Hat Trick

A footballing 'hat-trick' (3 goals scored by the same player in one match) stems from the Victorian era. A dishonest player would be able to sneak a second ball in under his top hat, and in a moment of confusion, produce it and score a goal. Match results in double figures were not uncommon, and the problem became worse when as a result, hats became even taller in order to sneak an extra ball onto the pitch. With a total of up to 47 balls on the pitch, there was no choice but to ban headgear. Today, players are carefully checked for hats, and a hat-trick is regarded with suspicion.

~ A Victorian football lout ~

_{All content copyright Tom Crowley}