Thursday, March 20, 2025
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Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide football 2025 recap from day one and two as Down’ards win 1-0

By DerbyJourno
This was the moment the ball was released from a garden and back into the fields. Photo: Will Jennings.
This was the moment the ball was released from a garden and back into the fields on day two of Shrovetide 2025. Photo: Will Jennings.

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It was once again that time of year – the annual Royal Shrovetide football match returned to the streets of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, for 2025.

Every year, the two-day event sees the town’s Up’ards and Down’ards teams compete against each other in an intense ball game – with thousands of people descending on the town to watch the proceedings.

The game commenced on Shrove Tuesday (March 4) at 2pm, following the turn-up of the ball from Ashbourne’s Shawcroft car park. The action then restarted on Ash Wednesday (March 5) at the same time for day two of play.

The town is divided by the Henmore Brook and, traditionally, those born north of the river are part of the Up’ards, while those born south are part of the Down’ards. The Up’ards were trying to goal the ball at Sturston, while the Down’ards concentrated their efforts on the goal at Clifton – with these locations three miles apart and both 1.5 miles away from where play begins.

On day one, after going missing for nearly two hours, the ball suddenly found its way to Clifton, where it was goaled by Martyn Taylor at around 8.20pm. It puts the Down’ards in the ascendancy heading into the second day of the action. Day two saw no goals at either Clifton or Sturston, meaning the Down’ards were ultimately victorious.

Our University of Derby Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism students were in Ashbourne providing updates and reaction from both days of the event for the StoryHub website – check out a full recap of their coverage here:

10.55pm: And that’s a wrap – Shrovetide 2025 comes to an end

With that, we bring our Shrovetide 2025 coverage to a close. It’s been a pleasure reporting on this amazing event as a StoryHub team and we hope you’ve enjoyed our updates.

Looking forward to seeing you all again next year!

10:40pm: Some more photos from the conclusion at the Greenman pub

There’s a great atmosphere at the Greenman tonight as the ball arrives at the venue.

There’s going to be some Down’ards’ celebrations tonight!

10.25pm: The ball arrives back at the Greenman pub in Ashbourne

There’s no goal to celebrate today but there’s still a Down’ards’ win as the ball makes it way back to the Greenman pub.

Here’s a clip of that moment from Beth Harrison:

10.05pm: Here’s the moment Shrovetide came to an end in Ashbourne

This is the moment Shrovetide came to its conclusion in the streets of Ashbourne, after an intense day of play which saw the ball thrown through the streets, the fields, the water and finally The Pavilion and back into the residential estate.

Great video by Beth Harrison:

10pm: That’s time – Shrovetide 2025 has come to an end

We’ve reached 10pm which means Shrovetide day two has officially come to an end and, with that, the Down’ards can claim their 1-0 victory.

It’s been an intense eight hours of play but there have been no goals after the second day of play, meaning Martyn Taylor’s goal from yesterday remains the only one.

9.40pm: Ball makes a brief journey in the Sturston direction

We’re still heading towards the Up’ards’ goal but we are quickly running out of time.

Only 20 minutes to go – surely only a runner could get it there in time now?

9.25pm: Our reporters remain at the Sturston goal, just in case

StoryHub reporters Phoebe Sheldon and Alex Coutts are waiting at the goal to see if the Up’ards can make it in time.

They said: “There’s plenty of people arriving at the goal and they do seem quite hopeful.

“They are all having a good laugh and a chat but they are not completely certain they’ll see any action.”

Meanwhile, the ball still remains on Belper Road in the Park Avenue area.

9.10pm: The hug leaves the fields and makes its way to the Sturston end of Park Avenue

We seem to be back in the streets once more as we leave the fields around the Henmore Brook and find ourselves at the junction of Park Avenue and Belper Road.

The advantage is still with the Up’ards but can the Down’ards hold them at bay?

8.55pm: Our reporters are crossing over the Henmore Brook once more

The hug seems to have moved further south again and once more in the direction of the Park Avenue area.

If the Up’ards are going to score, they are running out of time? Or could the Down’ards suddenly take it in the other direction?

8.35pm: We’re back in the fields and we have just under an hour-and-a-half to go

What a difference an hour makes. After a shift in play which saw the Down’ards have the upper hand in the early evening, we now seem to be heading back in the Sturston direction once more.

