A delightful and once-forgotten sport is making a joyful return, rekindling excitement in the villages where it originally flourished.
“Knurr-and-spell,” a charming ball game once popular in the pubs of South Yorkshire, England, had faded into obscurity by the 1970s. This unique game, reminiscent of golf, involves players striking a clay ball with a specially designed stick.
The objective is to hit the ball—known as the knurr or “pottie”—as far as possible. The knurr is positioned on a stressed iron rod, which acts like a catapult; a quick tap from the player’s stick launches the ball into the air, allowing the player to swing at it.
Boz Davison, hailing from Crane Moor near Barnsley, is passionately dedicated to reviving this game, which he believes fell victim to elitism in the past. “I stumbled upon a book featuring images of knurr-and-spell from 1933,” he shared. “In a series titled Played In Britain, it was labeled a ‘defunct game.’ That struck a chord with me.”
The origins of knurr-and-spell can be traced back to the Germanic tradition, as suggested by its name—“knurren” means a wooden ball and “spielen” signifies play. A similar game is enjoyed in Switzerland as well.
Although the traditionally crafted, flexible sticks made from hickory or ash are now hard to find, this hasn’t deterred Mr. Davison. He began crafting some of the necessary equipment himself and has adjusted the rules to make participation easier.
Those who remember the last revival of knurr-and-spell in the 1970s are observing Mr. Davison’s efforts with keen interest. “One of the players, Eric Wilson from Grenoside, won the World Championship in 1969, while another, Tommy Chambers, competed in the 1972 World Championships,” Davison noted. “So far, we’ve played four exciting games.”
Davison has adapted the rules concerning the sticks for this new revival, acknowledging the challenges of finding the right equipment. “In the past, players needed specific gear and skilled stick-makers. Trying to create those sticks is quite a challenge, often taking a week,” he explained. “Back then, people would practice with walking sticks, but those techniques have sadly faded.”
For his game days, he welcomes the use of hockey sticks and hurling sticks, as they share a similar weight and feel to the original knurr-and-spell sticks.
The next official match is set to take place in Leeds later this year, and Davison is excited about organizing games in Lancashire to reignite the classic rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire, a spirited competition in any sport.
While players in the 1970s may not have prioritized health and safety, Davison has taken proactive steps to ensure everyone’s well-being by securing special public liability insurance for the events.
