Heavy rain and a Met Office weather warning didn’t stop Workington’s finest turning out for the second game of the town’s historic Uppies and Downies.
The no-rules mass football game dates back hundreds of years – the town divides into two teams of the Uppies and the Downies and each tries to get the specially-made leather ball to their respective hailing points – the Uppies to Workington Hall and the Downies to Workington Harbour.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Cumbria and rain poured down in the town since mid-afternoon. But that didn’t stop players congregating at the Cloffocks for the ball to be thrown off at 6.30pm and crowds arriving to cheer them on.
Earlier, Workington vicar Ian Grainger blessed a memorial stone for the four players who have died during Uppies and Downies.
George Young died in 1828, Chris Smith died in 1882, John Johnstone died in 1932 and Robert Storey died in 1983.
Mr Grainger gave thanks for history of game and tradition and the led the group in remembering those lost in the game.
The stone was blessed – Ian has been watching on and off for 21 years.
Uppie Joe Clark, the longest playing Uppies and Downies player also attended the blessing.
He said: “We look after each other, we have to. In all the years I’ve played I’ve never seen thuggery or violence – it’s tribal.”
Joe is playing tonight and proudly displayed his socks tucked into his trousers – grinning ear to ear in the poor weather he said he still felt the same excitement he first felt at 14 years old playing in 1966.
He also said the game was 12 months of bragging rights for the winning side and that it was all about community spirit. He added: “It’s all Workington has left.”
The ball was thrown off by Imogen Daglish, following in her grandad, dad and brothers’ footsteps. It was the eight-year-old’s first time and she said she was excited to carry on the tradition but a bit nervous as well.
Uppies scooped the second match – Nathan Askew nabbed the ball but gave it to his best friend’s dad, Brian Fearon, of Ashfield, to hail at Workington Hall.
You can see how the game unfolded here
It means Uppies have won the series but Downies will be playing for their pride in the final game on Saturday. Join us from 6pm for live updates from the game! See you then….
