Shrovetide Football returns to Ashbourne for second day

A town divided by an ancient football gamed is due to gather for a second day to watch it come to a close.

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football is played in the Derbyshire town over two days on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Honours were shared on day one with both sides - the Up'Ards and Down'Ards - managing to goal the ball.

The competition has been a local tradition since 1667 but the pandemic led to the 2021 event being cancelled.

It returned on Tuesday with the ball being "turned up" in the town centre by 91-year-old Bay Spencer.

The Up'Ards - those born north of Henmore Brook - started strong and overpowered the Down'Ards to goal the ball first.

As it happened before 18:00, rules state the ball has to be returned to the Plinth and turned up for a second time on the same day.

The Down'Ards then enjoyed their moment of glory with the ball goaled again shortly before 22:00 to square things up.

Archie Watkins, a student in Bristol, said he came home to Ashbourne to play for the Down'Ards.

"There was no chance I was missing this," he said.

"It's a thing we all do here, it's very dear to all of us."

Mr Watkins said the Up'Ards tended to perform better in big fields so they had a tactic to boost their chances.

"The Down'Ards normally are better in smaller spaces.

"We have more river players - so hopefully we can get it into the river, push down and hopefully make some ground."

A large number of players and spectators are expected to return for the second day of play, which is scheduled to get under way at 14:00 GMT.

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