Pancake Day revellers completely flip out and pile into brawl and throw punches outside betting shop in gruesome scenes during traditional ‘medieval football’ game

• The 823rd Atherstone Ball Game in Warwickshire descended into a violent end
• The game which originated in the 12th century took places on Shrove Tuesday
• Game organisers warned for those taking part they would so at their ‘own risk’ 

A video has emerged of the final minutes of a ‘medieval football’ game played each year on Shrove Tuesday – one of England’s longest traditions –  descending into a violent end outside a betting shop in Atherstone.  

The 823rd Atherstone Ball Game took place in Warwickshire yesterday afternoon, where players fight over a large ball with the single objective of retaining it. 

The only rules of the game, which originated in the 12th century, are that the game is restricted to Long Street, and that you mustn’t kill anyone. 

In the last 20 minutes of the game, the video shows an enormous crowd in front of a boarded-up up William Hill betting shop, with several men clambering over the crowds to reach the entrance guarded by other players. 

As a man in a black shirt looks out at the raucous crowd, he catches one of the players from the corner of his eye coming towards him, and throws several punches at the man whose jumper is ripped off his back by crowd. 

But this doesn’t seem to discourage the other players, with several men climbing over the crowd, and players grabbing the back of their shirts and ankles to restrain them. 

One man positioned at the entrance of the betting shop, wearing a blue polo shirt and reflective orange trousers, begins to kick the other players, stamping down on the crowd with his construction boots.

Winners Scott Wright, Lewis Cooper and Kieran Marshall were announced shortly after the whistle was blown at 5pm. 

Speaking to BirminghamLive, the winners jointly said: ‘It’s a group of us, all mates from Atherstone and we all want to win it. 

‘If we win it again next year, we’ll let all the lads take it until we all got one’. 

The organisers of the traditional game warned in a Facebook post: ‘For anybody wishing to participate or spectate you do so at your own risk!! 

‘Atherstone ball game will not be held accountable. Please listen to stewards at all times for the safety and well being of everyone!!!’

One man positioned at the entrance of the betting shop, wearing a blue polo shirt and reflective orange trousers, begins to kick the other players, stamping down on the crowd with his construction boots

In the last 20 minutes of the game, the video shows an enormous crowd in front of a boarded-up up William Hill betting shop, with several men clambering over the crowds

As a man in a black shirt throws several punches at another player whose jumper is ripped off his back by the crowd

The only rules of the game, which originated in the 12th century, are that the game is restricted to Long Road, and that you mustn’t kill anyone

They added: ‘Most importantly everyone enjoy the day and give the babbie’s a kick long live the ball game.’ 

Each year, the Atherstone Ball Game attracts thousands of people to the Warwickshire market town as spectators or to take part.

It is traditionally played every year on Shrove Tuesday, where shop keepers in the town centre prepare by boarding up windows in time for the violent game.

Those taking part in the traditional ball game were warned by organisers that they would so at their ‘own risk’

Each year, the Atherstone Ball Game attracts thousands of people to the Warwickshire market town as spectators or to take part

This year, the ball the ball was designed to mark the accession of King Charles III, with a ribbon in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II

A specially designed oversized ball, filled with water, is thrown from the window by a selected dignitary – this year it was former champion, ‘the ox, the legend,’ Gaz Jackson. 

This year, the ball the ball was designed to mark the accession of King Charles III, with a ribbon in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and was covered in the signatures of locals. 

Last year’s winner Josh Sheldon of Grendon, posed for pictures with the ball, before presenting it to Lee ‘Razor’ Rolinson, whose brother and winner Mark, tragically passed away following an eight-month battle with cancer last year.

Source: Read Full Article