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The Royal Shrovetide Football Match occurs annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in Ashbourne. Despite the name, the ball is rarely kicked. Instead it generally moves through the town in a series of hugs, like a giant scrum in rugby, made up of dozens if not hundreds of people.

The two teams that play the game are known as the Up'Ards and the Down'Ards – you fall into each camp depending on where you live. There are two goal posts three miles apart. The actual process of 'goaling' a ball requires a player to hit it against the mill stone three successive times.

It has only been cancelled twice in its history which dates back to the 1600’s. During World War One it continued despite many of the towns men (who traditionally play the game) serving at the front.

A version was also played by locals in the trenches.

Location: Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1GF
Image: Shrovetide Plinth