Football in Malta : 7 : the great upheaval

Abstract

Midway through the 'twenties' a great upheaval occurred in the Laws of the Game, which was destined to change the accepted approach, to change styles and tactics, and to bring in its wake new formulas, and a new type of defender. This came about when the alteration was made to the existing Law governing "Offside". Prior to the alteration three players had to be in front of the last attacker between him and the goal. Because of the misuse of this law by many defenders, chief of whom mention is made of a certain McCracken, who, when playing at back for Newcastle United adopted the trap of putting opponents offside by rushing up when a pass was made leaving only two defenders in front of the attacker. This style became known as the "One Back Game", and so frustrated and annoying it became that the legislators decided that the game as a spectacle was becoming more and more a farce. Goals were at a premium and crowds groaned when the game was held up so frequently with the defense having the last word over the attack.