Splashes and silliness at annual football match in shallow river

An annual football match held in a shallow river drew a bigger crowd than ever this year – perhaps because spectators hoped to be splashed on the sidelines on the hot bank holiday Monday.

The amusing game takes place in the ankle-deep River Windrush, which runs through Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds – and has been played for over a century.

Catherine Williams, youth secretary for Bourton Rovers FC, said this year was the busiest she has seen in a decade of helping to organise the game.

“It’s the pinnacle of our season, rain or shine we’ll always make sure we’re here, it’s absolutely huge for us,” she said.

Ms Williams said the tradition started when drinkers in the riverside Kingsbridge pub got bored one day and decided to have a kick around.

But the dry weather this year means river levels are lower than usual – meaning risk of injury is higher.

“It has been on our minds during the heatwave, players do go down quite a lot so they’re coming out pretty bruised and battered,” Ms Williams said.

The event – in which many spectators on the sidelines do get splashed – pits Bourton Rovers men’s team against club veterans for a 30-minute match.

It was refereed by Mike Smith, who wore a dress and bright pink wig for the occasion.

Mr Smith said afterwards: “It was a good game. We tried to make it as entertaining as possible but also keep to the rules.

“The vets always want to beat the young lads.”

However, it was not so – this year’s battle ended 2-1 to the men’s team.