We’re still in the fields north of the Henmore Brook and east of the rugby pitches and our StoryHub reporting team remains with the hug. It’s been a fascinating evening of play.

8.15pm: StoryHub reporting team back with the hug

The hug is in sight once more and it seems to have moved in the direction of Sturston.

We have some reporters at the Sturston goal, just in case:

The Sturston goal in the darkness
It’s quiet at the Sturston goal at the moment – but will it be later? Photo: Alex Coutts

8.10pm: Temporary loss of the ball as it disappears from The Pavilion

So there’s a brief loss of the ball after it was held for quite a while at The Pavilion.

There are some unconfirmed reports that it has been taken by some Up’ards runners but our StoryHub reporting team waits for news…

7.55pm: Brief loss of the ball but we still seem to be at The Pavilion

It seemed like we might have lost the ball for a moment but the action still seems to be centred around The Pavilion.

Thousands of people are still in the Ashbourne area following all the action, even in the darkness.

7.40pm: A break in the play and we’re heading to The Pavilion

It looks like there’s been a break in the play once more and we now find ourselves under the well-lit Pavilion off Cokayne Avenue.

In the meantime, we’ve had the discarded shoes, we’ve had the lost sole and now we’ve found the abandoned muddy socks. Is there any other clothing we’ll find before the end of the match?

7.30pm: The atmosphere is electric as play moves to the rugby pitches

It’s been five-and-a-half hours since the ball was turned-up at Shawcroft car park and we’ve had some amazing play so far.

The ball made its way from the streets to the fields as it headed in the direction of Sturston. There’s been movement to get it back towards Clifton but our StoryHub team now find themselves on the rugby pitches.

Our reporters say, despite the darkness which has now descended over Ashbourne, the atmosphere remains excited and electric.

7.20pm: We continue our StoryHub livestream as the evening continues

As our StoryHub reporters continue to provide updates for this page, we are also broadcasting live on our StoryHub X page.

Check out the commentary here:

7.05pm: Some movement but not loads of progress in the fields

We’re into the sixth hour of play and there’s still a bit of a stalemate in the fields behind Park Avenue, with the occasional break.

Here’s some of the action happening in the darkness:

6.50pm: Another break towards the Sturston end

There’s a brief break in play and it looks like a surge towards the Sturston side, in favour of the Up’ards.

We’re still in the fields behind the Park Avenue area.

6.40pm: The darkness has well and truly descended on Ashbourne

It’s official – we are now playing in the dark on day two of Shrovetide 2025 as the sun finally sets on the town.

We are still very much where we have been for the past hour – in the fields north of Park Avenue, with the ball possibly still in the water.

This was the last glimpse of the sun before it set:

The sun setting in Ashbourne on day two of Shrovetide
The sun setting in Ashbourne on day two of Shrovetide. Photo: Phoebe Sheldon

6.20pm: The stalemate goes on in the fields

It’s been quite a different game to what we saw yesterday, with the bulk of the action in the fields on the Sturston side of the town.

We’ve seen a shift towards Clifton in the last hour though. Our StoryHub team are currently live broadcasting the latest updates here:

6pm: More movement in favour of the Down’ards as we reach the halfway mark

There’s been more movement in the direction of Clifton as we continue to play alongside the Henmore brook at the back of Park Avenue and the Pavilion.

This is what the Shrovetide crowd looks like from a distance:

5.50pm: What it’s like covering Shrovetide for our student journalists

Every year, the University of Derby’s Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism students attend Shrovetide in Ashbourne to practising their journalism skills as they cover the event.

They do a fabulous job providing coverage of all the action – and here’s what they get out of it:

5.40pm: Lots of to-ing and fro-ing and momentum changes in the fields

So our StoryHub reporting team remain in the fields as we head towards the 6pm mark, with both the Up’ards and Down’ards working hard for their teams in these crucial moments.

Don’t forget, if the ball is not goaled before 6pm, then any goal at either Clifton or Sturston will automatically end the game, so still lots to play for.

We’ve seen the ball edging closer to Sturston, then suddenly shifting towards Clifton, as both sides fight for supremacy under the setting sun.

5.25pm: Some scrambling and then a break in the favour of the Down’ards

So the tussling and scrapping in the fields continues, but there’s been some movement to the advantage of the Down’ards.

