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The History of Ashbourne Shrovetide Football
The Shrovetide football game is as old as the hills and has been played for centuries - possibly for over 1,000 years.
There are many versions as to the true origins of the game - but the most popular seems to be the theory that the 'ball' was originally a head tossed into the waiting crowd following an execution.
The game is played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and consists of two teams.
The only thing that distinguishes players in the two Shrovetide teams is their place of birth.
The River Henmore, which flows through the town, is central to this. The starting plinth is built on the Henmore (as it flows under the Shaw Croft car park) and the two goal posts are located on the banks of the river - albeit three miles apart.
It seems only natural, then, that the river determines which team you play for or support.
Up'ards and Down'ards. Quite simply, if you were born north of the River Henmore you are an Up'ard - if you were born south of the river you are forever a Down'ard.
The rules of the game are:
One of the earliest rules, from ancient times, states that players must not murder their opponents!
There are two 'goal posts' - one at Sturston Mill, the other at Clifton Mill, a distance of three miles apart. The ball is hardly ever kicked, but mostly hugged by a scrum which tries to move forward as each team pushes towards its own goal post.
A ball is goaled by tapping it three times against a marker board attached to the stone goal plinth.
There are two games, one on Shrove Tuesday and one on Ash Wednesday. The game has to finish by 10pm each day.