The Man Behind Modern Football: Ebenezer Cobb Morley

Ebenezer Cobb Morley, who lived from 1831 to 1924, is often considered the "father of modern football" because of his crucial role in shaping the foundation of association football (soccer) as we know it. He died on this day 100 years ago.

A solicitor by profession, Morley was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, and had a deep love for different sports. His influence on football stems from his organisational skills and vision for standardising the game.

Commemorative plaque at Freemasons' Tavern, London

In 1863, Morley wrote a letter to the newspaper “Bell’s Life“ proposing a governing body for football. A meeting at London's Freemason's Tavern led to the creation of the Football Association, the inaugural governing body for football. He served as its first secretary and later as its president.

He devised the first comprehensive set of rules of football known as “the laws of the game.” With the instruction “No player should carry the ball,” these rules distinguished football away from Rugby, establishing it as a separate sport. His vision led football to be regarded as a structured sport, rather than a local pastime.

Morley succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 92 and was interred at Barnes Cemetery, a now-deserted graveyard in south-west London.

The global appeal of football can be traced as far back as Morley's contributions, which ultimately propelled the sport right to the top.