Here’s some footage of the scrambling which has been taking place:

5.15pm: More than three hours of play and the sun is starting to set

We’ve been in the thick of it for over three hours now and the sun is just starting to set over Ashbourne.

Have you been enjoying the game so far? Which way do you think it will go?

5.05pm: Lots of scrambling for the ball in the fields

We seem to have hit another stalemate in the fields, approximately about halfway from town towards the Sturston goal.

Plenty of people are just watching but lots are getting stuck in.

The crowd around the ball in the fields at Ashbourne.
There has been a lot of play in the fields on day two of Shrovetide 2025, rather than in the streets. Photo: Will Jennings.

4.55pm: Traversing the water and the fields never easy

Everyone is trying to find their way through the muddy fields and the water on their way to the ball, which is slowly making its way to Sturston.

If you are currently out there, make sure you take it steady!

The muddy fields in Ashbourne
The muddy fields in Ashbourne are making Shrovetide play tricky. Photo: Beth Harrison

4.50pm: We are heading in the direction of Sturston

It looks like our StoryHub reporting team have finally caught up with the ball and we are in the fields once more, edging ever closer to Sturston.

Could this be looking good for the Up’ards as they push towards their goal?

4.30pm: The ball is released from the garden and back in the fields

We’ve been waiting patiently for the ball to emerge from the garden in Beresford Avenue and it has now appeared.

Here’s footage from our reporter Beth Harrison of the ball back in the fields:

4.20pm: The ball now appears to be stuck in a garden

Some of the spectators are now being asked to move away, with the ball seemingly stuck in someone’s garden.

Here’s footage on one of the marshalls ushering people away:

4.10pm: People climbing up trees to get a view of the ball

So, as we head into the third hour of play, we can see some people climbing up trees to get a view of the ball, which now seems to be stuck in some hedges nearby some houses.

Everyone is waiting around to see where the ball is going to go next.

People in the trees at Ashbourne
People are doing what they can to get a view of the ball at Shrovetide. Photo: Vanessa Jackson.

4pm: ‘It’s complete carnage… it’s lovely’

This pair of Swedish YouTubers have been speaking to our reporters about how they have found Shrovetide.

They spoke with Alice Parkerson and Vanessa Jackson

3.50pm: Another glimpse of the ball as the two-hour mark approaches

We seem to be back in the water once more but, just before that, we got a couple of quick glimpses of the ball.

Some great videos courtesy of Tom Bowen and Beth Harrison:

3.45pm: Here’s the latest from our reporting team

We’re still in the fields with the Shrovetide ball at the moment, around the back of Park Avenue.

Check out the latest from our reporting team:

3.30pm: Meet Bruce, the assistance dog, who is at Shrovetide today

There’s lots of different spectators at Shrovetide today but Bruce definitely caught our eye!

Find out all about him here:

3.25pm: A brief glimpse of the ball in the hug

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Shrovetide ball this afternoon – but there it is!

It is a fleeting glimpse but good to know we’re on the right track:

3.15pm: Heading back towards the houses

It looks like we could be heading back in the direction of Park Avenue after some intense water play.

Here’s a great photo from our reporting team:

The fields of Ashbourne
The player scrambling across the fields. Photo: Callum Greybanks.

3.10pm: The ball is out of the water and back in the fields

The stalemate in Henmore Brook seems to be over now and we are back on the green

It’s been an action-packed opening to day two of Shrovetide play:

3pm: First hour of play done – and we’ve already made it to the water

So it’s been a hectic first hour of play here at Ashbourne, with the Shrovetide ball quickly moved from the streets to the fields and finally into Henmore Brook.

We’ve seen players scrambling over roofs and clambering over fences but now we’re in a stalemate. Which direction will it head next?

2.50pm: What is it like when Shrovetide players climb over your roof?

It doesn’t happen every day but it might happen once a year if you have a big event like Shrovetide in your town.

This Up’ard didn’t seem phased when, earlier this afternoon, players clambered over her roof looking for the ball.

2.40pm: Here’s what it’s like up and close to the Shrovetide ball

As we continue to follow the ball through the fields, here’s a quick insight into what it’s like to close to the hug.

