No.2 Association Football c.1879

A leather, No. 2, association football.  The ball is currently under-filled at 18” in circumference, but would easily measure 19” when properly filled. This ball was likely used in games with younger players or non match play.

According to the Peck & Snyder Football Rule Book from 1879, Rule Number 10, “that the average circumference of the Association Football be 27 inches, and not more than 28 inches; that the ball used in matches for the Association Challenge Cup be of this regulation size”.

These balls came in six sizes, ranging in circumference from 16 to 30 inches. An absolute rarity in any size.

A related note:  In 1875, the ball agreed to be used at the first Harvard – Yale football game was the No. 6 ball, specified in the rules as a leather covered ball 30 inches in circumference and less pointed at the ends than the rugby football which was 27 inches in circumference.  At this time, in all match games the No. 6 was used, the ball supplied by the challenging team and becoming the property of the winning team.

                                   Peck & Snyder Rule Book Photo Courtesy of Chris Hornung