LFA has material to explain a very real risk of injury or even death from engagement in ‘mob’, street and even refined and organised football. How did the compulsion to play rough games and to take such risks to score a goal or try arise? How have organised games such as Soccer and American Football sought to cope with dangers, using rule changes, protective pads and clothing? How well did players cope in the time of bandages and smelling salts and before penicillin was discovered?