Check out this great video by Freddie Auston:

2.30pm: We make our way from the residential streets into the fields

It looks like we’ve left the streets of Ashbourne now and heading into the nearby fields, after some serious scrambling in Park Avenue.

Here’s some of the action from that road from StoryHub reporter Vanessa Jackson

2.20pm: Reports the ball is in Park Avenue

Although we seem to have lost the ball, we can definitely see plenty of action

Here’s what our reporters found on Park Avenue:

2.10pm: A break away from the fence but this is what it was like moments ago

So it was all pretty tense against the fence near the Shawcroft car park, as the video below shows, a few moments ago.

But it looks like the ball is lost again now after a sudden break in play:

2.05pm: Early scrambling sees the Shrovetide ball stuck against the fence

We’ve not really left the area yet as the ball gets stuck against the nearby fencing after the turn-up.

Could we be in for another spell of street play for the next few hours?

2pm: And we’re off!

The turn-up of the ball is complete and we are under way for day two of Shrovetide.

Let’s see what happens today:

1.50pm: Everyone now starting to arrive in Shawcroft car park

With 10 minutes to go, the centre of Ashbourne is starting to fill up as everyone makes their way to the plinth where the turn-up of the ball will take place.

Here’s what our StoryHub reporters can see:

1.40pm: Twenty minutes to go…

Not long now until day two of Shrovetide 2025 gets under way!

Our reporter Joe Mathieson took this photo a short time ago, when it was definitely the calm before the storm in Shawcroft car park, where the ball will be turned-up shortly.

Pictured is the Shawcroft car park in Ashbourne.
The crowds will soon flock to Shawcroft car park for today’s Shrovetide event. Photo: Joe Mathieson

1.30pm: Our reporters catch up with Down’ard player Jimmy Carter

After an exciting first day for the Down’ards, where they took a 1-0 lead, their players are feeling pretty confident.

Here’s the thoughts of one of the Down’ards, Jimmy Carter, after his friend Martyn Taylor scored yesterday.

1.15pm: Less than an hour to go before the turn-up of the ball

It won’t be long now before we are in the thick of the action once more.

Businesses in Ashbourne remained boarded up today, with the streets likely to be packed.

Business in Ashbourne boarded up
It’s better to be safe than sorry when Shrovetide comes to town, with shops boarded up for protection. Photo: Reuben Clarke.

12.40pm: Let’s learn more about today’s Shrovetide ball

Yesterday, our reporters Matt Slinn and Alex Coutts caught up with Tim Baker, who is responsible for painting today’s Shrovetide ball.

You can read a great feature all about Tim written by Damion Arnold on our StoryHub website. 

Here’s what Tim had to say yesterday:

12.20pm: Meet the unsung heroes of Shrovetide

Our StoryHub reporter Alex Canner has been speaking to Carl and Tony, from Derbyshire Dales District Council. Overnight, they have been involved with the clean-up of Ashbourne, ready for day two.

Carl said: “We started at 4.30am and this was far more that we’re used to clearing up.”

Tony added: “This is just the start of it, we’ve been told that yesterday was just a showcase, people stay out longer when the weather is great.”

Day two of play starts today at 2pm with the turn-up of the ball at Shawcroft car park.

This image shows some of the clean-up operation in Ashbourne during Shrovetide, with Carl and Tony from Derbyshire Dales District Council
Meet Carl, left, and Tony, who are part of the clean-up operation. Photo: Alex Canner

11.45am: Ashbourne raring to go once more for a second day of Shrovetide

Our reporting team are already out this morning and confirm the town has been beautifully cleaned up after the first day of action.

That is, of course, except for the odd pair of discarded shoes…

Pictured is a pair of discarded shoes at Ashbourne
There always seems to be a pair of discarded shoes at Shrovetide. Photo: Carly Baldwin.

11.15am: Welcome to day two of our Shrovetide coverage

That’s right, we’re back once again for day two of the annual Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide match.

Yesterday, the Down’ards took a 1-0 lead after many hours of intense play which saw them take the advantage before the 10pm cut-off.

Will we see a goal today? Our team of StoryHub reporters are in Ashbourne today to keep you fully informed of developments as and when they happen!

9.45pm: That concludes day one of Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide

And that’s a wrap for the first day of Shrovetide 2025, which saw our StoryHub reporting team pound the streets of Ashbourne to provide you with live updates of all the action.

