Yes Shrovetide football traditionally commenced in Ashbourne, derbyshire, today it was 2021 for the first since since 2001 it was cancelled and before then 1968, due to foot and mouth disease and again in 2001, covid in 2021, It's only one of a handful of football games played the same in the country now, shop windows have to be boarded up due to crowds in the street,when not being played along the local river or in it, with 3 miles between both goalposts, during one of the coldest and wettest times of the year they are a tough lot out there for sure, with thousands of people attending to join in with the celebrations, and many to watch the two teams play into the night for two days.
The Shrovetide Anthem
The Anthem was written in 1891 to raise funds to pay fines for playing the game in the street,
There's A town still plays this glorious game Tho` Tis but a little spot,
and year by year the contests fought
from the field That's called shaw croft.
Then Friend meets Friend in Friendly Strife The leather for to gain,
`And They play The game right manfully,
In Snow, Sunshine, or rain.
`Tis a glorious game deny it who can
That Tries The pluck of an Englishman.
For loyal The game shall ever be
No matter when or where,
And treat The game on ought but the free, Is more Than the boldest dare,
Though The ups and downs' of its chequered life May The ball still ever roll, Until by fair and gallant Strife
We`ve reached The treasured goal.
Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That Tries The pluck of an Englishman.
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that lot would no doubt in normal times a tradition that goes back to Medievil times.
