Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Ebenezer Cobb Morley (16 August 1831 –20 November 1924) was an English sportsman who holds a significant place in the history of modern football and the Football Association (FA).
Life and Career
Born at 10 Garden Square, Princess Street, in Hull, Morley’s father was the Reverend Ebenezer Morley, a nonconformist minister, and his mother was Hannah Morley (née Cobb). He spent his formative years in Hull until the age of 22. After obtaining his qualification as a lawyer in 1854, Morley relocated to the suburban area of Barnes in London to practice as a solicitor.
His most enduring legacy lies in his role as one of the founding figures of the Football Association. Morley played a pivotal role in shaping the early laws and rules of football. He is often considered one of the fathers of modern football due to his efforts in formalizing the sport and establishing standardized rules. In particular, he was instrumental in drafting the initial set of laws that would govern the game.
The house where Morley crafted the first draft of the Football Association’s laws, located at No. 26 The Terrace, was recognized with a blue plaque in his honor. However, the house unfortunately suffered a collapse during building work in November 2015.
In honor of his contributions to the world of sports, Google featured a Doodle dedicated to Ebenezer Cobb Morley on August 16, 2018, marking the 187th anniversary of his birth. His efforts have left an indelible mark on the evolution of football and its governance.
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