Police have warned that Atherstone Ball Game 2024 is 'not an excuse for violence'. A message has been issued by Warwickshire Police on the eve of what will be the 824th event.

It warns people that the game is 'not an excuse' for violence. It comes as the force has, this year, said it will not tolerate the scenes that emerged last year which were caught on camera and went viral.

The force has laid out that it expects organisers to stop the game if violence does break out at any point. It has added that while the Ball Game committee is responsible for security at the event, officers will be prepared to step in.

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Drones and CCTV cameras will be used by the force during the event, which will see Long Street closed for the medieval football game to take place.

Proud committee members have urged people to ensure that trouble does not spoil the event, which puts the town on the map every year as one of the oldest Shrove Tuesday traditions in the country.

Atherstone Ball Game - what happens and when

The two-hour game is played along Long Street and North Warwickshire Borough Council confirmed that the main road will be closed from 11am until 6pm tomorrow. Diversions will be in place during this time.

This year, Atherstone born comic Josh Pugh has been given the honour of 'throwing the ball out' to officially start at 3pm. It is an extra special moment for the comedian as his late grandfather Graham Beale, who was a huge figure in the local community, will also be remembered on some of the ribbons that are tied onto the ball.

The ball is thrown out at 3pm and traditionally youngsters and non-game players are given an opportunity to kick the ball before the actual game itself starts. The game is hotly contested by teams not just from across the town but in neighbouring villages and towns.

They will all be vying to get hold of and keep possession of the ball because the player holding it when the klaxon sounds at 5pm, to mark the end, is declared the winner.

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