Here's what you need to know ahead of annual Shrovetide football match

A two-day game of mass football, where the two sides attempt to score at opposite ends of Ashbourne is set to take place next week.
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Believed to have been played on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday for 900 years, the dramatic game is thought to be one of the oldest forms of football in the world.

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football begins at 2pm and sees Up'ards compete against Down'ards through the town’s streets.

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The game starts when the ball is 'turned up' from a stone plinth on Shaw Croft car park.

players during the annual Royal Shrovetide football match in Ashbourne,players during the annual Royal Shrovetide football match in Ashbourne,
players during the annual Royal Shrovetide football match in Ashbourne,

The ball is thrown into the air to mark the start of the match by the ‘turner up- usually a local person of note.

Thousands of players and spectators line the streets to observe the spectacle every year, which attracts worldwide media attention.

A player’s team depends on which side of the Henmore Brook they were born on: those born South of the Brook are the Down'ards, and try to goal the ball at the old Clifton Mill.

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Those born on the North are the Up'ards and try to goal the ball at the old Sturston Mill.

Shrovetide Football is played using a hand-painted leather ball with a cork inner, which usually weighs around four lb.

The game is played over two eight-hour periods, and the goals are three miles apart

Several road closures have been announced for this year’s match, from 1.30pm:

The A515 Buxton Road

Market Place

Park Road

Dig Street

Compton Street

Sturston Road

St John Street

Clifton Road.