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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.
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.
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.
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.
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- © 2016 Photography by Matthew James
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