Last updated 13:52, Sunday, 23 March 2008

UPPIES and Downies veterans say that it will take a squad of riot police with the army in support if an attempt is made to stop the traditional mass football game being played on The Cloffocks in Workington.

The 2008 series kicks off today on The Cloffocks - and no problems are expected.

But in a year’s time, the ancient playing ground will be partially blocked by a huge new Tesco superstore, with filling station and car park, sparking fears that the annual Easter game might not survive.

Joe Sandwith, a veteran downie player and Socs (Save our Cloffocks) campaigner fears that any damage caused by future events would signal the end of the historic game.

Mr Sandwith said: “Uppies and Downies is a game without rules and controls and I believe that it will not be long before there is collateral damage caused to Tesco property or to a customer’s car - and that is when Tesco will play the health and safety card and take steps to ban the game.

“To my mind, uncontrolled football and petrol pumps just cannot survive side by side. This land should never be built on.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are neutral on Uppies and Downies; it is not in our remit to either allow or to stop the games.

“There will be plenty of room in 2009 for the game to pass through and over our car park, but we will take steps to protect our property then and we will be warning our customers who might park on the days the game is being played.

“We will take the steps that other businesses take, but we will not be building a 10ft security fence round our site.

“We are not prepared to comment on the supposition that damage will be caused during the 2009 games.”

Mr Sandwith added: “ If and when the time comes for authority to thwart the ancient rights of the people of Workington, then there will be 2,000 of us and it will take the army to do it; that is the strength of feeling there is now.”

Uppies and Downies, traditionally a game between residents of the lower and upper town, was first recorded by local newspapers in 1775.

It was beginning to lose its popular appeal until sponsors were found in 2001 to raise around £3,000 for Macmillan Nurses on the back of the game.

Since then, more than £60,000 has been raised for good causes and this year’s beneficiary is Workington RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Uppies and Downies begins tonight at 6.30pm, near Allerdale House. The second game of the series is on Tuesday and the third on Saturday, March 29.