Atherstone Ball Game

Adders

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For anyone who doesn’t know what the Atherstone ball game is it’s oldest ball game in the world dating back to 1199 played between Warwickshire and Leicestershire lads back then for a bag of gold.
Was a good game this year the Atherstone lads did well to get it in the entrance to the bookies and fend off the large number of Grendon lads the biggest attack was when they scaled the building.
People slate it but it’s the easiest days work the police will do and everyone is mates again after.
Ashbourne have one different but they have tried and failed when they came in mass because there own game was called off due to foot and mouth.
Only rule in ours is your not allowed to kill anyone.

 
Southwiggy said:
Why are they trying to get into William Hill?
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It’s teams mate the winners got it in that entrance at hills early enough to protect the ball from attackers.
Kids have a go first and it gets serious for last hour or so it’s whoever is in possession of the ball at 5pm wins.
 
Adders said:
It’s teams mate the winners got it in that entrance at hills early enough to protect the ball from attackers.
Kids have a go first and it gets serious for last hour or so it’s whoever is in possession of the ball at 5pm wins.
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Interesting stuff - so is it every man for themselves or do people organise themselves into smaller groups to get hold of and protect the ball? Used to go to (watch) the Hallaton Bottle Kicking as a kid which is definitely two teams getting the bottle over the village boundary. Wouldn't want to be in the middle of the Atherstone game, it looks a bit rough for me - rugby at Lanky Boys was enough for me 🤣. I'm impressed that no-one has tried to ban it over the years - presumably everyone has a pint together after 5pm?
 
WestYorksFox said:
Interesting stuff - so is it every man for themselves or do people organise themselves into smaller groups to get hold of and protect the ball? Used to go to (watch) the Hallaton Bottle Kicking as a kid which is definitely two teams getting the bottle over the village boundary. Wouldn't want to be in the middle of the Atherstone game, it looks a bit rough for me - rugby at Lanky Boys was enough for me 🤣. I'm impressed that no-one has tried to ban it over the years - presumably everyone has a pint together after 5pm?
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Pub team’s original mate but recent it’s ended up Atherstone v Grendon probably due to the fact the Grendon lads have assembled such a big team and won it last few years.
It’s a no rules game so limiting numbers of teams etc would kill it.
Was a big thing for the Atherstone lads to win it back actually Witherley were claiming victory due to fact some of the team were from there I think, a Leicestershire victory maybe?
Almost but the lads were from Atherstone when the names came out.
Yes no bother between lads playing after only shared respect, if you don’t want any trouble it’s simple you just don’t get involved at the nitty gritty.
The do gooders want it gone it’s always been rough just everything’s highlighted with camera phones these days mate.
 
Was it the same crowd at The Lamb the other day?
To be fair, it's about time they called it quits for this game, even Phil and Nige looked bored, Crime can't crack itself, "The Regiment"
 
JohnMitten said:
Was it the same crowd at The Lamb the other day?
To be fair, it's about time they called it quits for this game, even Phil and Nige looked bored, Crime can't crack itself, "The Regiment"
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No nothing to do with Nuneaton or Tamworth this isn’t a fight it’s one team defending the ball from another.
Long live the ball game been going since 1199 and in danger of cancel culture but they will never stop it.
Oh Atherstone is full of fun!!!
 
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