Latest news with #UppiesandDownies
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Uppies lead Downies in 'no rules' football series
The first game in this year's traditional no-rules mass football series has taken place in Cumbria. The 2025 Uppies and Downies series started on Good Friday in Workington, with players from the upper part of the town competing with rivals from the lower end for local pride and to win a specially made ball. Match ball sponsor Billie Saffill's seven-year-old son Brodhie "threw off" the ball to mark the start of the three-match series. Friday's opener was won by the Uppies. The remaining clashes will take place on Tuesday and on 26 April. Ms Saffill said this year's ball was dedicated to Graeme Dixon, known as Willox, who died following a cardiac arrest during last year's series. Uppie Richard Hodgson said he remembered Mr Dixon for always being in the scrum. Patrick Carr, a Downie, added: "He was an absolute diamond of a person." Friday's game saw the Uppies clinch victory, with Shane Roe managing to get the ball after the scrum stalled at the cricket club. The Uppies won last year's series 2-1. Records of the game go as far back as the mid-1600s. Originally it was a challenge between the dockers, now the Downies, and the miners, now the Uppies. To win, the Uppies have to try to get the ball to Workington Hall, while the Downies need to take it to a ship's capstan at Workington harbour. Uppies and Downies is one of a few surviving mass football games still played in the UK. Others include the Shrovetide Football game in Ashborne, Derbyshire, and the Ba' Game played in Kirkwall, Orkney. Uppies and Downies in Workington remains the only medieval football game to neither have official organisers nor rules. Participants turn up for each match at 18:30 at The Cloffocks. Players do not wear uniforms or identifying colours, making it difficult to know which team they belong to. There is a gentleman's agreement that cars must not be used to take the ball away from the scrum. The game is played all across town and the game only ends when the ball is hailed - thrown into the air three times - by the winner. A ball is made especially for each game, with an inscription of the date and the name of the ball maker. For more than 40 years, it has been made by Mark Rawlinson. Three families sponsor each of the three balls in the series. As a thank you, they choose who throws off the ball from the little bridge between the Black Path and Allerdale House, where the game traditionally begins. The winner keeps the ball as a trophy and becomes a town hero for the night. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Workington: It's time for Uppies and Downies Town readies for return of no-rules football game
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Workington's Uppies lead Downies in 'no rules' football series
The first game in this year's traditional no-rules mass football series has taken place in 2025 Uppies and Downies series started on Good Friday in Workington, with players from the upper part of the town competing with rivals from the lower end for local pride and to win a specially made ball sponsor Billie Saffill's seven-year-old son Brodhie "threw off" the ball to mark the start of the three-match opener was won by the Uppies. The remaining clashes will take place on Tuesday and on 26 April. Ms Saffill said this year's ball was dedicated to Graeme Dixon, known as Willox, who died following a cardiac arrest during last year's Richard Hodgson said he remembered Mr Dixon for always being in the Carr, a Downie, added: "He was an absolute diamond of a person." Friday's game saw the Uppies clinch victory, with Shane Roe managing to get the ball after the scrum stalled at the cricket Uppies won last year's series of the game go as far back as the it was a challenge between the dockers, now the Downies, and the miners, now the win, the Uppies have to try to get the ball to Workington Hall, while the Downies need to take it to a ship's capstan at Workington and Downies is one of a few surviving mass football games still played in the include the Shrovetide Football game in Ashborne, Derbyshire, and the Ba' Game played in Kirkwall, Orkney. Uppies and Downies in Workington remains the only medieval football game to neither have official organisers nor turn up for each match at 18:30 at The do not wear uniforms or identifying colours, making it difficult to know which team they belong is a gentleman's agreement that cars must not be used to take the ball away from the game is played all across town and the game only ends when the ball is hailed - thrown into the air three times - by the winner. A ball is made especially for each game, with an inscription of the date and the name of the ball more than 40 years, it has been made by Mark families sponsor each of the three balls in the series. As a thank you, they choose who throws off the ball from the little bridge between the Black Path and Allerdale House, where the game traditionally winner keeps the ball as a trophy and becomes a town hero for the night. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Uppies win the first game in the annual Easter tradition
The Uppies have won the first game in the annual Workington tradition of Uppies and Downies. Shane Roe hailed the ball shortly before 11pm on Good Friday, securing a win for the Uppies. The event was kicked off Seven-year-old Brodhie Saffill-Kirkpatrick from Northside yesterday evening who threw off the ball. It was an overall Uppies win last year with victory secured by Richard Hodgson, lifelong Uppie Elvin Jarvis said he is 'sure the Downies will be out in force this year to try and win'. READ MORE: Workington looks forward to Uppies and Downies 2025 series this Easter The traditional Easter game - which is played in three matches on Good Friday and the following Tuesday and Saturday - sees those with roots in the upper part of town try to take a specially-made ball to Workington Hall, while those from the lower part trying to get it to the harbour. Workington is brought to life every Easter with shouts of 'The ball is in the beck!' and 'Come on Uppies!' or 'Go on Downies!'.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Uppies and Downies participants urged to be safe ahead of tomorrow's event
People taking part in this year's Uppies and Downies are being urged to be safe and look after each other. Cumbria Police, and other local agencies, have been meeting ahead of the first event on Friday to make plans to ensure people stay safe during the traditional Workington event. Extra officers and resources will be deployed for the three days of events which take place on April 18, 22, and 26. Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley said: "We will have officers and partner agencies in the area to ensure the event is safe. "We want people to enjoy each event, but we are asking those involved and watching to think about their safety and look out for each other. "Those taking part need to be aware of their surroundings and take particular care near water and other area." Members of the community should consider where they park their vehicles during Uppies and Downies to avoid any damage and visitors are told to 'take care' when visiting. Police are also asking parents to speak to their children if they're planning on attending the events to ensure they're aware of safety advice and the consequences of engaging in criminal behaviour. A spokesperson for Cumbria Police added: "People should be especially careful of the risks posed by large crowds, leading to potentially serious injuries, as well as trips, sprains and bruises. "Those taking part are asked to be particularly careful when entering or considering entering any water. This can put people at particularly high risk and is not recommended." Advice on water safety can be found on the Cumbria Fire & Rescue website, and people should dial 999 if there is an emergency.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Uppies and Downies leads to change of venue for county cup final
Plans to hold this season's Fred Conway Cumberland Cup final at Workington Reds' Borough Park have been shelved - because of Uppies and Downies. The county senior cup showpiece between Penrith and Carlisle City was due to be staged at the Reds' ground later this month. But the Cumberland Football Association are now seeking a new venue for the 2025 final after receiving police advice and conducting a risk assessment. The final was due to be held in Workington on the evening of Tuesday, April 22. That, though, is also the date for the second of the three-game series in the historic Uppies and Downies mass ball game which takes place in the west Cumbrian town every Easter. The Cumberland FA said that, after announcing the scheduled final, they were contacted by Workington Reds, who highlighted the clash with Uppies and Downies. — Cumberland FA ⚽️ (@CumberlandFA) April 3, 2025 The county FA said that, following this, "we conducted a risk assessment in line with our health and safety processes. "We have also liaised with Cumbria Police, who have advised that we will be unable to host the final at Borough Park on the evening of Tuesday, April 22 due to various reasons, as a result of the clash with Uppies and Downies. "Because of this, we are working with both Penrith AFC and Carlisle City to find an alternative solution, with a further update to be issued in due course." Workington Reds hosted last year's final though the majority of finals in recent times have been staged at Carlisle United's Brunton Park.
