A TRADITIONAL game with deep roots in Barnsley is being revived by a bunch of dedicated enthusiasts.

Knurr and spell, which has dipped in its popularity over the last century, was once a thriving sport in the town with reports regularly featuring in the Chronicle’s sport pages as a contemporary to football, boxing, rugby union and pigeon racing.

Now Boz Davison wants to start reviving the sport at Wortley Men’s Club.

They will be holding a competition on April 26 in conjunction with their St George’s Day celebrations.

For the uninitiated, knurr and spell is seen by many as a poor man’s golf.

The main aim of the game is to whack the knurr/potty, a small ball, with a stick as far as possible.

Players are needed to get involved with three trophies up for grabs.

They include ‘biggest knock’ for the longest hit.

The single player gong will go to the player with the most points for yard and there will also be a team prize.

Boz said: “It was bigger than cricket at one time and certainly more lucrative with the prize money on offer.

“I think there are two or three reasons why it died off but particularly the secret of making the sticks had gone.

“By the ‘70s it was a niche sport with only a few playing it.

“We want to be as traditional as we can and get a few teams involved.”

To get in touch with Boz, email: knurrandspell@yahoo.com