Centuries’ Old Football (1931)

Full title reads: “Ashbourne, Derby. Centuries’ Old Football - marks advent of Lent. Whole town takes part in game which has no rules and whose origin is lost in mists of our ancient history.“ Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Large group of men participate in an ancient game which involves trying to get a ball from one end of the town to the other. The run across a field and leap into the river after the ball. It is raining and most of the players and spectators are wearing raincoats. The ball is thrown out of the river and then back in. The players move off across the field chasing after the ball. Intertitle reads: “Official ban did not prevent the game being played in Chester-Le-Street - Oh, no! the police were kept busy pouncing on ball after ball.“ (This section is mute) Chester-le-Street, Durham. Men in this Durham town play a similar game in the streets. Policemen seem to be trying to stop the game, but play continues. One injured player is led away by the police. The police seem to end up searchin