Alnwick Shrovetide football.Alnwick Shrovetide football.
Alnwick Shrovetide football.

Alnwick's historic Shrovetide football tradition in 15 pictures

A Shrovetide tradition dating back to the 18th Century will be eagerly contested again on Tuesday, February 25.

The Alnwick Shrovetide Football Match, now contested by the parishes of St Michael’s and St Paul’s, was first recorded in 1762.

The game has only a few rules with the goals decorated with greenery and standing about 400 yards apart.

Last year, St Michael’s took the bragging rights with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal – or hale – by Shrovetide veteran Lee Pattinson, the fifth year running he has scored in the match.

This year’s match will see the ball dropped from Alnwick Castle’s Barbican at 2pm.

Led by a piper, the players, spectators and committee will then march down The Peth to the match field at The Pastures for kick off around 2.30pm.

After the game the ball is carried to the River Aln and thrown in. Whoever manages to get it out at the far side of the river is allowed to keep the ball.

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