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Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football is a game played in the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Unlike a conventional football match this game is played over two eight hour periods, the goals are 3miles apart and there are very few rules. As you may have already realised the game is infact nothing like a normal football match.

The leather ball which has a cork inner is 'turned up' from a specially built stone plinth on Shaw Croft car park in Ashbourne town centre. The ball is thrown into the air and into the 'hug', a large group of players who try to move the ball to their goal by pushing against the opposition.

Your team depends on which side of the Henmore broke you were born on, those born on the South are Down'ards and try to goal the ball at the old Clifton Mill. Those born on the North are Up'ards and try to goal the ball at the old Sturston Mill.

Although anyone can join in at any time, it is usual for the player to goal the ball to be decided before they actually goal it. This decision may be made by key players some time in advance or when the ball is close to their goal.

Spectators come from all around to watch the annual game, many people follow the ball all day, through the streets of the town, over local fields and in the river. Local shop owners prepare for the game by boarding up the front of their shops and windows to protect them from the hug.

2003 was especially important because HRH The Prince Of Wales started the game on Ash Wednesday, it was originally intended for him to start it in 2001, however the game was cancelled due to a nationwide outbreak of Foot And Mouth Disease and then again in 2002 he was to turn up the ball, but his Aunt Princess Margret sadly passed away a few days before, so he was not able to attend. So it really was third time lucky!

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