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Ancient soccer -

Shrovetide Football has been deemed the ancient version of soccer, but it’s unlike any soccer game you’ve seen before.

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At your own risk -

At the beginning of the annual match, an announcement is made, warning players to play at their own risk. This certainly sets the tone for the game.

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Every year -

The Royal Shrovetide match is played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the otherwise sleepy English town of Ashbourne.

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Classic town -

It’s hard to imagine Ashbourne as the site of such a dramatic game. Located about three hours from London, it looks like a classic British town.

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The town's transformation -

Its high street consists of adorable antique shops, quaint cafés, and traditional British pubs. The town mostly draws in those seeking outdoorsy activities. 

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Ruckus -

But on the two days of the Royal Shrovetide, the town is unrecognizable. Its picturesque quality is barely visible amidst the ruckus.

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Historical -

The two-day event is not only historically exciting, but promises to be dramatic. Played not on a field, but throughout the town, the sport requires some preparation.

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Businesses prepare -

Businesses and different shops board up their windows in preparation for the chaos of the game’s dynamics.

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Play zone -

All over the town, signs are posted warning drivers not to leave their cars parked on the street areas marked as play zones. Owners risk damage due to the intensity of play, or in some cases, the vehicles may move with crowds and not be where drivers last parked.

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The game begins -

At 2 pm, in the middle of the town’s center at the Shaw Croft car park, the game begins. Both the national anthem and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ ring through the town.

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Ball -

A leather ball resembling a pumpkin and stuffed with cork is shot up from “a stone plinth,” marking the beginning of the game.

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Turner up -

The ball is thrown high into the air by a designated “turner up.” This is usually the role of a highly regarded local who has the honor of beginning the game.

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Honorary roles -

There are years with honorary “turner-ups.” Throughout the years, the role has gone to local legends and famous royals, such as the Duke of Devonshire and Prince Charles himself.

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Opposing teams -

The game is broken down into two eight-hour periods. There are two goals for the two opposing teams, set up three miles apart. Each team consists of hundreds of players.

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Up'ards vs Down'ards -

The teams are divided by splitting the town in two. One half is known as the ‘Up’ards’ and the other half is known as the ‘Down’ards.’

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Birthplace determines team -

How do people know what team they’re on? This is determined by whether they were born north or south of the River Henmore.

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Murder strictly forbidden -

The game has very few rules, but one is reiterated and strongly enforced: murdering the other players is strictly forbidden. This rule has been in place since, at least, the 1600s.

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Big hug -

What makes it particularly confusing for those expecting any semblance of contemporary soccer is that the ball is rarely kicked. Instead, it moves through what looks like a big hug. But not the tender kind.

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Moving the ball toward the goal -

Once the game begins, like contemporary soccer, players do what they can to move the ball toward the goal. In the Shrovetide version, this is done through what could be described as enthusiastic pushing, although this is an understatement.

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The goal? Score one! -

The key objective of the game is to score a goal, of course. The match goes on until 10 pm. If a team manages to score a goal before 5 pm, the process begins again, with a ball “turned up again.”

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New game begins -

If this happens, a new game begins. If a goal is scored after 5 pm, then that goal marks the end of the game for the day.

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Manhandle -

The ball can be manhandled however players deem necessary. Agility, speed, and a certain degree of strength is needed to reach the goal.

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Natural obstacles -

But getting to a goal is not a straight path to an open net. The ‘field’ that the players go through is filled with natural obstacles.

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Few places are off-limits -

Teams must make their way through “rivers, hedgerows, high streets,” and other obstacles. The only places off-limits are places of worship, such as churches, and graveyards.

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Aggression needed -

To get to the goal, players need to move with purpose, or in other words, with a certain level of aggression to make their way through herds of people.

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Tug of war -

To summarize it best, a local describes the game as “tug of war without the rope” and “mad in the best possible way.”

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Spectators -

The sport isn’t just for the players, but also for the spectators. The environment is akin to a street party, with food and beverages consumed as the town watches the game.

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Hard to know what's going on -

If you’re not a regular, it might be hard to understand what’s going on. The players don’t wear uniforms and there might not be much to see during the hours the ball is somewhere else in town.

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Winning the Olympics -

But for players and annual fans, winning is like “winning Olympic gold.” Winners get the glory, but they also keep the ball, which for some families, becomes an heirloom.

Sources: (AP News) (BBC) (Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

See also: Crazy sports of the ancient world

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