Photos as Alnwick Shrovetide football match returns

The annual match with almost no rules and no referee was held for the 207th time on Shrove Tuesday, March 4.

It starts when the Duke of Northumberland throws the ball from the turrets of Alnwick Castle ahead of a 2.15pm kick off.

The Duke of Northumberland puts the ball into play. (Image: PA)

Players and spectators formed a procession down to a field on the banks of the Aln where two huge goals, known as hales, awaited them a furlong apart, forming a supersized pitch almost double the length of a normal football field.

(Image: PA)

Two teams, formed of the old parishes of of St. Michael’s and St. Paul’s, compete over two 30 minute halfs.

(Image: PA)

At the end of the game, first held in 1762, the ball was kicked into the river for a one player to claim and bring out on the other side as ‘the ball winner’.

Players jump into the River Aln to retrieve the ball. (Image: PA) (Image: PA) (Image: PA) (Image: PA)

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The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland on the procession with the ball. (Image: PA) (Image: PA) (Image: PA)