Mob Footy

In the Public Highways

Emerged from Medieval Europe

From Village to Village

Alnwick in Northumberland

Ashbourne in Derbyshire

Atherstone in Warwickshire

Sedge field in County Durham

St Columb Major in Cornwall

14th Century

1314 - The first recorded game.

Held in Public Holidays most commonly on Shrove Tuesday

Highway Act 1835

This act banned football on public highways

Shrove Tuesday in 1847 - Last ever game played in Derby County

A local derby is still used to describe a match between neighbouring teams.

Derby provides the best example of the death of the ancient sport.

There were usually many bones fractured and joints twisted out of shape

Known as a ‘free for all’

Very few rules

Boisterous, aggressive game

It's Evolution

The head of a Danish soldier slain in battle was kicked from one village to another

Ancient, bloody and aggressive - “Dane’s Head”

Rules

Consisted of unlimited players per side

Any means could be used to move the ball to a goal, as long as it did not lead to manslaughter or murder

Involved groups of men from two connecting villages getting the ball from one end to the other

Earlier players used the inflated bladder of an animal

There was a separation between the Upper and Lower Class's

The rowdy lower class participated

The upper class felt it was too 'common' and aggressive to participate

Often groups of workers from specific villages and factories

Workers often brought friends and co-workers

Not a family event due to it's nature

Some claim that the games started as a celebration of the defeat of the Romans

It was a favourable pastime of Public Schools

The pupils were aggresive, it enabled a fight for dominance among them

Also, boisterous workers competed due to the aggressive nature of the game.

Villagers enjoyed the barbaric nature of the holiday contests