Atherstone crowds hold their annual ball; THE SHROVE TUESDAY TRADITION OF THE YEARLY GAME BEGINS WITH THE UNVEILING OF A SPECIAL TREE STATUE.

Byline: DAYLE CRUTCHLOW

IN many ways it was a big year for the Atherstone ball game, with the departure of a long-serving chairman and the ushering in of a new one, the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture and the emergence of a mystery benefactor for the game.

Essentially, however, it was business as usual for the marauding hordes battling for the ball as the traditional Shrove Tuesday bedlam took over Long Street.

And as the claxon sounded to end the mayhem at 5pm the ball game had a new four-times champion - Grendon's Dave Mitchell.

The day had started calmly with the unveiling of a tree sculpture at the new Barratt Mercia Homes development in Bracebridge Road.

Three tree stumps, which had been left after the removal of trees at the Waterside development, have been carved by artist Bob Iliffe into a sculpture depicting two players tussling for the ball.

Sally Tate, spokesperson for Barratts, said: "It started off as an idea from our site manager, Simon Hayes. Something that I have come to appreciate over the past few weeks is the passion and tradition behind the ball game.

"Barratts is very proud and pleased to be associated with it."

Before the game itself kicked off incoming chairman of the Ball Game Committee Pete Groucott paid tribute to his predecessor, Bill Dixon. He said: "I have a big act to follow. If I can do half as well as Bill then I will be very proud."

Pete then revealed details of the game's new mystery benefactor. He said: "An ex-Atherstone man has offered to sponsor the ball until 2009. He did say that if his name came out he'll stop doing it, so I'm saying nothing."

Becoming chairman meant that it was the last time Pete would be acting as a steward. He said: "I'm told that next year I've got to put a suit on which I'm not going to like one bit because I like to be down there with the lads."

Before the ball was thrown out of Barclays Bank window pennies were chucked and children scrambled to be the lucky winner of the golden penny and the pounds 10 that comes with it. Emerging victorious was 13-year-old James Deeming, from Warwick Drive, a pupil at Queen Elizabeth School.

And then, at 3pm, it was time for outgoing chairman Bill Dixon, aged 72, to take on his role as the celebrity guest and throw the ball out to the baying throng.

He said: "If you've ever seen anyone winning the Olympics, well that's how I feel. This is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

"I didn't think this would ever happen to me in the 46 years I've been living here. I've never been so happy as when I've been involved in the ball game."

This year actually saw a relatively free-flowing game, with the ball regularly moving up and down the length of Long Street.

By 4.25pm the first of a smattering of fights had broken out and, five minutes later, the ball had gone to ground.

When proceedings finally came to a close it was 40-year-old Dave Mitchell, representing a team from Grendon Working Men's Club, who emerged victorious.

It was Dave's fourth win, having claimed the ball previously in 1996, 1998 and 2001, and he paid tribute to his team mates.

He said: "We had a plan and we stuck to it. The lads worked hard. There's always a good team behind a good winner.

"This is a real tradition - the longest-running ball game in the country. It's a privilege and an honour to win it."

CAPTION(S):

HE WHO DARES...: Dave Mitchell is presented with the trophy by Barclays manager Louise Pratt, with his team, and (left) the ball is thrown at the start. IN THE MONEY: Gold penny winner James Deeming with ball game organiser Harold Taft and (left) crowds grapple to get to the ball in Long Street YOUNG PLAYER: Robson Smith, aged two, gets a kick of the ball with the help of Rocky King, (left) the ball moves along the street and (below) a new ball game statue is unveiled before the game commences (from left) North Warwickshire mayor Derek Pickard, Atherstone mayor Richard Barker and artist Bob Iliffe Pictures by DARRYL SMITH and ROBIN BIDGOOD