Alternative Olympic Sports: Royal Shrovetide Football in Derbyshire

ALTERNATIVE Olympic Sports: Royal Shrovetide Football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The Royal Shorvetide Football match occurs annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the town of Ashbourne. It has been played since at least the 12th Century.

The two teams that contest the match are known as the Up’Ards and the Down’Ards. Everyone grapples and gets a dig in then gets pissed. It’s like football used to be before Sky made it shiny and dull…

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The Very Reverend Keith Jukes, Dean of Ripon, takes part in the annual Pancake Day Races along Kirkgate, Ripon which this year has been decorated with red, white and blue bunting for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Anorak

Posted: 21st, February 2012 | In: Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink