Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide 2020: Up’ards slight favourites to win football game

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide 2020: Up'ards slight favourites to win

Ashbourne Shrovetide Football
Shrovetide participants gather before the ball is 'turned up'. Photo: Alex Chamberlain

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide football is set to return for 2020, reigniting the rivalry between the North and South of the town.

The game starts at 2pm on February, 25 with the ‘turning up’ of the ball taking place at the plinth in Shaw Croft car park.

But which of the two teams has been the more successful?

The Up’ards from North of Henmore Brook, were unbeaten from 2011 to 2018, but fell to a shock defeat last year.

The Down’ards came out on top in a close encounter, beating their rivals 1-0 and claiming the bragging rights in the Derbyshire town.

In 2014, 2015 and 2017, the Northern side stormed to a 2-0 and two 1-0 wins respectively.

Five of the last 10 Royal Shrovetide football games have resulted in draws, so do not be shocked to see the game end all square.

The weather could have a major effect on the outcome of the tie, so be sure to check the forecast and the Royal Shrovetide Players committee for updates on how the game will be played.

If there is too much rain, the game may not include river play so any team whose preparation focuses on relying on their river players may be at a disadvantage.

This could make the role of the runners even more important in this year’s game.

The runners’ job is to wait outside of the hug – the scrum-like formation – collect the ball from it and make as much progress towards the oppositions goal as possible.

Be sure to follow StoryHub – @StoryHubDerby on Twitter and Facebook and on storyhubderby.co.uk – to keep up to date with all the action.