In football games in the first-half of the 19th century were played without officials.The Football Association was established in October, 1863. The aim of the FA was to establish a single unifying code for football. This included an attempt to deal with disputes about rules and infringements during games. On 8th December, 1863, the FA published the Laws of Football.

It was now clear that officials were needed to enforce these new laws. It became fairly common for two umpires to be appointed to referee the game - one nominated by each side. These umpires only made decisions when appealed to by the players. Umpires were first mentioned in the laws of the game in 1874.

As the game became more competitive, the number of disputes about the interpretation of the rules became more common. Gradually, a more objective official, the referee, began to take control of games. He used a whistle to control the game.

Francis Marindin established himself as one of England's greatest referees. He played for Old Etonians and Royal Engineers before retiring from the game. Marindin officiated in eight FA Cup Finals between 1880-1890. He was considered "one of the outstanding referees who really knows the rules".

It was not until 1891 that the Football Association decided that the referee was to be the sole judge of fair play. It was no longer necessary for players to appeal to the referee for a decision. He could now award free-kicks at his own discretion.

Each club could still nominate a umpire to help the referee. They were now banished to the touchlines. These referee's assistants became known as linesman and carried flags to indicate decisions. Neutral linesmen for important games were not introduced until the 1898-99 season.

The early referees and linesmen were usually non-playing members of football clubs. Controversial decisions often resulted in claims being made that the referee or linesmen had been influenced by club loyalties. Gradually they became independent officials with no close links to football clubs. In 1908 they set up their own Referees' Union.

John Lewis was considered to be the best referee during the early period of football. He refereed the FA Cup Finals of 1895, 1897 and 1898. He later wrote that he was the victim of a great deal of hostility: "For myself, I would take no objection to hooting or groaning by the spectators at decisions with which they disagree. The referee should remember that football is a game that warms the blood of player and looker-on alike, and that unless they can give free vent to their delight or anger, as the case may be, the great crowds we now witness will dwindle rapidly away."

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