The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Shrovetide Football Match
A football match with no teams or goals? Atherstone's traditional free-for-all has only one rule - killing is not allowed!
From the collection of:
Overview
From the moment Beryl Reid throws the ball from the window of the local bank to signal the start of the game the Atherstone football match appears to be a violent ruck far removed from the 'beautiful game'. Said to date from the 12th century this football match has no rules and no goals or even teams. The mob appear to be bringing down an entire building at one point. The winner is the person holding the ball at the end of the match. That's if they're still standing.
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