Different forms of football have existed for centuries.

(For more on the development of football sports, see football.

) In Britain, football 4️⃣ games may have been played as early as the time of Roman occupation in the 1st century bce.

During the 14th 4️⃣ and 15th centuries ce, Shrove Tuesday football matches became annual traditions in local communities, and many of these games continued 4️⃣ well into the 19th century.

These localized versions of folk football (a violent sport distinctive for its large teams and lack 4️⃣ of rules) gradually found favour within the English public (independent) schools, where they were modified and adapted into one of 4️⃣ two forms: a dribbling game, played primarily with the feet, that was promoted at Eton and Harrow, and a handling 4️⃣ game favoured by Rugby, Marlborough, and Cheltenham.