On the 14th February 1891, before spot kicks had been invented, in an FA Cup quarter-final, the Notts County defender Hendry stopped the ball on the line with his hand. The resultant free kick was so close to the goal that the Stoke goalie, Toone, smothered the ball and no score was made. County went on to win the final.
The law changed and the first penalty kick in the Football league was awarded to Wolves for whom John Heath scored against Accrington Stanley on Monday 14th September 1891. The penalty kick, or death penalty, was invented by William McCrum from Milford County, Armagh a year before. As a member of the Irish FA, he held much sway in the development of the law.
Many players regarded the awarding of a penalty as a suggestion that the footballers were "ungentlemanly" and of course they would never do anything to warrant a penalty kick. The Corinthians of England, true amateurs and gentlemen, would be offended if such a penalty was awarded, either for them or against them, They would either stand aside the goal and allow a free shot to go in or would deliberately miss if they were awarded a penalty.
The following season Stoke City were victims again when on November 21st, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa, they were awarded a penalty. The ball consequently had been kicked out of the ground by a Villa player. Rumour has it that it landing in a rail truck and got carried off somewhere! By the time a ball had been found to replace said match ball the referee blew for time. The Law changed to allow added time to take any penalty.
On the 27th March 1989, referee Kevin Morton awarded five penalties in 27 minutes when Crystal Palace played Brighton (a derby!). Palace missed three out of four given to them and Albion scored their one. Final score 2-1 to Palace.
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