Posts

When three codes crossed borders: Ironies of footballs’ first Internationals

In the late 19th century, the spread of foundational football codes resulted in three landmark first “international” matches in one decade—Rugby in 1871, Soccer in 1872, and Aussie Rules in 1879—with only two currently recognised by their world bodies. Geoffrey Gold revisits those formative contests, where local loyalties, emerging identities, and sporting innovation collided, shaping the distinct global paths of  sporting competitions. The world's first 'capped' international footballers of the first Rugby International in 1871 - Left: Scotland's  (back): R. Munro, J.S. Thompson, J.W. Arthur, T. Chalmers; (standing): A. Buchanan, A.G. Colville, W. Forsyth, J.A. Mein, R.W. Irvine, W.D. Brown, A. Drew, W. Cross, J.F. Finlay, F.J. Moncrieff, G. Ritchie; (sitting): B. Ross, W. Lyall, T.R. Marshall, J.H. McFarlane, A.H. Robertson; and Right: England's  J.E. Bentley, A.E. Gibson, F. Tobin), D.L.P. Turner, F. Stokes, J.H. Clayton, R.R. Osbourne, J.H. Luscombe; (mi...

Sports diplomacy and investment means more than money for Saudi Arabia's global pivoting

Questioning the link between repetitive head injuries and the degenerative brain disease CTE

Olympic venues are often massive infrastructure projects - how many are still in use?

New game plans as more countries become competitive in sports diplomacy

Is removing term limits for top sports officials an opening for corruption?

Will world's best T20 conquer the USA market for Cricket?