Ashbourne Shrovetide Football Awaits Thousands for Two Day Battle

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide happens again this year. It is a unique sporting tradition. The town divides into two teams for an epic game. It is a 48-hour football match. The game starts at 2 pm on Tuesday, March 4. People travel far to watch.

Every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday the town splits. The Henmore Brook divides the town. People born north are Up’ards. People born south are Down’ards.

It’s unlike regular football. It spans two eight-hour periods. Think rugby with a central scrum.

Last year, Up’ards scored two goals. Will Nash and Steve Maznenko scored. Up’ards won with a 2-0 score. Play begins at 2 pm each day. They sing the National Anthem. They also sing Auld Lang Syne. Special members then “turn up” balls.

David Bott will turn up the ball on Tuesday. Brian Pegg does it on Wednesday. They launch the ball into the crowd. This takes place at Shawcroft car park. Up’ards aim for the Sturston Goal Post. Down’ards try for the Clifton Goal Post.

The goals are almost three miles apart. The game goes through fields and rivers. It moves across meadows and car parks. This is mass football’s last stand. Few games like it happen in UK streets.

Mass football records date to 1667. Ashbourne’s origins remain unknown. A fire destroyed early records in the 1890s. The game remains much as it was centuries ago. Tradition is at the core. Sportsmanship fuels the rivalry.