Atherstone Ball Game in pictures: Cup cakes to cup winners

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.