A medieval football clash lasting two hours saw thousands of people take to the streets for the annual Atherstone Ball Game. The Shrove Tuesday tradition dates back to 1199 when the English counties of Leicestershire and Warwickshire competed to claim possession of a coveted bag of gold.
The aim of the game is to be holding the ball when the final whistle blows with rules being few and far between, the Daily Star reports. The 823rd edition was held in the Warwickshire market town on February 21. Only one year has been missed since the unusual game’s inception due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
The action has also been restricted to Long Street since the 1970s, before which the whole town was in play. After the ball, which was dedicated to King Charles ahead of his coronation this May, was signed by some of the competitors, former champion Gaz Jackson got the game underway by throwing it from the upstairs balcony of the Conservative Club at 3pm.
