Chaos as dozens kick each other in 'medieval football game' outside William Hill
A bizarre match of 'medieval football' erupted into violence with punches thrown and a betting shop damaged.
Footage of the 823rd Atherstone Ball Game - held annually on Shrove Tuesday - shows absolute carnage as crowds of players locked horns on a usually quiet town centre street.
Those taking part were warned to do so "at your own risk" on the event's official Facebook page.
Shops were boarded up in an effort to avoid as much damage as possible.
Prior to kick-off at 3pm yesterday in the Warwickshire town, dignitaries and special guests performed a sweet toss, in which sugary goodies were rained down on excitable children.
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But once the specially designed oversized ball - filled with water - was launched from the balcony of the Conservatives Club, things turned primal.
Players fight over an inflatable ball (PA)One man was seen sporting a black eye as brutal punches and kicks were dished out at the door of a William Hill shop as the competition moved into its final stages.
In a video, a man in work boots can be seen held aloft the crowd as he stamps down on those below him.
Spectators can be heard wincing.
Players began chanting in increasingly intimidating scenes, harking back to the heyday of football firms in the 1970s where hooligans moved in packs to start fights.
A huge crowd gathered to play (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)Photos show a man being wrestled to the ground.
The organisers posted to say they "strongly advise that alcohol or substance consumption is not recommended" before or during the event – and warned that anyone found under the influence would be removed.
This year, the ball had a special message marking the accession of King Charles III.
A man sporting a black eye amid the medieval game (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)There was also a ribbon in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Local 'legend' Gaz Jackson launched the ball to start the two-hour match.
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The proceedings grew more and more violent as the time ticked on.
The carnage saw a man taken to ground (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)Families and younger children backed off as the game entered its fabled final half hour, in which the chaos traditionally reaches a new, unthinkable level.
The ball had been snatched by Atherstone locals, who decided to hold out in the doorway to William Hill and fight off any challengers to the crown.
Two guys even climbed up onto the second level of the building, before swinging down off the shop sign straight into the melee below
When the whistle blew the winners were three pals Kieran Marshall, Scott Wright and Lewis Cooper who had to decide who got to take the ball home.
The game became increasingly more feisty (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)They told BirminghamLive: "It's a group of us, all mates from Atherstone and we all want to win it.
"If we win it again next year, we'll let all the lads take it until we all got one."
The event has only missed one year since its inception - 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Several injuries were sustained (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)Rules are few and far between, although it goes without saying that you're not allowed to kill anyone.
The action has also been restricted to Long Street for the last 50 years or so, before which the whole town was in play.
A post on the official Atherstone Ball Game Facebook page said: "For anybody wishing to participate or spectate you do so at your own risk!!"
The fabled final half an hour is when things traditionally turn very heated (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)It continued: "Atherstone ball game will not be held accountable. Please listen to stewards at all times for the safety and well being of everyone!!!"
Back in 2020 the ball game was forced to end early after a steward suffered a cardiac arrest, while in a 2019 a man was claimed to have lost an ear - though no official record of such injury was made.
It's one of just three medieval games still going, alongside the Royal Shrovetide Football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and Scoring the Hales in the Northumberland town of Alnwick.
Shops being boarded up ahead of the match (PA)Last year's winner Josh Sheldon presented his ball to Lee 'Razor' Rolinson, whose brother and fellow former ball game-winner Mark, tragically passed away following an eight-month battle with cancer last year.
Yesterday's game marked the end to five years of dominance from local rivals Grendon and the winners paraded their trophy through the Conservative Club to much applause.
The locals then gathered at the town's central watering hole.
Despite attacking each other just hours earlier, suddenly competitors were hugging, drinking and laughing along with the victors.
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