I went to Britain's most brutal football game - Workington Uppies and Downies
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2024
- It's March, and this time I'm in Workington to see a part of British history still alive today - the oldest ball game probably known to these Isles. Like many similar events up and down Britain, the Uppies and Downies is a ball game dating back centuries, if not more. Three games take place over three days around Easter time, bringing together the whole town into one of its most enduring traditions. It's a brutal game of strength and endurance. And here in Workington it means so much more to this once thriving industrial town.
This year I'm hoping to visit some of Britain's more unusual annual festivals, to capture some of the sense of fun, pride and craziness that comes with our strangest and most loved traditions.
If you'd like to visit Workington for the Uppies and Downies game next year, the first game will be Good Friday.
Every year the game raises hundreds of pounds for local good causes and in 2024 it was for Andy's Man Club, a charity focused on preventing male suicide and encouraging men to speak about their mental health. To support the charity visit:
andysmanclub.co.uk
04:36 - History of football
07:11 - How to play Workington's game
09:51 - History of Workington
13:10 - Pre-match amble
14:31 - The scrum
20:51 - The finale!
========================================
Facebook: @BeeHereNowUK
Instagram: @olliet_uk
Support me on Patreon for added extras and exclusive content:
/ beeherenow
If you like the video and want to show some support, how about buying me a brew. Thanks!
www.buymeacoff...
Subscribe for more world-changing Northern history.
It’s history , and tradition and should be upheld .
Great history. Well done lads, all salt of the earth types and seem great characters 😉🙂. Keep up the tradition because all our history and ways is sadly disappearing or being taken from us. 🏴
A fascinating insight into local culture and tradition. I wasn't aware that people still played original football, so I have learned something new today. What a great day out. Thanks for sharing Olly.
Thanks very much for watching it and I'm glad you found it interesting. It's very fascinating isn't it? I had a really good time there learning about it
😂😂😂Love it, and I’m only around an hours drive away in Lancashire, I may just go next year and see it for myself, my second eldest son would love to watch this as he’s very keen on his rugby and an ex squadie.
I love the fact that health and safety has been given the finger and the people themselves keep it safe and play it in a good spirit. Well done to the Uppie’s, hope the Downie’s managed at least to win one game.
Brave Ollie! Unusual and surprising clip, finally impressive and worth watching!
sitting here in Australia watching this in awe! Its an amazing & historic community event, thats for sure.😅
Check out " the Atherstone ball game " 👍
Also the Sedgefield Ball game..
Brilliant footage it's better than I thought it would be. You are more than welcome to come back 😊
Thanks Nutty mate. Glad you enjoyed it! I've been telling everyone I know that they have to go next year to see it. It was such a brilliant day!
@@DannyGstooth You've only copy-and-pasted a similar comment twice. Surely you must want to try the same move a couple more times to see if you can score a goal? 🤔😱😈
Watching our local game, the Haxey Hood, the 'sway' (scrum) is forever collapsing, but its in a muddy field where it's well cushioned, this one doesn't seem to collapse, which is just as well otherwise there'd been more drownings. Well done everyone.
"I won't win yan" proper Cumbrian dialect
Brilliant film about a great tradition. My mate used to have The Steam Packet pub near the docks and loved having the players in. He would give them a couple of free drinks. Each of course. A great fun day.
They have a similar game in Orkney. The Uppies and the Doonies.
Great video, looking forward to seeing some other events from around the country. Good to see sports that are about taking part and not corporate sponsorship.
Class video . Nice to meet you when you were here
Cheers Tut! Nice to meet you too mate. Thanks for having me. Hope the video is okay 😁
Serendipitously good video. Just the right amount of back-and-forth cuts to keep interest throughout. Really enjoyable.
Aw thanks Marvin. Glad you enjoyed it 😊
What a great way to get the family out of the house, away from "online video gaming," and see a real game being played by real people. Ollie, this was a very enjoyable out of the box watch. Thanks for all your time, work and posting.
Hey thanks for watching it, glad you enjoyed the concept of the game. Was a real pleasure to make this one 😊
@@BeeHereNowuk It's always nice to see large groups people outside interacting with each other.
LOVE IT!!! I hope you enjoyed your stay in Workington! There certainly isn't any other town like it in the UK :)
Thanks very much! Glad you loved the video! I had such a top time in Workington and such a warm welcome! You're right - it's very very very unique!
What an ace video, an amazing story, well told and filmed. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
9 mins. You know when someone is in Stone Island its going to kick off.
Brilliant video
Great subject
West Cumbrians are a fantastic bunch.
Yes they are! Agreed! 😁
Fantastic video Ollie - a great bit o' history there !!
Glad you enjoyed it mate!
Enjoyed this with my earl grey and burnt crumpets,but its tame compared to teds always trying to stab me as a punk in 77 debs xx ps sadly most traditions are going,in small village used to live in was worm charming.
Shrovetide (Shove Tuesday) Football , ATHERSTONE Warwickshire, reputed to have been played for over 800 years . Check it out.
They do a similar game in Sedgefield County Durham..
I think it’s the old railway that divides the uppies and downies not the river derwent.
It was actually the curwen family workers vs the Lonsdale family workers what originally decided who you played for .
Then it was the old railway when the families stopped employment
I now live in New Zealand, great place, do I miss the UK?, sorry to say when I see how badly working people are treated there, no.
But do I miss this very British form of lunacy , absolutely.
Random Souths Guy really is everywhere.
Bunnies?
Note to self Ollie buy a battery pack for outside broadcasts. 😊
I am interested in the tactics of this game. There most be some like spotters, runners, holders, Attackers , defenders ect?
Oh I'm not sure really. It's more a free for all, but your team mates will help you out if you've got the ball, and tackle anyone trying to get at you. I don't think there are any spotters, attackers etc
@@BeeHereNowuk there must be some chit chat down in the local boozer in the weeks leading up to it. I'm sure they must talk some tactics but like you say probably mostly a free for all.
Every one of them is related
Cave men trying too hard and failing
Your almond milk is getting warm, put the internet down before you accuse everybody of being racist👍
Get a grip you girls blouse 🤔🤨
Iian Rollason. The bloke in the red and green striped top is Workingtons biggest bully and disgrace, he is a failed fighter that thinks he is something, massive narcissist that is VERY insecure particularly about his looks, him and Pat Carr need to abandon this game and GROW UP, you aren't gonna get your youth back boys 😂😂😂
are your knickers splitting your fanny!!!!!
@@whitecompany18 Sensitive cave men