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First Pass, the post

Lots of political and footballing heavyweights seem to be touting Queen’s Park to Sepp Blatter for a FIFA award for their role as “trailblazers of the modern game”.

Queen’s Park’s contribution to football, both on a local and worldwide scale, cannot be over-stated. As the first club to play to the passing style and rules of football in the 19th century, their legacy is the brand of football played across the globe today.

Some of the most fundamental elements of the modern game owe their existence to this special club. I can think of no more fitting recognition than the FIFA Order of Merit.

UK PM Gordon Brown, quoted in The Scotsman

Whatever the merits of the case, it’s good to see that there’s a greater awareness of (and desire to recognise) the significant moments in the history and development of football.

Let’s hope that we can be as successful in raising the profile of Battersea Park as the site of the first game to be played under FA rules — the game that we commemorate as the starting point for The Ball’s journey to the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup — because as it stands, there’s not even a blue plaque to mark the spot.

Thanks to The Global Game for the heads-up.

Written by on Monday, March 10th, 2008

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The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.