Ashbourne Shrovetide Football, 24th Feb 2009. The maddest game of football in the world.
Please watch in 480p mode. For details of the 2010 game : derbyphotoscouk.blogspot.com If you can spot yourself in my video, leave a comment with the timecode where you spotted yourself. All images and video footage was taken by me on 24th February 2009. I used a Canon Ixus 430 and Nikon D70 with 200mm lens. Ashbourne Football is one of the Oldest Shrovetide football games in England. It was first recorded in 1682 The Game is played annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, and consists of two teams, one from anyone born to the North of the River Henmore, and one from people born South of the river, these are known as Up’ards and Down’ards. The Goals are on the sites of Old mills, one at Clifton and one at Sturston, these are three miles apart. A goal is scored by a player striking the mill wheel three times with the Ball. The ball may be kicked, carried or thrown, but generally proceeds in a series of ‘hugs’ invisible to the spectator. The game can last for many hours, finishing well after dark. The game starts at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when a specially prepared ball – larger than a football and filled with cork which weighs around 4lbs is thrown in by a visiting guest of honor. My video should hopefully give you an idea of what its like. If you can spot yourself in my video, Please leave a comment. Tuesdays Game was won by the Down’ards. Wednesdays Game was won by the Up’ards, so 2009 was a draw. This year was the first time I had seen the gameplay move out of …