Skip to content

Town cheers on ancient Shrovetide football match

Tom BurgessNorth East and Cumbria
News imagePA Media One man is slide tackling another man in a Newcastle United football kit on a very wet and muddy field. A large ring of spectators can be seen in the distance. A mud spray is coming off the slide-tackling player.PA Media
The historic game has virtually no rules and no referee is involved

Hundreds of people have enjoyed watching a Shrovetide football match as part of a tradition dating back to at least 1762.

The event, in Alnwick, Northumberland, is played on the fields by the River Aln after a procession from the castle.

Several hundred people cheered the players on, with organisers saying it had been a fantastic day carrying on the yearly tradition.

Players representing the parishes of St Michael's and St Paul's attempt to get the ball through large goals known as hales. This year, St Paul's was victorious winning 2-0.

Here are some of our favourite pictures from the action, captured by photographer Owen Humphreys.

News imagePA Media A player is volleying the football and coated in dark mud. He has goggles resting on his head PA Media
The fields were very wet and muddy
News imagePA Media A Northumberland piper leads a procession. A man in a red coat carries the ball. A mayor is also there and wears a gold chain around his neck. Alnwick Castle is in the background.PA Media
A football is brought to the pitch by a procession
News imagePA Media Three men are walking on the fields in front of Alnwick Castle. Two are holding large flags and the one in the middle is carrying a football.PA Media
The tradition dates back to at least 1762
News imagePA Media A group of players are surrounding the football. Several are turning away from a large spray of mud as one player kicks the ball. The castle can be seen in the background.PA Media
Shrovetide football used to be played in towns around the country
News imagePA Media Two players clash with a large spray of mud around them. Other players are waiting to see where the ball comes loose.PA Media
The Alnwick Shrovetide Football Committee keeps the tradition going
News imagePA Media People jump into the river as a crowd watches on.PA Media
Some were happy to get wet as part of the game

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

More stories like this
Related internet links