We hope you’ll join us tomorrow for more coverage on day two!

9.30pm: Everyone enters the Greenman pub

It will now be time to confirm that the Down’ards did indeed goal the ball and that they take a 1-0 lead into day two of Shrovetide tomorrow.

It will also mean play has concluded for the day – with the ball being turned-up again only if it is goaled before 6pm.

9.15pm: The ball arrives back in Ashbourne town centre

There are cheers along St John Street as the Down’ards make their way back into Ashbourne with the ball.

Check out this great footage from our reporter Beth Harrison:

9.05pm: And there’s the ball itself!

In this clip from our StoryHub reporter Beth Harrison, you can see the ball being carried back into Ashbourne town centre.

It won’t be long now before the ceremony to confirm the goal:

8.55pm: Here’s the moment the ball was goaled at Clifton

Footage captured by our reporter Alex Canner shows the crowd going wild as the ball was goaled by the Down’ards.

Take a look here:

8.25pm: Down’ards have goaled the ball – and lead 1-0 at the end of day one

Early reports suggest the goal scorer was Martyn Taylor.

Our reporting team have arrived at Clifton to get the latest and all the reaction.

8.20pm: Reports that the Down’ards have goaled the ball

We’re getting reports now that the Down’ards have goaled the ball at Clifton.

We’ll post further updates as soon as we know more.

8pm: Our reporting team are heading over to Clifton

It looks like all eyes are on Clifton with the possibility of a Down’ards goal being imminent.

We’ll keep you posted with the latest developments…

7.35pm: What happens if the ball goes missing?

The rules of the Shrovetide event state that, if the ball goes missing for more than two hours, it is declared null and void.

Our reporting team have made their way to the Sturston goal to find out what the latest is.

7.25pm: Why covering Shrovetide is such an important experience for our students

Every year, the University of Derby’s Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism students attend Shrovetide as part of our StoryHub reporting team.

It not only gives them an opportunity to practise their journalism skills but also to provide coverage for a variety of different media outlets.

And they really seem to get a lot out of the experience:

7.10pm: And the wait for news of the ball goes on…

It’s now been five hours since the turn-up of the ball in Shawcroft car park and, after a bout of street play followed by action in the water, we find ourselves with a missing ball.

It was around 5.40pm when the ball went missing in Church Street and there’s been no news of it since.

Our reporting team remain in Ashbourne tonight trying to get news about where the ball might have gone – but, if someone is hiding it, it may be a little while before we get any news…

6.50pm: Where could the ball be hiding?

It’s been over an hour now since the ball went missing – and we’ve heard all sorts of different rumours in that time.

Initially reports suggested the ball was on its way to Sturston but, more recently, we’ve heard it could be heading towards Clifton.

Our reporting team continue to hunt for the ball and we will keep you posted!

6.30pm: Darkness descends on Ashbourne as the hunt for the ball continues

It’s clear there’s plenty of confusion in the town right now since the ball has gone missing.

Some people have gathered back in the centre of town to wait for news.

Darkness is falling in Ashbourne on the evening of day one of Shrovetide. Photo: Jack Bryan
Darkness is falling in Ashbourne on the evening of day one of Shrovetide. Photo: Jack Bryan

6.20pm: The ball has been missing for about half an hour now

It’s been very quiet on the update front as we try to work out where the Shrovetide ball has gone, following its disappearance from Church Street.

Rumours are flying around about where it is – and where it will turn up. As soon as we have an update, we’ll let you know!

The sun is setting in Ashbourne on day one of Shrovetide 2025.
The sun is setting in Ashbourne on day one of Shrovetide 2025. Photo: Carly Baldwin

5.55pm: Still no sign of the ball

There’s still no word on where the Shrovetide ball has gone following its disappearance a short time ago.

Our StoryHub reporting team continues to investigate…

5.40pm: Ball disappears after another sudden break in play

We seem to have lost the ball following a sudden break in Church Street – after three-and-a-half hours of play.

Here’s the moment that everyone started running:

5.25pm: And we’re back into town with a break in play

After a spell in the Henmore Brook, we are back in the streets once more and into Church Street.

Here’s a quick clip of some of the movement back into town:

5.15pm: Out of the brook – and then back in again!

Just when we thought everyone was getting out of the water….

