Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 2 June 1866, page 7


FOOT-BALL CLUB.

A MEETING of the members of the newly-formed Foot-ball Club was held at the Metro-politan Hotel on Thursday evening. About 20 members were present; and the first business

transacted was the election of twelve new mem-bers. The rules drawn up by the provisional committee were agreed to with a few alterations. The annual subscription was fixed at 5s. The usual officers were appointed—the secretary being Mr. T. Board, and the treasurer Mr. G. Cowlishaw, to act with a committee of eight. The uniform chosen was a scarlet shirt, with a distinguishing color for the cap tain. It was provided that all future elections of members should be by ballot. A resolution was passed authorising the printing of the rules, as well as the laws of football passed at a meeting of delegates of clubs held in Melbourne on the 8th ult., which latter, it was decided, should be the laws recognised by the Brisbane Club. The secretary stated that balls had been ordered, and as soon as they came to hand preparations would be made for commencing play. The following copy of the laws of football, referred to above, are taken from the Austral-asian, of May 19:— RULES. 1. The distance between the goals shall not be more than 200 yards; and the width of playing space, to be measured equally on each side of a line drawn through the centre of the goals, not more than 150 yards. The goal posts shall be seven yards apart, of unlimited height. 2. The captains on each side shall toss for choice of goal; the side losing the toss, or a goal, has the kick off from the centre point between the goals. After a goal is kicked the sides shall change ends. 3. A goal must be kicked fairly between the posts without touching either of them, or any portion of the person of one of the opposite side. In case of the ball being forced (except with the hands or arms) between tho goal-posts in a scrimmage a goal shall be awarded. 4. Two posts, to be called the "kick-off" posts, shall be erected at a distance of twenty yards on each side of the goal-posts, and in a straight line with them. 5. In case the ball is kicked behind goal, any one of the side behind whose goal it is kicked may bring it twenty yards iv front of any por tion of the space between the "kick-off"*posts, and shall kick it toward the opposite goal. 6. Any player catching the ball directly from

the foot or leg may call " mark;" he then has a free kick from any spot in a line with his mark and the centre of his opponents' goal posts ; no player being allowed to come inside the spot marked, or within five yards in any other direction. 7. Tripping and hacking are strictly pro-hibited. Pushing with the hands or body is allowed when any player is in rapid motion. Holding is only allowed while a player has the ball in band, except in the case provided in rule 6. 8. The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick; and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against the ground in every five or six yards. 9. When a ball goes out of bounds (the same being indicated by a row of posts) it shall be brought back to the point where it crossed the boundary-line, and thrown in at right angles with that line. 10. The ball while in play may under no circumstances be thrown. 11. In case, of deliberate infringement of any of the above rules, the captain of the opposite side may claim that any one of his party may have a free kick from the place where the breach of rule was made. 12. Before the commencement of a match each side shall appoint an umpire, and they shall be the sole judges of goals and breaches of rules. The nearest umpire shall be appealed to in every case of dispute.