Extract from: The Early Days of School Football

Under the 1870 Education Act, Games were not included in the subjects that schools should teach. Drill was taught, often by ex-soldiers drilling large numbers of children. This became physical exercises (P.E.). It was not until the early years of the 20th century that games such as cricket and football were taught in elementary schools.

Schools throughout the country were playing inter-school football in the last few years of the 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century most schools were "all-age" and boys left school at fourteen. This is why the Senior Wix Competition is for under fifteens. There was little organised football for under elevens, until about 1930.

School football existed before the St. Albans Schools' Football Association was formed. During the 1894/95 season St. Albans Grammar School (Verulam) played eleven matches, winning seven, losing three and drawing one. Opponents were such teams such as Watford Excelsior, Watford Endowed, Royal Masonic and St. Albans Reserves. They scored 47 goals and conceded 17.

Oxford House School played quite a few matches. In March 1900, they played Dagmar House from Hatfield and won 3-1. Apparently the game was exciting and "The combination shown by the Oxford House's team was conspicuous ". The captain, A. Smith "kicked" two of the goals and F. Thorpe the other. A week later they played Frogmore Juniors and even though their opponents were a "very large set of players" they won 3-1 (Oxford House was a boarding school in Bricket Road for boys and girls.)