Atherstone ball game returns for 822nd year after pandemic break
Marvellous story based in a classic rural town, I love the Haxey Hood in North Lincolnshire which is not quite as old as this game but of a still truly great vintage.
A Warwickshire town kicked off its ancient Shrove Tuesday ball game following a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 822nd Atherstone Ball Game involved hundreds of people competing on the streets for ownership of a heavy, leather ball.
Rob Bernard, chairman of the organising committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted that it is back on now.”
Josh Sheldon, from Grendon, was named the winner after the two-hour match.
Mr Sheldon said it had been easy to hold on to the ball at the end – as he had hid it under his T-shirt.
“It had popped and then I quickly took it and put it under my T-shirt and me and my friend were just in a deep hug,” he said.
People had been “extremely excited” about the return of the game, which gains international attention, Mr Bernard added.
“It’s a unique event really, there’s a lot of people interested in it,” he said.