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History of Goalposts
Goalposts
as the world knows them today were originally designed in Britain.
Size
In 1863 the English Football Association decreed that the posts should be
8 yards apart (7.32m), a measurement which has never altered since.
Because players often argued whether the ball had gone between the posts
(for a goal) or above (no goal), tape was then used to join the tops of
the posts.
In 1875 the wooden crossbar started to replace the tape, at a height of 8
feet (2.44m) above the ground.
That is how the dimensions of the goals we know today have evolved. But
the shape of the posts and crossbar was another matter.
Shape
Round or square-shaped goals were the most common until, in 1920, a Mr. J.
C. Perkins of the Standard Goals company in Nottingham, England, invented
the much stronger elliptical shape. Nottingham Forest was the first club
in the world to try them. Many Scottish clubs stayed with their square
designs for many years, but elliptical posts and bars are now the
favourite around the world. Though they too can still break.
Material
Until the 1980s, most goals were made from wood. Douglas Fir was often the
preferred choice of wood. In recent years, however, much lighter aluminium
or steel goals have become more popular, especially with ground staff
because maintenance is now a lot easier.
But the goalpost has basically remained unchanged for over 100 years.
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