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CHAPTER II.
THE GROWTH OF THE ASSOCIATION GAME.
As has been pointed out in the previous chapter, the formation of the Association as an independent body, with a code of its own, practically dates from December 8, 1863. The withdrawal of the Blackheath club, meant the withdrawal of all the clubs favouring Rugby rules, and their secession left the management of the Association in the hands of those who had advocated the adoption of the dribbling game. Mr. Campbell had consented to retain the post of Treasurer until the next annual meeting; and his retirement destroyed the last link of union between the followers of the two great schools of football. As a consequence it was not long before the few vestiges of the Rugby game, which had been incorporated in the first code, framed by the executive of the Association, were removed. At the very next general meeting, held in February, 1866, the try at goal was displaced. The touch-down, though, was still retained for a time, and in the event of no goals being scored, or an equal number obtained by each side, a match could be decided by a majority of touch-downs. At the same time, with a view apparently to secure the co-operation of Westminster and Charterhouse, the strict off-side rule which had been in force was modified to ensure uniformity in this essential principle of the game. The adoption of the rule which had prevailed at these two schools, which kept a player on side as long as there were three of the opposite side between him and the enemy's goal, removed, in fact, the one remaining bar to the establishment of one universal code
