It follows a two-hour battle to be the last ones in possession of a specially made leather ball in the north Warwickshire townAtherstone Ball Game begins
The joint winners of the Atherstone Ball Game has been announced after a brutal opening.
They have been named as James Bernard and Kieran Marshal.
It follows a two-hour battle to be the last ones in possession of a specially made leather ball in the north Warwickshire town after it is thrown and kicked along Long Street.
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This was the 826th Ball Game and it is held every year on Shrove Tuesday.
Players take part in the 826th Atherstone Ball Game in Atherstone(Image: PA)
It is not the first time that there has been more than one winner
Three years ago Scott Wright, Lewis Cooper, and Kieran Marshall were all named victors of the competition.
Fracas were witnessed within seconds of the start of the 2026 game at 3pm. It concluded at 5pm.
Atherstone shuts down to accommodate the unique day.
Shops and businesses were also seen boarding up windows to avoid any damage.
The Atherstone Ball Game is held each year to honour a game of medieval football held between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1199.
The two teams used a bag of gold as a ball, with Warwickshire emerging victorious on that occasion.