FIRST LAWS

The first football clubs were recorded from around 1841 and in those days some were called "The Body-Guards" and "The Fear-Noughts" both from Rochdale.
In 1848, "The Early Risers" from Newcastle upon Tyne recorded their first matches and a year later Surrey FC was formed and by 1857, Sheffield FC made itself famous at its inaugural meeting on October 24th at Parkfield House in the Highfield District of  Sheffield.

It wasn't a working class club, however, with some dignified  chaps at the helm.
Various clubs sprung up in England and by October 26th 1863, it was advertised in the sporting press that there would be a :-

"FOOTBALL: A MEETING will be HELD at the Freemasons' Tavern, Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn on Monday 26th instant at 7 o'clock for the purpose of promoting the adoption of a general code of rules for football, when the captains of all clubs are requested to attend."

Having read various letters in the national press about the way the "new game" was developing, the meeting was enthusiastically chaired by Ebeneezer Cobb Morley, captain of Barnes FC in London. He is shown below.

The following clubs attended:
Barnes FC, Blackheath, Blackheath Proprietary School, Civil Service (War Office) FC, Crusaders (London), Crystal Palace (1861 , Kensington School, Forest School (Leytonstone). NN Kilburn, Perceval House (Blackheath) and Surbiton FC.

Arthur Pember of the NN (No Names) was made president of the new Football Association and Morley, Secretary.
11 members attending agreed to join the Association, paying a pound and a shilling (one guinea) per annum, however Charterhouse School and Bucks FC from High Wycombe declined to join.

Hartshorne representing Charterhouse did not join because not enough Public Schools were represented (I don't think the money was a problem!). Letters were sent out to the prominent schools but only Uppingham agreed to join.
Morley and Pember were not public school educated, suggesting an element of rivalry on the committee.
Before the end of 1863, Sheffield FC and the Royal Engineers agreed to join up, however Blackheath and Crusaders quickly resigned when they saw the final laws published. They objected to the clash between rugby and the association football laws. which clearly posed an issue. The laws had been adjusted slightly to accommodate the new arrivals.
A copy of the origin laws: