Oh, how they must have marvelled in 1891, when, changing history forever, not to mention foretelling the "Back of the net" catchphrase which would cap Alan Partridge's sportscaster career, civil engineer John Alexander Brodie brought us the goal-net.
A simple invention, Brodie's game-changer was a direct reaction to his beloved Everton losing to Accrington by a cruelly-disallowed goal, mirroring the steps taken in goal-line judging a century on - and there's more to come, too.
Yes, according to the bods at HTC who've designed this handy infographic (below) - charting every major technological change from the humble stadia of the 19th century to slated technologies of tomorrow - we'll be seeing cameras in players' kits by 2020, and all-android football matches by 2060.
Ludicrous? They can't be any more far-fetched than Sepp Blatter's ideas.
For more information visit Changethegame.htc.com
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