Atherstone Ball Game - The Rules
There is only one rule, there aren't any.
The game begins at 3pm when the ball is thrown by a local celebrity from the window of the Barclays Bank on Atherstone's main shopping street. The object of the game is to be holding onto the ball at 5pm, when a loud klaxon is sounded to signal the end of the game. The ball may legitimately be deflated or hidden after 4.30pm. Any other tactic to hold on to the ball is permitted, the only stipulation being the ball can't be taken outside of Atherstone.
There are no goals and no official teams, though players often work together and protect each other, often in pub teams or through family connections. The participants are, the vast majority of the time, local. The ancient Angel Inn on Atherstones Market Square have had much success in winning the Ball Game in recent history.
The ball is specially made each year by Gilbert of Rugby, who are world famous for their rugby balls. It is 27 inches (65+ cm) in diameter and weighs four pounds being filled with water at the beginning of the game.
Atherstone Ball Game - The Action
The game begins fairly tamely with the ball being kicked up and down the towns main street by anyone brave enough to have ago or get hold of the ball. There are some marshalls who keep a sense of order and allow the kids to have a kick if they wish.
Things though seriously heat up as time goes on and the Ball Game ends in dozens of men literally brawling to get hold of the ball and to hold onto it. Many of the ball games more serious competitors often drink for many hours before the game begins. Shop fronts up and down Long Street, where the game is mainly played, are boarded up in preparation for the afternoon. The towns Queen Elizabeth High School also finishes the school day early on Shrove Tuesday.
Whoever is able to hang onto the ball at the end of the game not only wins but is also allowed to keep the ball and becomes some what of a local celebrity.
Atherstone Ball Game - The History
This traditional Shrove Tuesday Ball Game has been held annually since the early 12th Century and is one of Atherstone's claims to fame. The origin of the game, in the reign of King John, is thought to have been a "Match of Gold that was played between the Warwickshire Lads and the Leicestershire Lads on Shrove Tuesday".
In the year 1925 when I was 5 yrs old the only unboarded shop window in Long Street was that of Mr "Nally" Meads, dairy man. It was at the lower end of the town almost opposite to The Wheatsheaf public house. I saw my father (who, in his pit black, had come home via the old paddy train which plied between Watling Street and Baddesley Colliery) pick up the ball as he turned into Tommy Johnson's entry and kick it through Mr Meads window. Father swore it was accidental, Mr Meads averred it was deliberate. In those days the ball was made by a sadler in Market Street and could certainly not have been filled with water - no-one would have been able to pick it up.
When I was at Q E Grammar School we were never given time off to witness the early stages of the game, though several factories allowed the girl employess a break in order to have a kick at the ball. In my early days the Shilton family usually smuggled the ball, often by knifing it - one had his hand stabbed, another, recovering from pneumonia, made away with it in the canal. They were able in those times of deep depression to collect monay by displaying the trophy around the public houses.
Walter Croxall
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October 30th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
just woundering if you have got any pictures of the 1967 or 68 ball game because my family was in it and all my uncles have got a ball just need some pictures to go with them and cant find any anywhere
andy
November 7th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Gary, The 1998 Ball was thrown out by Tony Maycock (Central T.V.presenter)and won by Clint Walker. Upon winning the ball he dedicated his victory to his father Bill,who was terminally ill with cancer.Also i do have photos and cuttings from this year,I will try to get some posted on here if possible. Andrew,through the 60s the ball game was dominated by a team led by a man who was known as (the King of the Ball Game)Mr Sam Fulleylove,again i do have some photos,and will try to post them on here.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I live in Italy but was born not fat away from Atherstone in Castle Bromwich. My sister told me about the ball game today, sounds like a really good day, will try and get there next year. By the way my sister is the old lady walking round with a iPod with no batterys in it. All say hello to Ruth.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:25 am
arm gonna win it next year lark- it’s our babbies turn an’ all. yoth.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:36 am
This years winner was Stuart McLean 28 from Atherstone.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
2008 was my first ever Atherstone Ball Game,even though I was born in the George Eliot Hospital Nuneaton (1947 vintage)and live in Bedworth.
The rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm and I shot a whole roll of film.
Yesterday’s newspapers,by coincidence,carried the story that the Dean of Ripon Cathedral in Yorkshire had decided to cancel their ancient Pancake Race,going b ack 700 years (119 years less than Atherstone),because of “fears” over filling in the Health and Safety bullshit “risk assessment “forms. I suppose for an Anglican Dean,it would be too much for him to simply say “We have managed without the risk assessment forms for 700 years,darlings,and the kids love it, so SEE YOU IN COURT” !!!
Warmest congratulations to everyone involved in the Ball Game.
It warms my heart to know that this corner of North Warwickshire has not caved in to the risk assessment forms!
See you next year!
Anthony Weaver
February 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
i moved into atherstone three years ago and my mate told me somthing about the ball game . To be onest with you i did’t have a clue so 2006 ball game i went and i would of catched the ball if i didn’t see lots of big men hedding towards me ….. ITS GREAT ….lv to all my atherstone buddys lol xxx
December 18th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Dated 18 Dec 2008,
In the year 1925 when I was 5 yrs old the only unboarded shop window in Long Street was that of Mr “Nally” Meads, dairy man. It was at the lower end of the town almost opposite to The Wheatsheaf public house. I saw my father (who, in his pit black, had come home via the old paddy train which plied between Watling Street and Baddesley Colliery) pick up the ball as he turned into Tommy Johnson’s entry and kick it through Mr Meads window. Father swore it was accidental, Mr Meads averred it was deliberate. In those days the ball was made by a sadler in Market Street and could certainly not have been filled with water - no-one would have been able to pick it up.
When I was at Q E Grammar School (founded 1573 and lost with all its traditions to comprehensive idiocy) we were never given time off to witness the early stages of the game, though several factories allowed the girl employess a break in order to have a kick at the ball. In my early days the Shilton family usually smuggled the ball, often by knifing it - one had his hand stabbed, another, recovering from pneumonia, made away with it in the canal. They were able in those times of deep depression to collect monay by displaying the trophy around the public houses.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:33 am
i have lived in atherstone for 43 years and never missed a ball game. my daughter kimberley as won the golden penny twice. my brother vinno as won three ribbons. it must be my turn to win the ball lol.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:46 am
I am coming to Atherstone this year to participate, and hopefully win the ball game. It’s got my name on it !!!!!!!!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
i lived in atherstone all me life and me me brother and me dad never missed one ball game the best part is the fatted riots and fights always went home with an injury love bethaney evans xx
February 24th, 2009 at 2:49 am
It would be great to have a page that shows each winner for each year i was born in atherstone in 1960 but moved to chapel end in 1978 most of my family still live there
February 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am
i live in stevenage now,but from a boy bunking off schools and attending the atherstone ball game was my childhood shrove tuesday tradition,i have great memories of the games and always check the herald for the familiar faces and youtube for news coverage.. love to bethaney evans,matt thompson,and chris n lezzo!!
February 25th, 2009 at 11:12 am
with great fondess i remember the atherstone ball game,i now live in stevenage,but as an atherstone born lad i attended the shrove tuesday game from a very young age,my son nathan and daughter beth attended a few games,as i did with my dad and uncles and cousins and some great friends,ive seen some of the pics from the herald and news footage from youtube and still see people i avent seen for years,love to beth evans,matt thompson,chris and lezzo!!!!!!!!!!
June 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I remember the ball being thrown out from a Pub in Long Street Atherstone by George Formby. I believe that year the ball was lost ‘cos the holder took it down towards the Railway station and across the canal. I then attended QEGSA and lived in Polesworth I now live in Nether Wallop. AB.
PS. I knew a Joe Evans who lived at a Pub in Long Street ?