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Shrovetide Football - The Guardian { 9 images } Created 12 Dec 2016

Photos from the 2016 Royal Shrovetide Football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Commissioned by The Guardian, UK
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  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Pictured: The ball finally makes an appearance above the crowd and the players’ heads.
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Former Ashbourne resident Jason O’Connor – who moved home to his native country of Ireland several years ago – is hoisted in to the air to grab the ball. The tactical manoeuvre has been frowned upon by the players in recent years and is unofficially considered illegal.
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Tuesday’s ball was goaled by Up’ard Gary Ratcliffe, aged 26, who was met with rapturous applause when he arrived at The Green Man yard shortly after. Gary was carried back to town on the shoulders of his fellow teammates, as is the tradition.<br />
<br />
Mr Ratcliffe said: “This is the best moment of my life. <br />
<br />
“I’ve been having dreams about Shrovetide for weeks and weeks and weeks. <br />
<br />
“To score is just a dream come true. It’s a surreal moment right now.”
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Pictured: Players from both sides battle it out to get their hands on the coveted ball.
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
The ball is pictured here as it appears above the 'hug' - the name given to the large crowd that gather to play the game
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Along Dig Street, play gets heated as punches are thrown and players are dragged in to the centre of the ‘hug.’ It all makes great entertainment for the thousands of spectators who have gathered to watch.
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Tuesday’s ball was goaled by Up’ard Gary Ratcliffe, aged 26, who was met with rapturous applause when he arrived at The Green Man yard shortly after. Gary was carried back to town on the shoulders of his fellow teammates, as is the tradition.<br />
<br />
Mr Ratcliffe said: “This is the best moment of my life. <br />
<br />
“I’ve been having dreams about Shrovetide for weeks and weeks and weeks. <br />
<br />
“To score is just a dream come true. It’s a surreal moment right now.”
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Pictured is Down’ard Matthew Etherington as he is paraded back through the town centre after scoring at Clifton Mill. <br />
<br />
The final score for Shrovetide 2016 was 1-1

Mr Etherington said: “It feels absolutely amazing… a dream come true.<br />
<br />
“We’ve battled along for two days. We had good back-up from the boys and we got it down there.<br />
<br />
“I couldn’t ask for a better team, I thank every one of them. We’ve all worked hard.”
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg
  • At 2pm each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the residents of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, gather in the streets to play the ancient game of Royal Shrovetide Football.<br />
<br />
The river Henmore runs through the centre of the town and acts as a natural divide between the two teams. Those born north of the river are known as the Up’ards, and they play against those born on the south - the Down’ards. <br />
<br />
The goals are three miles apart and are situated on the river bank at the site of two former mills. To score, the ball must be tapped three times against a millstone built in to the stone pillars. <br />
<br />
Pictured: Players on a wall try to retrieve the ball from the ‘hug’ so they can throw it further afield to their teammates
    Ashbourne-Royal-Shrovetide-Football.jpg