Atherstone Ball Game organisers hand out warning
ATHERSTONE Ball Game organisers have warned participants they now have ‘the eyes of the world on them and 820 years of history at stake.’
The Shrove Tuesday tradition returns to Long Street on February 25 when former Coventry City footballers Dave Bennett and Kirk Stephens throw out the ball to start the 821st Atherstone Ball Game.
But following violent scenes in last year’s event, which saw videos go viral being watched millions of times and even the New York Times carrying online content, a message has been spelt out to those who intend to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
“We all saw some of the unsavoury scenes at the start of the 2019 ball game that went everywhere,” said the event’s chairman, Rob Bernard. “When the ball is first thrown out all eyes are on what happens. So when scuffles happen on the fringes of that, everyone sees it.
“We all want a good, hard-fought ball game. But we also have to accept that the way the ball game is covered has changed.
“It’s a tradition that originates in the 12th century that is getting the 21st century treatment coveragewise with camera phones and GoPros.
“The future of this tradition lies in the hands of those who take part. But times are changing and all we’re asking is that people are mindful that the eyes of the world on them and 820 years of history at stake.”
For the first time in many decades, the ball will not be thrown out of the first-storey window of Barclays Bank, due to the branch’s closure last year. Instead it will be thrown from the balcony of Atherstone Conservative Club.
Many schools take half days in the town on Shrove Tuesday, with youngsters gathering to collect sweets that are thrown and the golden penny - which carries with it a £10 reward for the person who claims it.
At 3pm the ball game commences with an initial battle to gain the first possession. Then, under ball game rules, organisers aim to see the ball reach both ends of Long Street at least three times. This is largely processional with people of all ages having a chance to boot the ball along the tight corridor of buildings, as businesses close for the day and place protective boards on shop frontages.
From 4.30pm onwards, the ball game ‘proper’ commences, with competitors likely to deflate the ball, or, ‘take down,’ to assist with their attempt of keeping it in their possession. Normally supported by a teammates, united by a geographical area, or their local pub.
At 5pm the chief steward blows the klaxon to declare the ball game over, but only once they have seen who is in possession of the ball.
Bernard, whose wife Jannenn also operates as the Ball Game’s secretary, is keen to safeguard the town’s most treasured tradition for future generations.
“I love the ball game,” he said. “And I know I am not alone. Many people have been counting down the days until this year’s event, and I am one of them. There’s not many traditions around like this one any more. So it’s important people understand the context before they look at
We all want a good, hard-fought ball game. But we also have to accept that the way the ball game is covered has changed...
videos which just highlight flashpoints.
“I honestly believe the ball game is no more violent than it has been in the past, in fact probably less so.
“The difference is, only 10 years or so ago, unless you were here, you wouldn’t know too much about it. Now, there’s millions of people viewing videos or reading stories who perhaps do not know what the ball game means to the people of this town.
“And I can tell you, it means the world to most the people of Atherstone and the surrounding villages.”