It is hard to find a definite answer to the question of when the first game of football was played and although FIFA, the game`s governing body, claim that the first organised matches took place in China around 2BC, it is likely the sport has been played in some form for many thousands of years.

Other critical points in the game`s history are much easier to find. In 1848, the first recognised set of rules was drawn up in Cambridge and that development was followed up some fifteen years later by the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

From this point, recognised leagues and cup competitions started to get established right across the world and in the 1871/72 season, the most famous knockout tournament of all, the FA Cup was played for the first time. As the FA Cup grew in popularity, it was clear a new home was needed to accommodate the large number of spectators wanting to see the final. Not only that but the English national side needed a new stadium as well so in 1923, Wembley opened its doors for the first time as it hosted that season`s FA Cup final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.

Football had become a global phenomenon in the 1920s and at the start of the next decade in 1930, the first official World Cup tournament was held in Uruguay. Sadly, many of the top football playing nations, declined to attend. England were among the notable absentees and it was not until 1950 that the event was contested by all of the major countries across the globe.

That post war period from 1950 onwards saw some of the game`s greatest players emerging including the likes of Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Nat Lofthouse. Meanwhile, a young Pele took his bow at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. From those quiet beginnings, the World Cup was now the pinnacle of every player`s career and the tournament produced some memorable finals including England`s thrilling extra-time win over West Germany in 1966.

In England, scene of so many of the game`s major landmarks, the next major development after the 1966 World Cup came at the start of the 1992/93 season with the formation of the Premier League. With television money starting to dominate the game, the English elite formed a new league with a new trophy and by now, some of the greatest players from across the globe were signing for English domestic clubs.

It was very much a sign of things to come when Manchester United lifted the first Premier League trophy at the end of that first season and they have gone on to dominate English Football ever since. In fact only three other teams, Chelsea, Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers have ever won the Premiership but it looks as if they may be joined shortly by Manchester City.

A good way of immersing yourself in the history of football is to take a stadium tour. Here you can see the trophy cabinet and look inside the dressing rooms before stepping out onto the pitch. The Anfield tour is a good example of this and is where you can get a great insight into the history of the game as a whole.