Portal:English football

The English Football Portal

The England national football team playing at Wembley Stadium in 2008

Football is the most popular sport in England. Widely regarded as the birthplace of modern football, the first official rules of the game were established in England in 1863. The country is home to the world's first football league, the oldest national governing body, and the oldest national knockout competition. With over 40,000 football clubs, England has more teams involved in the sport than any other country. The world's first football club, Sheffield F.C., and the oldest professional club, Notts County, were both founded in England.

The influence of the British Empire helped spread football across the globe, shaping the development of the modern Laws of the Game. England's domestic football scene remains one of the strongest in the world, with the Premier League ranking among the richest and most popular leagues globally. As of 2024, six of the ten richest football clubs were English. Football remains deeply ingrained in English culture, with 31% of the population expressing an interest in the sport. (Full article...)

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The 2008 UEFA Champions League final was a football match played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on 21 May 2008, to decide the winner of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League. It was contested by Manchester United and Chelsea, making it an all-English final for the first time in European Cup history. It finished 1-1 after extra time, but Manchester United won 6–5 on penalties, winning it for the third time. This success also marked the 100th anniversary of Manchester United's first league triumph in 1908, the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, and the 40th anniversary of United's first European Cup triumph in 1968.

Chelsea have never gone to this stage of the competition until 2008, but United have appeared in two European Cup finals before in 1968 and 1999, both ending in victory, with the latter capping off a treble. The two started off in the group stages and both finished top spot, but Chelsea decided to change their manager, with Jose Mourinho being dismissed and Avram Grant was named as his replacement. United had gotten past the defending French champions Lyon, Italian club Roma, and a two-time European Cup winner at the time, Barcelona. Chelsea, on the other hand, have had a more bumpier ride, having only drawn 0-0 at Greek club Olympiakos in the last 16 and trailed 2-1 to Turkish champions Fenerbahçe in the quarter-final first legs. However, they won both second legs at home and set up a semi-final against Liverpool, the team that beat them at this stage twice in three years. Ultimately, Chelsea made it third time lucky against the then five-time winners, defeating them 4-3 on aggregate to make their first ever European Cup final.

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Did you know...

...that former Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday footballer Brian Hornsby trekked to Machu Picchu (pictured) with musician Tony Hadley in aid of Action Medical Research?

...that the former English football player Eric Brook was the all-time record goalscorer for Manchester City F.C. with 178 goals until his tally was surpassed by Sergio Agüero in 2017?

...that footballer George Wynn was Manchester City's leading goalscorer in three consecutive seasons?

...that Tommy Johnson holds the record for the most goals scored by a Manchester City player in a single season?

...that, before Wayne Rooney made his debut in February 2003, England's youngest ever football player was James F. M. Prinsep, who had held the record for more than 123 years?

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Key's Park, home of 2004 champions Hednesford Town

The Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for clubs playing in levels 5-8 of the English football league system (steps 1-4 of the National League System), which currently covers the three divisions of the Football Conference along with the Southern League, Isthmian League, and Northern Premier League. Clubs in lower levels of the National League System play in the FA Vase.

It was created by the Football Association in 1969 for semi-professional teams, to complement the existing FA Amateur Cup. When the latter was abolished in 1974, the leading amateur teams joined the Trophy. The final was traditionally held at the old Wembley Stadium, but was moved to Villa Park during Wembley's redevelopment. The 2005-06 final was held at Upton Park, London.

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Credit: Wikipedia user FGROVER1989

Forest Green Rovers' stadium The New Lawn has been their Conference National home since 2006. They previously played their home matches at The Lawn Ground. The name of the new stadium is yet to be confirmed, as the club are still looking for a stadium sponsor.

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