The origin of penalties
Morocco beat Spain in a penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup. The game was watched by millions from Casablanca to Caracas. A church in rural Ireland is Saint Mark's, Armagh.
William McCrum invented the penalty kick. He was dismayed at the lawlessness of early amateur and professional football. The penalty kicked was the creation of a goalkeeper. The entrance to the village of Milford, County Armagh, declares it as the 'Home of the Penalty Kick'. It feels a long way from Doha, from Antonin Panenka, Roberto Baggio and all the penalties taken in the game.
William McCrum was born in 1865 into a wealthy family whose fortune came from the linen industry. He joined Milford FC, founded in 1885, and they were accepted into the Irish League in its inaugural season, 1890-91. They played 14 games and lost 14, conceding 62 goals. McCrrum complained about the roughness of the game and the protection of players. Jack Reid, general secretary of IFA, was a player and administrator. Reid took McCrums idea to the IFAB annual meeting in London. The IFab is the administrative group which oversees the Laws of Game.
William McCrum wrote about the penalty kick. He was the great-grandfather of William McCrrum. The penalty is a moment of drama and self-sacrifice for the goalkeeper. It is the most dramatic moment for a goalkeeper and makes him the star of the show.
