Published: 08/10/2008 00:00 -
Updated: 29/01/2010 12:37
I WAS intrigued the other day when Gareth, our reporter, pulled up on Youtube the trailer for Wild In The Streets - the new Shrovetide 'movie' from producers Jimmy Zalcman and Peter Baxter.
It seemed an age away since Peter came to my home and threw me then an unpainted leather ball in front of my Christmas Tree as it was December and asked me what I was going to paint on it for George Handley who was turning up the ball that year.
I was then interviewed in depth at the Ashbourne News Telegraph about the painting of the leathers and basically what our great game means to me.
Never one to dodge questions about my sexuality I think that too came into the mix, why a gay guy could like something as 'masculine' as our football game. Well, Shrovetide crosses all barriers, races and sexuality...so why not?
As my genes dictate that I am gay they also dictate the love of the game I have following in the footsteps of my ancestors, Joseph and John Burton, Norman Burton, Redvers Wibberley, Charlie Mee and Charlie Burton. all except the latter....up'ards! (oh dear!)
Funny and touching too from my perspective was when Peter Millward openly says he would accept his son if he were gay but not an up'ard!
good on you Pete, it takes a real bloke to make a brave and true statement like that...on both accounts!
If im truthful, I was a little worried worried when I saw up'ards and down'ards waving fists at each other and addressing each other as 'scum'. ok, this may just be portrayed as friendly rivalry, but will others see that from elsewhere who know not our custom and the 'friendly' strife it causes?
Gangs of incomers expecting a scrap or a riot will do the game no good.
BUT, I will reserve judgement until I see the final edit....the shots coupled with old film are indeed impressive!
It seemed an age away since Peter came to my home and threw me then an unpainted leather ball in front of my Christmas Tree as it was December and asked me what I was going to paint on it for George Handley who was turning up the ball that year.
I was then interviewed in depth at the Ashbourne News Telegraph about the painting of the leathers and basically what our great game means to me.
Never one to dodge questions about my sexuality I think that too came into the mix, why a gay guy could like something as 'masculine' as our football game. Well, Shrovetide crosses all barriers, races and sexuality...so why not?
As my genes dictate that I am gay they also dictate the love of the game I have following in the footsteps of my ancestors, Joseph and John Burton, Norman Burton, Redvers Wibberley, Charlie Mee and Charlie Burton. all except the latter....up'ards! (oh dear!)
Funny and touching too from my perspective was when Peter Millward openly says he would accept his son if he were gay but not an up'ard!
good on you Pete, it takes a real bloke to make a brave and true statement like that...on both accounts!
If im truthful, I was a little worried worried when I saw up'ards and down'ards waving fists at each other and addressing each other as 'scum'. ok, this may just be portrayed as friendly rivalry, but will others see that from elsewhere who know not our custom and the 'friendly' strife it causes?
Gangs of incomers expecting a scrap or a riot will do the game no good.
BUT, I will reserve judgement until I see the final edit....the shots coupled with old film are indeed impressive!
