The annual Burton-on-the-Water football match is an old tradition that still manages to draw the interest of thousands of football fans.
No one really knows how the unusual football tradition began, but one thing is for sure – the Burton-on-the-Water match has been played for over 100 years, in the ankle-high waters of River Windrush, in Burton, Gloucester.
Two teams of six compete in the unique football match: the Burton Rovers First Eleven and the Burton Rovers Second Eleven. The two teams have to follow the rules of a normal football game,while they try to control the ball through the shallow waters of the river. Spectators are advised to wear waterproof clothes if they wish to watch the game from the side of the “pitch”, as the teams tend to make a splash.
The 2010 edition of the Burton-on-the-Water football in the river match was held on Monday, August 30, and was watched by over 1,000 spectators.
Photo by Steve Parsons/PA
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Steve Parsons/PA
Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images
Photos via Guardian.co.uk
