IT'S THE MASONS-KEEP IT A SECRET!

 The first rules of football were drawn up by the new Football Association during 6 meetings at the end of 1863, at the Freemasons’ Tavern, on Great Queen Street in London, now the New Connaught Rooms next door to Freemasons’ Hall.

After the very first match under the new football governing rules, way back in January 1864, a toast was drunk – how very Masonic in itself – to ‘success to football, irrespective of class or creed’.

There are a number of Masonic Lodges named after their famous teams – Anfield Lodge, No. 2215, Everton Lodge No. 823 and more recently the Football Lodge No. 9921.

The Football Lodge was the brainchild of David Lallana, father of England star, Adam Lallana. Members of the Lodge share their passion for the love of the game and through Freemasonry, they hope to connect with the grass roots of the sport in the community.

Many famous players and managers have enjoyed the companionship of Freemasonry including: Sir Alf Ramsey, who played for a number of top flight teams, including Southampton and Tottenham Hotspurs and later went on to manage Ipswich Town where he reigned for 10 years. His most famous role (which needs no explanation) was to lead England to victory at the 1966 World Cup. He was initiated into Waltham Abbey Lodge No.2750, Hertfordshire, England on the 5 October 1953 at the age of 33.

 Don Revie played for several football teams including Manchester City from 1951 to 1956. He then went on to manage Leeds United from 1961 to 1974, with whom he won the F.A. Cup in 1972 and the European Cup in 1973, Don Revie became the manager of the England football team between 1974 and 1977. He had been initiated into Leodiensis Lodge No.4029, in 1965.

Ron Greenwood started his playing career at Chelsea Football Club, leaving for a brief spell to play for Brentford, whom he supported as a lad. He then returned to Chelsea before finally going to Fulham FC. In July 1977 Ron Greenwood was appointed full-time manager of England ending his 15-year association with West Ham United. Ron Greenwood became a Freemason in 1956 at the end of his final season as a player. He was a member of Lodge of Proven Fellowship, No. 6225. The symbol (left) represents the Masonic "Order" and it's relevance may be found by using the www.

The blue colours of the Manchester City kit look familiar! Manchester City originally formed in 1880 and were then known as St Mark’s, in West Gorton, played in red and black colours (the club’s change stripnow). In 1887, they then changed the club name to Ardwick – an area close to West Gorton. However, it is reported that in 1894 the club found itself in financial hardship and had to be rescued from bankruptcy by the then club secretary, Joshua Parlby. The club adopted the name, Manchester City, at the same time the club adopted the Masonic colours of pale blue shirts and white shorts. Because of the lack of detailed records, there is no irrefutable proof that either Parlby or his predecessor Lawrence Furniss (also thought to have been closely linked Freemasonry) were Masons, but Sidney Rose, lifetime president of the club and a director for much of the last 30 years, has no such doubts. ‘It’s always been my understanding,’ says Sidney, a member of the Old Mancunians’ Lodge, ‘that the real founders of the club became involved in 1894 when there was some sort of financial crisis, and that they were Masons, or certainly had close Masonic connections.' That was why they started playing in pale blue, the colours of Freemasonry.

Surrey Freemasons and football also have a close link. One lodge in particular – Old Palace Lodge No.7173, sponsors the shirts of a local youth team – Selsdon Junior FC (see below) which was founded in 1975. It is one of the most successful junior football teams in the county. Gareth Southgate started his junior playing days at the club!!! We do not know if Gareth has been signed on to a "Lodge".

For years, Freemasonry has battled conspiracy theories that its members secretly run the world – but now the shadowy organisation is planning to rule the football field!!

This week, the organisation’s Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, is set to grant a warrant for the first Football Lodge – a place where members meet – in Hampshire. Players, managers and referees, who are Masons, will gather four times a year to listen to guest lecturers from the world of football, as well as perform a series of Masonic rituals, though the organisation claims that many of the stereotypes, such as secret handshakes, are false.

Footballing stars from the past, including Stanley Matthews, Dixie Dean  and Nat Lofthouse were all Masons

In recent years the Masons have sought to expand their appeal by setting up a range of ‘special interest’ lodges.  Groups include a biker gang called the Widows Sons and ‘a Lodge of Brevity’ for the ‘modern man’ where meetings are about half the normal four hours.

The Football Association was formed in 1863 at the Freemasons’ Tavern in London – now The Grand Connaught Rooms.A petition to form a Football Lodge will be considered at the meeting of the Grand Master’s Council. Want to know more?

https://www.britannica.com/topic/order-of-Freemasons