Atherstone ball game returns for 822nd year after pandemic break

The game has few rules and the winner gets to keep the ball

A Warwickshire town kicked off its ancient Shrove Tuesday ball game following a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 822nd Atherstone Ball Game involved hundreds of people competing on the streets for ownership of a heavy, leather ball.

Rob Bernard, chairman of the organising committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted that it is back on now."

Josh Sheldon, from Grendon, was named the winner after the two-hour match.

The winner is the person who has the ball at 17:00 GMT

Mr Sheldon said it had been easy to hold on to the ball at the end - as he had hid it under his T-shirt.

"It had popped and then I quickly took it and put it under my T-shirt and me and my friend were just in a deep hug," he said.

People had been "extremely excited" about the return of the game, which gains international attention, Mr Bernard added.

"It's a unique event really, there's a lot of people interested in it," he said.

The ball is taken around the town to be signed by people each year

The last event ended an hour early when Martyn Kellegher-Burton, one of the marshals, was taken to hospital after a heart attack. He started the game by throwing the ball at 15:00 GMT.

• Listen: Heart attack survivor kicks off Atherstone Ball Game

The town's mayor Mark Jordan said there were few rules but whoever had the ball at 17:00 GMT had "the prestigious honour of winning the Atherstone Ball Game".

"It can be a rough game sending that ball up and down Long Street, but I've had the privilege of watching it for many years, well over 50 years, and yes, it's quite a sight," he said.

Town mayor Mark Jordan said the game was "quite a sight"

Mr Jordan said he had been looking forward to the day, adding the event attracted people to Atherstone who could enjoy "what it has to offer".

The ball, which is kept by the winner, is made specially for the event each year. Ahead of the game it is taken around the town and signed by residents.

The ball is kicked up and down the town's Long Street during the two-hour match

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