Royal Shrovetide Football: Ashbourne match ends in a 1-0 win

  • Published
Media caption,

The ball was "turned up" to begin the Royal Shrovetide Football game

A two-day ancient game of mass football, where the two sides attempt to score at opposite ends of a town, has ended in a 1-0 victory.

Thousands of people took part in the annual Royal Shrovetide Football in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Those born south of the river in the town are Down'Ards and those in the north are Up'Ards.

After Tuesday's play ended without a goal, the Down'Ards emerged victorious the following day.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The only goal of the game was scored by Down'Ard Richard Smith

Laura Dudley had come to the game from Dunfermline, in Scotland, as her dad was born in Ashbourne and it was a family tradition to attend the festivities.

"It's really family time. I was brought down here since I was a kid for as long as I can remember," she said.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The game takes place on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday every year

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, external, on Twitter, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external.