Atherstone Ball Game in pictures: Cup cakes to cup winners

By Nick Hudson

26th Feb 2020 | Local News

Faces from the past: Cup cakes with images of celebrities who have opened the event in previous years . . . event pictures by Nick Hudson
Faces from the past: Cup cakes with images of celebrities who have opened the event in previous years . . . event pictures by Nick Hudson
My cup runneth over: Committee chairman Rob Bernard takes a bite
My cup runneth over: Committee chairman Rob Bernard takes a bite
Signing on: The 'road closed' prepares the town for the event
Signing on: The 'road closed' prepares the town for the event
Traffic calming: Long Street is fairly quiet
Traffic calming: Long Street is fairly quiet
Just in time: The Clock gets the 'board' treatment
Just in time: The Clock gets the 'board' treatment
Charity shutdown: Myton Hospices taking no chances
Charity shutdown: Myton Hospices taking no chances
Sunshine and shadow: The currant bun draw a pretty picture on Atherstone Crapets & Flooring
Sunshine and shadow: The currant bun draw a pretty picture on Atherstone Crapets & Flooring
Last minute adjustment: There's an art to this boarding up, at Atherstone Gallery
Last minute adjustment: There's an art to this boarding up, at Atherstone Gallery
Hole in the wall: Well, only one open space at the Co-op, Atherstone
Hole in the wall: Well, only one open space at the Co-op, Atherstone
Cup winner: Coventry City FA Cup-winning player Dave Bennett, left, scored the first goal in the 1987 final and with him former Sky Blues player Kirk Stephens
Cup winner: Coventry City FA Cup-winning player Dave Bennett, left, scored the first goal in the 1987 final and with him former Sky Blues player Kirk Stephens

It started as the cup cakes and trophy winners that brought cheers to the crowd.

But sadly it ended in a drama no one foresaw and a premature finish for the 821st Atherstone Ball Game.

Former Coventry City footballers Dave Bennett – a member of the 1987 FA Cup-winning side against Spurs – and Kirk Stephens got the 2020 event underway by tossing the giant leather ball into the crowd from the Atherstone Conservative Club balcony yesterday afternoon at 3pm.

Both men also played at neighbouring non-leaguers, Nuneaton Boorugh.

Dave Bennett told Nub News that despite the fact it is 33 years since Sky Blues triumphed, a number of his cup-winning teammates "still get together every six weeks or so".

The cup cakes images imprinted were of former celebrities who have opened the event.

Nub News, a first time 'participant' at the event, plans to bring you a full picture coverage of the Shrove Tuesday event.

     

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