A Game of Two Halves. We all now know how the Football Associations Rule Book was first written and presented by Ebenezer Cobb Morley. It transformed football as it sought to end the situation that was prevalent at the time, the same sport played under different rules. The common practice at the time was if two teams played under different rules, the first half would be played under one set and the second half the other! Hence the phrase "A game of two halves". Much has been said about Hull City's supporter base being divided. Cobb Morley's aim was to unify the sport under one rule book and whilst the Rugby code, did not agree, most of the football clubs, over a period of time adopted the Football Association Rules and the modern game started to develop. Could the book that introduced some unity in football build some unity in support for Hull City. Is it possible to bring the FA's First Rule Book to the City of Culture, Hull 2017. I believe that building on the banner theme and DMD's call for positives going forward, we (this forum) could be the catalyst for a group formed with that one purpose. It should be independent, with no supporter group claiming it for their own, just like the banners. It needs: A number of people willing to meet up and put it together. A name. Posters to be supportive. Good contacts I believe it is possible, I have to admit, that I tried sometime ago to get it done, I wanted to be able to say, look the FA are willing to loan it, we just need to get something sorted, but, I stumbled around and got nowhere. It was a chicken an egg situation, if the FA say's no, there is no point, but unless you have some structure they will not say yes. I tried at the wrong time and maybe I was the wrong person as well. Some on here knew what I was trying to do and they supported it. Is the time right now? Are people willing to step forward? I am not putting myself forward to lead this, I am willing to play a part, but I do not feel I am the right person to head it up. Its an idea and I think that this forum has the perfect mix of support, experience and knowledge to do it.
The term 'a game of two halves' was coined by commentators, the first record of the term is in the Soccer Dictionary of 1988/89.
I think it's a great initiative. The local FA could have some useful input. It could be an idea to post this on CI too as ten foot has some link there, and could have some ideas to promote it in his magazine. Hopefully some on here will have some useful ideas and connections.
A nice idea but the FA might argue that it was written in London years after he had left Hull. Certainly Hull should make more of the connection. You can be sure if someone from Hull had drawn up the rules of rugby league in Huddersfield a big deal would have been made of it.
I never knew Cobb Morley rowed from London to Hull. That'd be a great way to deliver the book. I'd be up for having a go at that.
Pretty much what I put. Someone reckoned they'd read an article saying Cobb Morley and two others rowed from London to Hull. I know he was a keen oarsman, so it's possible he did, anyone shed any light?
Was he responsible for the move up north for the hq? And if so, is the museum possibly a consequence?
Cobb Morley was a very keen rower and according to Water Boiling Aft in May 1863 he and some mates rowed from London to Hull. Mind you OLM will probably tell me I have it all wrong and they in fact argued all the way up on a train.
I would be up for getting involved in this. Very much my sphere of interest. please let me know what the way forward is - pm preferable I guess.
To be honest, I don't know. There is a poster on here who knows a bit about Alan Hardaker if he reads this.
Wrong! They flew up from London City to Humberside. Had an A380 all to themselves flown by Doug Bader.
Me sat at one end shouting 'stroke, stroke' could be taken as a cry of ill-health, or several other ways too.
