Footrace By the end of the 1 8th century, however, the game was in real danger of dying out in Western Europe Curiously enough, it was the English"public" school that saved it from extinction The rich young men at these schools (which were in fact private rather than public) had nowhere to hunt, fish, ride or otherwise use up their energies; all they could do outside school hours was kick a ball in the schools open spaces They played the game that they had often seen played on village greens, the game that kings had banned. Gradually each school began to evolve its own special style and rulesBy the end of the 18th century, however, the game was in real danger of dying out in Western Europe. Curiously enough, it was the English “public” school that saved it from extinction. The rich young men at these schools (which were in fact private rather than public) had nowhere to hunt, fish, ride or otherwise use up their energies; all they could do outside school hours was kick a ball in the schools’ open spaces. They played the game that they had often seen played on village greens, the game that kings had banned. Gradually each school began to evolve its own special style and rules. Football