What's the story?
The English Game.
Cricket? Croquet? Brexit?
If you are about to mention a certain year …
Not a chance. The English Game is a six-part Netflix drama about how the early days of modern football reached across the class divide. Written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, it begins streaming this Friday.
READ MORE: Child Of Our Time captures two decades of remarkable change
Wasn't football invented in China?
Indeed. The ancient Chinese ball game Tsu' Chu originated between the second and third centuries BCE. The contemporary history dates to 1863 when the Football Association in England was formed.
Tell me more about this TV series.
Edward Holcroft and Kevin Guthrie lead the cast respectively as London-born Arthur Kinnaird – the "First Lord of Football" – and Glasgow native Fergus Suter, considered the first recognised professional footballer.
According to Fellowes: "He did really change the game, Fergus Suter. He brought the passing game down into England, but before, [football] was much nearer rugby. And they played quite violently."
READ MORE: Child Of Our Time captures two decades of remarkable change
Shouldn't it be called The Scottish Game, then?
An excellent point. But given that we invented everything else – telephones, TV, the list goes on – what's a game of fitba between old friends?*
*dons flak jacket and tin helmet
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