It is believed that the most popular game in the world originated in England, where in the 14th century London merchants loved to play with a ball. It was these traders from the Foggy Albion who brought football to us. However, archaeological finds indicate that a precursor to this game also existed in Russia. During excavations near Novgorod, scientists discovered an unusual artifact, a round pouch made of rags and leather filled with small stones wrapped in birch bark. This ball was used for entertainment by the residents of the Moscow region's Khotkovo Monastery.

The word "ball" also has ancient Russian origins. There is a version that it came from "myakchik," which means soft sphere. For example, in Pskov villages at the beginning of the last century, they sang a song: "I will send the myakchik down the path, let the myakchik roll."

A game resembling football in Russia was called kila. They even played it in winter, wearing felt boots. The ancient rules were largely similar to the modern ones. The 19th-century writer Nikolai Pomyalovsky described it as follows: "On the left side of the yard, about 70 people are playing kila, a leather ball stuffed with hair, the size of a human head. Two teams faced each other: one of the players led the kila, slowly advancing it with his feet, which was considered the highest skill, as a strong kick could send the ball into the opponent's camp, where it would be seized. It was forbidden to kick from behind the kila, that is, to run into the opponent's camp and wait for the ball to cross to their side, then drive it to the designated line." This rule resembles the modern offside. For violations, they would "cut the neck."

This game was an exclusively Russian pastime. The first amateur club in Russia appeared only in 1860 and was called "Neva." The first official football match in Russia took place in St. Petersburg on October 12, 1897, at the Cadet Corps parade ground. Soon, a regular Championship of the Russian Empire emerged, but that is another story.