1846 – First rules drafted

1869 – Goal kicks were taken

1872 – Corners followed

1872 – The size of the ball was fixed

1874 – Shin pads were worn on the OUTSIDE of the sock

1875 – The crossbar replaced the tape

1878 – Umpires’ whistle replaced the handkerchief

1882 – Two handed throw-in was enforced

1890 – Goal nets were used

1891 – The penalty kick (the “kick of death”) was included in the laws

1891 – One referee replaced TWO umpires (one per team)

1902 – The penalty and goal area markings were made

1905 – Goalkeeper had to remain on the goal line for penalty kicks

1905 – First GBP1,000 player transfer (pounds)

1912 – Goalkeepers restricted to handle the ball within the penalty area ONLY

1925 – The offside rule amended to include two defenders (previously attackers needed to be behind the ball)

1924 – Away strips were recommended to avoid the clashes

1928 – First GBP10,000 player transfer

1939 – Shirt numbers featured for the first time

1951 – The ball became white

1956 – Debut game under floodlights

1962 – First GBP00,000 player transfer

1966 – Substitutes were permitted in league games

1976 – Red and yellow cards were introduced

1979 – First GBP1,000,000 player transfer was Trevor Francis from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest (although Brian Clough, the manager paid GBP1 short so the milestone did not go to the player’s head)

1992 – The back-pass ruling was created

With Thanks to Andy H

Ha Ha Ha... referee's handkerchief... they must have absolutely looked like pansies....