oldest, largest, longest and maddest ...

[Mrs Fish]

.....football game.

Prince Charles "turns up" the ball to start the mass football game
top bloke is Charlie

The Prince of Wales was hoisted into the air by players at an annual mass football match as he arrived to ceremonially "turn up" the ball.

Three men carried Charles at shoulder height as he arrived in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, for the ancient Royal Shrovetide football game.

He was led down a street decked with Union Jack bunting as he carried the match ball, before being lifted by three of the players.

In steady drizzle, Charles gave a grimace as he was hoisted aloft, and breathed a sigh of relief moments later as he planted his feet back on solid ground.

Prince Charles then spoke to the thousands of spectators who had gathered for the start of the game.

He told them: "Long may this fine Derbyshire tradition continue, in this great country of ours.

"I only hope that someone now scores a goal."

The Prince then hurled the hand stitched leather ball into a throng of several hundred men.

It was third time lucky for the Prince as he was unable to attend last year because of the death of Princess Margaret and the year before because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

He left not long after starting the game.

The Shrovetide match is described as the world's oldest, largest, longest and maddest football game.

It is played over two days and involves hundreds of players battling for goals over a three-mile pitch in Ashbourne.

The tradition has descended from the game of medieval mass football which only exists in a handful of places.

It is played between two sides - the "Up'ards", people born north of the River Henmore, and "Down'ards", people born south of the river.

What rules there are say motor vehicles are not allowed and manslaughter is illegal.

This little game stopped me going out for a meal for my birthday last night. All the restaurants board their windows up for the two days in goes on for. I shall have to try and attend next years, its supposed to be crazy thing is I don't know what side I should be on.

>>> Edited by Mrs Fish on Thursday 6th March 11:24

[dave_s13]

He he, thats the one where you can use any means necessary to score a goal, its basically a mass riot.

Looks like fun.

[plipton]

Mrs F.

You must have a dull life - you're always on PH jabbering (unlike me who just pops in occasionally)


Plipton (jus' passin' thru)

[FourWheelDrift]

Three men carried Charles at shoulder height as he arrived in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, for the ancient Royal Shrovetide football game.

3 men, where's the 3rd????????

[Mrs Fish]

plipton said: Mrs F.

You must have a dull life - you're always on PH jabbering (unlike me who just pops in occasionally)

Plipton (jus' passin' thru)

On the contrary, I just have a cool job that enables me too have constant ph access.

Anybody know of a PHA group anywhere???

My names lisa and I'm addicted to pistonheads

[plipton]

Perhaps PetrolTed could set one up

Has Fish's T350 turned up yet BTW?

>> Edited by plipton on Thursday 6th March 11:45

[M@H]

Naa. then even more of my life would be spent here...

[Thom]

3 men, where's the 3rd????????

Are you sure you want to know?

[Mrs Fish]

plipton said: Perhaps PetrolTed could set one up

Has Fish's T350 turned up yet BTW?

>> Edited by plipton on Thursday 6th March 11:45

Of course, we picked it up last Saturday, it is fanbloodytastic.

[kevinday]

Mrs Fish said:

plipton said: Perhaps PetrolTed could set one up

Has Fish's T350 turned up yet BTW?

>> Edited by plipton on Thursday 6th March 11:45

Of course, we picked it up last Saturday, it is fanbloodytastic.

I think the question was 'has Fish got back with the paper yet?'

[Mrs Fish]

kevinday said:

Mrs Fish said:

plipton said:

Has Fish's T350 turned up yet BTW?

I think the question was 'has Fish got back with the paper yet?'

Oh yes, you're right now I've read it again.
Yes he has finally turned up

[jondokic]

My son plays in this, I used to. My wife stays at home and worries.