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Here lies Ebenezer Cobb Morley, one of the founding fathers of football.
He helped set the common laws of the game and proposed a governing body.
He lies on the edge of an abandoned graveyard on Barnes Common in south west London.
I went in search of him over the weekend. / 1
He helped set the common laws of the game and proposed a governing body.
He lies on the edge of an abandoned graveyard on Barnes Common in south west London.
I went in search of him over the weekend. / 1
Nothing on his grave, nor any nearby sign, denotes the huge impact Morley made on sporting, cultural and social history. / 2
The graveyard was closed in 1956 (Morley died in 1924 at the grand old age of 93). The woods have slowly reclaimed the site and most of the headstones are now a gnarled tangle of branches and ivy. / 3
Morley is buried with his wife Frances, who passed away in 1911.
I think it’s unfortunate that his life and work remains unknown to most fans. He introduced order and set football on the path towards being the game the whole world plays and loves. / 4
I think it’s unfortunate that his life and work remains unknown to most fans. He introduced order and set football on the path towards being the game the whole world plays and loves. / 4
A blue sign on the house he lived at in Barnes disappeared a few years ago apparently. I think it’s important his memory is honoured + his work remembered.
So thank you, Ebenezer. Although, I can’t imagine what you would have thought about VAR if you were still around today.. 5/5
So thank you, Ebenezer. Although, I can’t imagine what you would have thought about VAR if you were still around today.. 5/5
