TRIGGERnometry The Real History of Football - Jonathan Wilson
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Dec 28, 2025 
Jonathan Wilson, a British sports journalist and author, delves into the fascinating evolution of football. He discusses how its simplicity contributed to its global appeal and contrasts the sport's origins between public schools and working-class clubs. Wilson explores why football struggled in North America, the rise of mass entertainment in Britain, and the socio-political factors influencing hooliganism. He also highlights women's soccer development, the Premier League's cultural reach, and the World Cup's use as soft power.
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Why Football Spread Worldwide
- Football's simplicity and minimal equipment make it globally adoptable and easy to play anywhere.
- That accessibility, plus clear scoring, helped football become the world's dominant sport.
1863: Football's Rules Were Unified
- Modern association football crystallized in 1863 when the FA set unified laws, solving divergent public school rules.
- The FA Cup (from 1872) and later the league system standardized competition and boosted popularity.
Empire Networks Carried Football
- British empire networks (teachers, clergy, engineers) exported football to ports and cities worldwide.
- Local populations adopted football because it required little infrastructure compared with sports like cricket.
