In medieval days when the aristocracy and upper classes in England took part in indoor games and rode horses for sport, the poor old peasants had to make do with ball games and the like. However even that joy was taken from them when, in 1424, the king forbade men partaking in “fut ball” on pain of a 4 penny fine. This is the first recorded use of the term “foot ball” but the word referred not to a foot kicking a ball but to any games played on foot. In some cases the word "football" was used to refer to games where a ball was used but kicking was banned, as in one description in 1825 of a game called Football:
The game was this: he who at any time got the ball into his hands, run [sic] with it till overtaken by one of the opposite part; and then, if he could shake himself loose from those on the opposite side who seized him, he run on; if not, he threw the ball from him, unless it was wrested from him by the other party, but no person was allowed to kick it.
In 1863 the Football Association was formed in England. This Association of 11 clubs standardised the rules, one such rule being that the carrying of the ball was not permitted. This established the biggest practical difference between Association Football and Rugby Football.
