Royal Shrovetide football

This leather football was used in the annual Royal Shrovetide Football Match on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, in the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The Ashbourne Shrovetide football match is an ancient game in which the two teams (those born on one side of the river versus those born on the other) try and score by getting the ball to posts at the opposite ends of the town. It is played over two eight hour sessions and the goals are three miles apart. The game has been played almost every year since 1667, although its exact origins are unknown.

The game starts by the ball being thrown into the air by the 'turner up', who is usually a respected local person. Famous people who have done this in the past are The Duke of Devonshire and Prince Charles. If a goal is scored after 5pm, then the game ends for the day, otherwise it continues until 10pm.

This particular ball was thrown up by Mr Walter Banner who was the Superintendent and Secretary of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.