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| Football in England | |
|---|---|
| Sport | Association football |
| Country | England |
| First played | 19th century |
| Governing body | The Football Association |
| Top league | Premier League |
| Domestic cup | FA Cup |
| Stadiums | Wembley Stadium, Old Trafford, Anfield |
Football in England Football in England is the most popular sport in England, with deep roots in the 19th century and a global footprint through clubs, competitions, players and institutions. Its structures span from community pitches in Westminster and Manchester to international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League, while famous clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., and Arsenal F.C. serve as cultural icons.
The modern game emerged from public school rules at institutions like Eton College, Rugby School, and Charterhouse School in the 19th century, influencing early codification by The Football Association in 1863 and the subsequent split with Rugby Football Union. Early competitions included the inaugural FA Cup (1871–72) and the formation of the Football League in 1888 driven by figures such as William McGregor. Professionalism was legalised after disputes involving clubs in Bolton, Sunderland, and Sheffield Wednesday, leading to the expansion into the Second Division and later the Football League Third Division. Interwar and postwar eras saw growth at clubs like Everton F.C., Aston Villa, Chelsea F.C., and heroes such as Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney. European competition involvement began with clubs like Manchester United in the European Cup and later Liverpool F.C. in the UEFA Cup. The creation of the Premier League in 1992, driven by Martin Edwards and broadcast deals with BSkyB, transformed revenue models and global reach, while historic matches at Wembley Stadium and tragedies such as the Hillsborough disaster affected regulation and stadium safety via inquiries like the Taylor Report.
The sport is governed domestically by The Football Association, with league operations managed by entities including the Premier League, the English Football League, and the National League. Regulation involves bodies such as Professional Footballers' Association and disciplinary panels from FA Cup committees. European oversight comes from UEFA and global governance from FIFA, intersecting with commercial partners like IMG and broadcasters such as Sky Sports and BT Sport. Promotion and relegation link systems from the Premier League to the EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two and the National League North and National League South. Financial regulation includes mechanisms like Financial Fair Play and club licensing influenced by stakeholders including The Football Association Council members, club owners from Glazer family and Fenway Sports Group, and investors such as Sheikh Mansour.
Top-tier competition is the Premier League, contested by clubs including Chelsea F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Manchester City F.C., and Leicester City F.C.. The historic FA Cup is open to hundreds of clubs from Crystal Palace level down to Wrexham A.F.C. and non-league sides, while the EFL Cup (League Cup) involves EFL clubs. The Football League runs the EFL Championship, EFL League One, and EFL League Two. Parallel competitions include the FA Community Shield, the EFL Trophy, and county cups like those organized by the Surrey FA and Lancashire FA. Women’s competitions have expanded under the Women's Super League with clubs such as Arsenal W.F.C. and Chelsea F.C. Women, while youth tournaments such as the FA Youth Cup spotlight academies from Manchester United Academy, Chelsea Academy, and Southampton F.C. Academy.
The senior men's team, represented by The Football Association under the name England national football team, competes in UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup, with historic figures including Bobby Moore and managers such as Sir Alf Ramsey and Gareth Southgate. The women's senior squad, the England women's national football team (the Lionesses), won major honours at tournaments like the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. Age-grade sides include the England national under-21 football team and youth setups that feed into senior squads, with training at St George's Park and talent identified via the England Football Talent Pathway. British involvement in multi-sport events has included the Great Britain Olympic football team for the Olympic Games.
Grassroots football is coordinated through county FAs such as the Middlesex FA and programs including the FA Charter Standard and Premier League Primary Stars. Academies operate under the Elite Player Performance Plan with Category One status pursued by clubs like Manchester City F.C. Academy and Arsenal Academy. Youth development pathways feature competitions such as the U18 Premier League and scholarship systems affiliated with clubs including Nottingham Forest F.C. and AFC Bournemouth. Community projects are delivered by charities and trusts tied to clubs, such as the Manchester United Foundation and Liverpool F.C. Foundation, and by institutions like Sport England and the Football Foundation supporting facilities and coaching.
Football shapes local and national identity, visible in rivalries like Manchester derby, North London derby, Merseyside derby, and historic fixtures between Leeds United A.F.C. and Chelsea F.C. or West Ham United F.C. and Millwall F.C.. Fan culture includes supporter groups such as The Kop, ultras influenced by European models like Curva Sud, and media outlets including BBC Sport, The Guardian, and The Times providing coverage. Iconic personalities include players like Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Alan Shearer, and managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger. Social issues intersecting with the sport have prompted responses from bodies like the Kick It Out campaign and inquiries by Parliamentary Football Group members.
Major venues include Wembley Stadium, Old Trafford, Anfield, Etihad Stadium, and Stamford Bridge, with redevelopment projects influenced by legislation after the Taylor Report and safety standards enforced by local authorities including Manchester City Council and Liverpool City Council. Training complexes such as Carrington Training Centre and Cobham Training Centre underpin club operations. Historic grounds like Highbury and Hillsborough Stadium are part of the architectural and social heritage, while newer builds like the London Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium reflect commercial modernisation involving developers such as Mace Group and financiers like Levy family.