| Where: | Scarborough, North Yorkshire starting outside Lloyds Bank on Newborough (procession) with game at South Bay Beach, Pennies along the Seafront pavement and Raft Race in the Harbour |
| When: | 26 December |
| Time: | Procession 10.20 am approx with kickoff at 10.30; Raft Race at 12.30 |
The oldest documented custom in Scarborough is the annual Boxing Day football game between the local Firemen and Fishermen, which began as a charity fundraising event with records dating back well over 150 years. It’s a light-hearted match with fancy dress, a comedy band, many dunkings in the briny and lots of drinking ( and nowadays probably few actual fishermen!). Logically the firemen wear red and the fishermen don white attire, while the Mayor starts the game and presents the silver cup to the winners. As if all that wasn’t enough for one day, the local Sub-Aqua Club organise a Raft Race to follow the game, which starts at 12.30 at the Harbour, and a mile of pennies is lined up, which you can contribute to, along the seafront.
Helpful Hints
Money raised on the day is donated to local charities in the spirit of the original nineteenth century fundraiser. The parade to the harbour started nearer 10.30 than 10 am (the official starting time) when we went in 2018.
Click here for the event website: http://fishermenandfiremen.co.uk
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/boxingdayscarborough/
And here for a comprehensive history of the origins of the game: http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/article.php?article=115
I really hope it’s on this year.
Fingers and toes crossed!