Ashbourne Shrovetide Football, 24th Feb 2009. The maddest game of football in the world.

Please watch in 480p mode.

For details of the 2012 game :
http://derbyphotoscouk.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-ashbourne-shrovetide-footbal...

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 the town centre, normally it seems to stop pretty close to the centre for several hours but this year the ball ened up at the Clifton Goal only two and a half hours after being "turned up". Sadly I decided to leave about 4:10 because I had to drive back home (after walking 1.5 miles back to the car), little did I know that just 27 minutes later a goal would be scored! Oh well maybe next time I can actually see the goal being scored.


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More videos and Photographs
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I also made a video of my journey from Derby to Ashbourne using time-lapse photography.
This shows a 23 minutes drive compressed into just 1 minute 36 seconds...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcLWEZUYTe8

If you liked my 2009 footage of Ashbourne Shrovetide Football then you may like my 2007 footage...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhIGPrQe-jg

For photographs of the 2008 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/events/2008/february/ashbournefootball/

For photographs of the 2007 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/events/2007/february/ashbournefootball/

For photographs of the 2006 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/events/2006/february/ashbournefootball/

For photographs of the 2005 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/events/2005/february/ashbournefootball/

For photographs of the 2004 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/events/2004/ashbournefootball/

For photographs of the 2002 game, see my website :
http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/special/shrovetide_foot.htm

Thanks
Andy

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[Xero3g]

What's the audio track?

[comedyhunter]

@Xero3g Rank1 - Airwave

[GMBezza]

I love Shrovetide i play all the time its one of the best games ever so close to scoring last year btw im a runner.

[comedyhunter]

@GMBezza So are you playing this year?

[HenmoreMarketing]

I didn't fancy the crowds. I've posted a link from thebestof Ashbourne blog because yours is the best vid! Cheers

[comedyhunter]

Hi Catherine, thanks. Glad you enjoyed my video this years game.

btw I'm certainly not a professional film maker.

[ndymos]

good insight to the day all i can say is ashbourne is a great location and as the most nicest people you can meet!!!!and thats coming from derby foke!!great bloody game of football!!cmon u rams!!

[comedypods]

i dont go to ashbourne on shrovtide :( i want to, but i wudnt survive the first 5 minuites lol

[Xero3g]

@Kill3rR0s3 aww lol I guess you just have to fight for some things the hard way

[Kill3rR0s3]

@Xero3g Against the rules lol

[XxCaolanXxSnipZz]

wdf is this sport supposse 3 be like tb

[dakaranandayo]

Interesting. Thanks for post.

[Xero3g]

Anyone ever try just grabbing the ball and using parkour to escape?

[Xero3g]

@comedyhunter thanks mate

[dangars20]

c'mon you down'ards!!!

[Wyrdtimes]

A great English tradition - raise the Cross of St George not the Union Flag.