I went to Britain's most brutal football game - Workington Uppies and Downies

Описание: It's March, and this time I'm in Workington to see a part of British history still alive today - the oldest ball game probably known to these Isles. Like many similar events up and down Britain, the Uppies and Downies is a ball game dating back centuries, if not more. Three games take place over three days around Easter time, bringing together the whole town into one of its most enduring traditions. It's a brutal game of strength and endurance. And here in Workington it means so much more to this once thriving industrial town.

This year I'm hoping to visit some of Britain's more unusual annual festivals, to capture some of the sense of fun, pride and craziness that comes with our strangest and most loved traditions.

If you'd like to visit Workington for the Uppies and Downies game next year, the first game will be Good Friday.

Every year the game raises hundreds of pounds for local good causes and in 2024 it was for Andy's Man Club, a charity focused on preventing male suicide and encouraging men to speak about their mental health. To support the charity visit:

andysmanclub.co.uk

04:36 - History of football
07:11 - How to play Workington's game
09:51 - History of Workington
13:10 - Pre-match amble
14:31 - The scrum
20:51 - The finale!

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