According to our StoryHub reporter Phoebe Sheldon, the Shrovetide ball made its way briefly out of the brook – only to end up back in again moments later.

5.05pm: Runners waiting by the Tissington tunnel, just in case

Could we see a break in the play any moment now?

These players are certainly prepared…

Runners get ready by the Tissington tunnel in case there is a break in the play. Photo: Beth Harrison
Runners get ready by the Tissington tunnel in case there is a break in the play. Photo: Beth Harrison

5pm: The ball seems to have finally gone into the water

After a couple of hours of intense street play, we seem to have finally made it into the brook.

Here’s some footage of the crowd from our reporter Phoebe Sheldon:

4.55pm: Stalemate by the Henmore Brook

It’s been nearly three hours since the Shrovetide ball was turned up at Shawcroft car park in Ashbourne – and we’ve hit yet another stalemate.

After some ferocious play outside Sainsbury’s in Compton Street, we’ve made it off Station Road and into the trees near the brook.

According to our reporter, Phoebe Sheldon, there have been several failed attempts to throw the ball out of this grass area.

Don’t forget, the ball has to be goaled before 6pm for play to start again today.

4.40pm: What a difference 20 minutes makes!

This is now the scene outside Sainsbury’s now. If you check our earlier post, you can see how busy it was when the ball made its way through the supermarket grounds.

We still remain by the Henmore Brook, just off Station Road, at the moment.

Sainsbury's is deserted after being the scene of the Shrovetide action a short time ago. Photo: Harry Cooper-Smith.
Sainsbury’s is deserted after being the scene of the Shrovetide action a short time ago. Photo: Harry Cooper-Smith.

4.35pm: Another great close-up of the ball as it flies by our reporter

Our StoryHub correspondent Phoebe Sheldon not long captured this great shot of the ball flying past her.

Check it out here:

4.30pm: And another sighting of the ball

We seem to be moving away slightly from street play finally now as we hit the two-and-a-half hour window on today’s match.

Here’s some more footage from Ashbourne:

4.25pm: A rare sighting of the ball!

We’ve just seen the ball being thrown out to the crowd – and it is now heading down to the water.

Here’s the latest footage:

4.15pm: The scene outside Sainsbury’s at the moment

It’s pretty packed outside the supermarket at the moment, as the ball seems to have made its way in that direction.

Here’s some photos from our reporter Edward Stratton:

The crowds outside Sainsbury's in Ashbourne.
The crowds outside Sainsbury’s in Ashbourne. Photo: Edward Stratton.
It is very busy in Ashbourne right now. Photo: Edward Stratton.

4.10pm: Stuck outside Sainsbury’s in Compton Street

We seem to have hit another stalemate, this time outside the Sainsbury’s store.

It’s been more than two hours since the match started in the Shawcroft car park – and we don’t seem to have progressed too far since then.

3.55pm: Our reporters are enjoying following the action in Ashbourne

We have a whole team of StoryHub reporters currently following today’s Shrovetide match.

They are all students on our Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism programmes at the University of Derby.

3.40pm: Crowds build up by The Bridge as play makes its way along Dig Street

We’ve now gone past The Bridge in Ashbourne as we continue to follow the play through the streets.

Ashbourne is absolutely packed this afternoon as everyone follows the action…

3.30pm: Sudden break in play with huge surge down Dig Street

We now seem to be back to the Coach and Horses again after some movement away from the junction.

It’s been an hour and a half since play began in Shawcroft car park:

3.25pm: Some more crowd movement in St John Street

We seem to be at a stalemate in the Ashbourne streets at the moment.

Will we have a break in play any time soon?

3.10pm: Action shots from the first hour of play

Our StoryHub reporting team continue to track the ball around the Dig Street area of Ashbourne at the moment.

Here some images in the meantime from the first hour of play:

Players scrambling up high to get a piece of the action at Shrovetide. Photo: Beth Harrison.
Players scrambling up high to get a piece of the action at Shrovetide. Photo: Beth Harrison.
Some players started gearing up in case the ball made its way to the water. Photo: Phoebe Sheldon.
Some players started gearing up in case the ball made its way to the water. Photo: Phoebe Sheldon.
This image shows some players in the water by The Bridge in Ashbourne.
Some players started gearing up in case the ball made its way to the water. Photo: Phoebe Sheldon.

