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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.

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.

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.

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.

Mr Ratcliffe said: “This is the best moment of my life.

“I’ve been having dreams about Shrovetide for weeks and weeks and weeks.

“To score is just a dream come true. It’s a surreal moment right now.”
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Shrovetide Football - The Guardian
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.”