Prior to the first meeting of the Football Association in the Freemanson's Tavern in Great Queen Street, London on October 26, 1863, the were no universally accepted rules for the playing of the game of football. The first revision of the rules for the modern game were drawn up over a series of six meetings held in the social room of the public house from October till December. At the final meeting, the representative from Blackheath withdrew his club from the FA over a rule outlawing hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins). The Blackheath club later went on to form the Rugby Football Union.
All of England's professional football clubs must be members of the Football association. The FA is responsible for the appointment of the management of the English national football team and is the governing body of the FA Premier league. Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 are under the governance of the Football League.
The FA also plays a major role in the development of English football at the grass roots level, through its continuing support of the amateur game.
Note: its formal name is "The Football Association" and so the definite article in this article title should not be deleted.