusaders, Charterhouse and No Names of Kilburn.

The meeting formed the FA with Morey as the secretary who later also became the president of the organization. They published 13 rules which titled 'Laws of the Game' which is regarded as the first rules made in football that prohibited "hacking," or kicking other players.

The rule later standardized football throughout the country with FA as the governing body. FA is currently the permanent member of FIFA.

Morley, also known as the 'Father of Modern Football' died in 1924. On his honor, Ebenezer Morley Day was celebrated on his 150th birthday in 2013 in Morley's hometown of Hull.

The first Rules of football:

1. The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards, the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards, the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goals shall be defined by two upright posts, 8 yards apart, without any tape or bar across them.

2. The winner of the toss shall have the choice of goals. The game shall be commenced by a place kick from the center of the ground by the side losing the toss, the other side shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

3. After a goal is won the losing side shall kick off and the goals shall be changed.

4. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts or over the space between the goal posts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.

5. When the ball is in touch the first player who touches it shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground, in a direction at right angles with the boundary line.

6.When a player has kicked the ball any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent’s goal line is out of play and may not touch the ball himself nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so until the ball has been played, but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked from behind the goal line.

7. In case the ball goes behind the goal line if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his sides shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched. If a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his sides shall be entitled to a free kick (but at the goal only) from a point 15 yards from the goal line opposite the place where the ball is touched. The opposing side shall stand behind their goal line until he has had his kick.

8. If a player makes a fair catch he shall be entitled to a free kick, provided he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once, and in order to take such a kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked.

9. No player shall carry the ball.

10. Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed and no player shall use his hands to hold or push an adversary.

11. A player shall not throw the ball or pass it to another.

12. No player shall take the ball from the ground with his hands while it is in play under any pretense whatever.

13. No player shall wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots.

Happy 187th Birthday Ebenezer Cobb Morley!