In 1863 the first set of rules for association football were established. Those rules were the influence for the Laws of the Game. Football is a National sport in England. England has more than 40,000 football clubs and millions and million of spectators at those games every season. England has close to 100 professional football clubs, the Football League, which is the oldest national league, the Football Association, which is the oldest governing body, and the most popular league in all of the worlds leagues the Premier League which is known as “the World’s greatest show”

From back in medieval times football has been played in England. The first world football club was a team known as the Gymnastic Society of London which was developed in the eighteenth century. In the year 1848 the first rules were drawn up at Cambridge University and they were called the Cambridge rules.

Many codes were developed with these rules which included association football.

England’s top football clubs decided to break away from the Football League, which formed the Premier League in 1992. The Premier League sits at the top of the English football pyramid with promotion to and from it with the Championship. Currently the league consists of 20 teams, each facing each other twice a season (home and away matches) The top four placed teams at the end of the season earn qualification to the UEFA (Europe) Champions League, a competition with significant financial benefits, the next highest placed team qualify to the less glamorous Europa League. The three teams that finish at the bottom end of the League over the course of a season face relegation to the football championship league.

Reserve leagues were created in 1999. They are called The Premier Reserve League. The Premier League is divided into two leagues, Premier Reserve League South and Premier Reserve League North which is designed to decrease the travel demands on players. Support at reserve team games tends to be minimal

In 1915 the Football Combination was formed and it has thirty teams. This division is splint into Wales, Cast, and Central. These teams are primarily reserve teams. There are also professional teams in this league. Some of the teams can enter the race for the Combination Challenge Cup.

England does have football that is not a part of a league. Those are the teams that play in the organized league competitions but are not actually a part of a league. However these are none too common and are the teams are not officially recognised and are not members of the Football Association of England. Within English football there are also many amateur leagues and youth leagues. The amateur leagues make football one of the biggest participation sports in England. The youth leagues provide an opportunity for the next generation of football fans to develop a love for the game but are also the breeding ground for the next generation of star players as professional clubs employ many youth scouts to visit youth teams looking for talented youngsters.

Who to buy football gifts for and what is out there to buy for them?

The first thing that you need to consider and get right is what club they support. The last thing you want to do is buy a Tottenham supporter an Arsenal gift. That would be a real ouch! Certainly don”t assume that because the Dad supports Chelsea that the wife, son or daughter supports them too.

How do you find out which team they support, well just ask and you can be sure they will tell you. Don”t just think about buying football gifts for men and boys as there are loads of women and girls that are nuts about football and many play football too.

There is an unbelievable amount of football gifts out there that can be bought and most football fans are happy to receive anything to do with their football club from a keyring to a ticket to see their club play. This is probably the ultimate gift you could buy if they are not a season ticket holder and if they can travel relatively easily to the ground as there is nothing to beat watching your own club play football win lose or draw!!

Personalised football gifts are fast becoming the thing to give as a memorable present. You can buy framed pictures of club dressing rooms with players named shirts hanging up with the middle shirt customisable with the recipient”s name and number and with a place to sign the picture alongside replica autographs of the club players. This is unfortunately not available for all clubs however the list of participating clubs is getting larger.

Another couple of options similar to the Dressing Room picture are a Club magazine cover and a Club Programme Cover. These are available for the same clubs as the Dressing Room picture and are official club merchandise.

A beautiful present that will be really appreciated is the football club history in newspapers. This comes beautifully bound in a Leather or Leatherette book that can be embossed with the recipient”s name along with a presentation certificate on the inside cover. It is a truly magnificent gift and is available for over 60 different football clubs. This is something that will be treasured for many years to come.

For a more reasonable football gift why not buy a personalised football calendar where the lucky recipient has their name cleverly placed within each individual month”s picture. The truly great thing about this football gift is that the calendar can start at whatever month you choose. If you are giving the football gift in April then the calendar can run from April through to March of the following year.