Charles William Alcock

“ As the principle of passing, however, came to be more fully understood, and the attack grew more open, it became more and more evident that the first line of defence was even yet hardly sufficient to cope with the increased rapidity of the game. As the dribbler pure and simple became extinct, and the individual gradually became absorbed in the general mechanism of the side, the selfish player not only grew at first to be an object of distrust, but practically in course of time ceased to have a place in the internal economy of football. ”

“ Though the requirements necessary to attain excellence on the football field are in the main precisely the same to-day as they, were twenty years ago, the whole character of the game is as different as the old style of the Rugby game, with its heavy forwards and its wearisome scrummages, is to the new order, with its rapid changes, its lighter and faster forwards, its looser scrummages, and the recent development of passing among the backs, which has added so much to the popularity of Rugby rules during the last few years. ”

“ Speed is not an indispensable ingredient in the formation of a 'good dribbler,' though undoubtedly fleetness of foot goes far to promote success. Skill in dribbling, though, necessitates something more than a go-ahead, fearless, headlong onslaught on the enemy's citadel; it requires an eye quick at discovering a weak point, and 'nous' to calculate and decide the chances of a successful passage. ”

“ This is a part of the advice he gave to forwards in the winter of 1878:—
"A really first-class player—I am now addressing myself solely to those who play up—will never lose sight of the ball, at the same time keeping his attention employed in spying out any gaps in the enemy's ranks, or any weak points in the defence, which may give him a favourable chance of arriving at the coveted goal. To see some players guide and steer a ball through a circle of opposing legs, turning and twisting as occasion requires, is a sight not to, be forgotten ”

“ The example of the Sheffield players was not lost on their neighbours, and combination of some kind or other was cultivated in other of the northern districts. East Lancashire had meanwhile taken up the Association game with enthusiasm. Just about the time when passing began to be considered essential to the success of a team, Blackburn furnished two clubs, both of which played an important part in the competition for the Football Association Cup. ”

“ The main object of the new reforms was to strengthen the defence without sacrificing to any extent the offensive powers of a team. As it was, the introduction of the passing game revolutionized the forward play to such a degree, that it was quite possible to spare one of the forwards without materially weakening the attack. ”