Royal Shrovetide Football
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The Royal Shrovetide Football Match occurs annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, England. It has been played since at least the 12th Century
The game is played between two teams, the Up'Ards and the Down'Ards. Up'Ards are those town members born North of Henmore Brook which runs through the town and Down'Ards are those born South of the river. There are two goal posts 3 miles apart, one at Sturton Mill (where the Up'Ards attempt to score), the other at Clifton Mill (where the Down'Ards score). The two posts were originally mill stones, but the mills have long since been demolished and purpose-built stone structures have been erected for the game. The goal posts themselves are in the river. The game itself is played through the town, starting from a special plinth in the town centre where the game is started (or turned-up in the local parlance), often by a visiting dignitary. Before the game is turned-up, the assembled crowd sing Auld Lang Syne and God Save the Queen. The game has been known as Royal since the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) turned-up in 1928. Shops in the town are boarded up for the day, and most people park their cars away from the main streets.
The game is played with a special ball, larger than a standard football, which is filled with Portuguese cork to help the ball float when it inevitably ends up in the river. It is hand-painted by local craftsmen specially for the occasion, and the design is usually related to the digintary who will be turning-up the game.
The game is played over both days, with each days play distinct from the other. The game starts at 2:00 PM and lasts until 10:00 PM. If the goal is scored (in local parlance the ball is goaled) before 6:00 PM then a new ball is turned-up, otherwise play ends for the day. The ball is goaled by being tapped against the goal post three times. The actual scorer for each team is pre-chosen. When the goal is reached play is paused and the ball given to that team's chosen scorer, who ceremonially taps the post three times having waded out to the post which stands in the river. If the ball is goaled the scorer keeps the ball, if not the turner-upper keeps the ball. Despite the name, the ball is rarely kicked, though it is legal to kick, carry or throw it. Instead it generally moves through the town in a series of hugs, like a giant scrum in rugby, made up of dozens if not hundreds of people.
The Rules
There are very few rules in existence. The main ones are:
- Committing murder or manslaughter is prohibited. Unnecessary violence is frowned upon.
- The ball may not be carried in a motorised vehicle.
- The ball may not be hidden in a bag or rucksack.
- Cemeteries, churchyards and the town memorial gardens are out of bounds.
- Playing after midnight is forbidden.
The Anthem
The anthem is sung at a pre-game ceremony in a local hotel. It was oringally written in 1891 for a concert held to raise money to pay off the fines ordered for playing the game in the street.
There's a town still plays this glorious gamede:Shrovetide Fußballspiel
Tho' tis but a little spot.
And year by year the contest's fought
From the field that's called Shaw Croft.
Then friend meets friend in friendly strife
The leather for to gain,
'And they play the game right manfully,
In snow, sunshine or rain.
Chorus
'Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That tries the pluck of an Englishman.
For loyal the Game shall ever be
No matter when or where,
And treat that Game as ought but the free,
Is more than the boldest dare.
Though the up's and down's of its chequered life
May the ball still ever roll,
Until by fair and gallant strife
We've reached the treasur'd goal.
Chorus
'Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That tries the pluck of an Englishman.