Since the dawn of time, people played football in the Andes, China and everywhere really, but every country had a different way of playing.

Regulated football is born on an island, and took off from it. Today, if the world is football's kingdom, Great Britain remains its birthplace.

It all started in 1848, in Cambridge. England claims its official deed with the "Football Association" created in 1863, before the “Scottish Football Association” in 1873, the “Football Association of Wales” in 1876, and the “Irish Football Association”, in 1880. These "old ladies" are the oldest football federations in the world. On other islands, different countries developed their own game and its stakes, its fair-play and competitions, stadiums and supporters. And also... the legend of football! British people are so proud of it they could say: United Kingdom of football! Even when Scotland tries to have a different kind of football recognised, played by aristocrats in the fifteenth century with different codes. It is family history.

Even if football games were standardised by British people, football was played only in Great Britain. Before football was recognised by the international authorities and before England became World Champions in 1966 (and won many European championships), England didn't recognise FIFA in 1904, the World cup organisation in 1930 and the European Champions League in 1955. No contact with "European people". Home sweet home…

The first official international game? Scotland-England, Glasgow, 30 November 1872.

The first official professional championship? In England in 1888, Preston North End Football Club and its professional players coming from Scotland. The “Invincible's” great achievement became legendary. The very first stadium? Bramall Lane in Sheffield, in 1862. "Rule Britannia!" Football is getting popular. With powerful managers with economic and social backgrounds. The industrial revolution has helped football to expand: football on Saturdays (and beer), church on Sundays (closed pubs). Saturday's football fever!

Great Britain has created heroes. Nowadays, with due respect, Great Britain recognises the achievements of Real Madrid; The Spanish club has the most Champions League titles. However, the best clubs in the UEFA competitions are from Great Britain(5).The Premier League is the best competition ever. On George Best's tombstone (a football player from Northern Ireland) we can read the words: “Maradona good, Pelé better and George... Best!”. Loud and clear. George Best passed away in 2005 aged 59, he was a winger, a genius in his craft at Manchester United and he won the Ballon d’or (best player in the world) in 1968.

Sometimes admired or laughed at, Great Britain has always kept his maestria. But never created its own national team. Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teams during World Cups or the European competitions. So British, really!