3pm: Running along Dig Street with a slight break in play

There was a brief moment of action there as the ball crossed over a wall at the back of Subway and made its way onto Church Street, according to our reporting team.

Lots of people still in Dig Street and the ball has disappeared for now.

2.55pm: Nearly got a glimpse of the ball!

Our reporting team keep getting close to the action but we haven’t quite seen the ball yet. It’s clear there’s a fantastic atmosphere in Ashbourne at the moment as everyone waits for a break in the play.

We’re currently still in Dig Street at the moment:

2.50pm: Scrambling continues in the streets as the first hour of play continues

It’s been a fairly steady start to Shrovetide 2025 as play makes it way into Dig Street, near the Coach and Horses pub.

Here’s some of the early scrambling for the ball we have been seeing in these past 50 minutes:

2.35pm: Not many glimpses of the ball so far

The street play continues as our StoryHub reporting team continue to track the ball.

We are currently near the Co-op, not far from Shawcroft car park, so we have not moved too far at all by the looks of things.

2.20pm: Play heads into the street in the first 20 minutes

It looks like we are experiencing some street play at the moment, with the ball heading towards Clifton.

It looks like we are travelling towards the Market Place.

2.05pm: Here’s the moment the ball was turned-up at Shrovetide 2025

Check out the moment that action got under way in Ashbourne.

Here’s some footage from our StoryHub reporter Phoebe Sheldon:

2pm: Play is under way in Ashbourne!

And we’re off – the annual Shrovetide match in Ashbourne has begun.

We’ll be keeping you posted with all the action in our live blog throughout the day.

1.55pm: Shawcroft car park is now packed ready for the start

We are five minutes away from the start of this year’s Shrovetide event.

Are you excited? It looks everyone piling into Shawcroft car park is…

This image shows Shawcroft car park packed for the start of Shrovetide.
We are nearly under way at Shawcroft car park, which is packed for the start of Shrovetide 2025. Photo: Phoebe Sheldon.

1.40pm: Crowds now starting to build in Ashbourne

People are heading in the direction of Shawcroft car park, and the crowd is now starting to build.

Here’s some of the latest footage from our StoryHub reporting team:

1.20pm: Forty minutes to go until play begins…

It’s definitely the calm before the storm in Shawcroft car park at the moment.

It’s quiet now but it won’t be long before it is packed, as everyone gets ready for the turn-up of the ball at 2pm.

This is an image of Shawcroft car park looking quite empty ahead of Shrovetide 2025.
It won’t be long before Shawcroft car park is filled with people. Photo: Jacob Schofield.

12.55pm: What’s your prediction for this year’s match?

So, do you think we will have an Up’ard or a Down’ard victory this year?

In the 2024 edition of Shrovetide, it was the Up’ards who were victorious – winning 2-0 after two dramatic days of play.

Day one saw stop-start play throughout the afternoon and early evening but the Up’ards ultimately took the lead with a goal thanks to Will Nash in the final hour of play – to make it 1-0 going into the second day.

In a dramatic twist on day two, the ball disappeared for almost an hour in the early evening before turning up at the Sturston goal, where it was goaled by Steve Maznenko.

Read all about what happened in last year’s match here. 

An image of the Up'ards in Ashbourne
The Up’ards celebrated after a 2-0 victory at Shrovetide 2024 in Ashbourne. Photo: Beth Harrison

12.30pm: Meet the man responsible for painting one of this year’s Shrovetide balls

Our StoryHub reporter Damion Arnold has put together a fantastic feature after speaking to Tim Baker, of Ashbourne, who has designed and painted one of the balls for the 2025 event.

You can read all about it here in our StoryHub article.

This image shows Tim Baker with the ball he designed for Shrovetide 2025
Tim Baker and the ball he designed for this year’s Shrovetide. Photo: Tim Baker

12:05pm: Less than two hours to go until the turn-up of the ball

We’re drawing ever closer to proceedings commencing in Ashbourne this afternoon, with the turn-up of the ball at 2pm signifying the start of Shrovetide 2025.

Ashbourne is slowly starting to get busier – with thousands of people expected to descend on the town over the next two days. Here’s the current view from Ashbourne’s Compton Social Club, where some of our reporting team will be based:

This image shows the view from Compton Social Club in Ashbourne, where people are gathered outside getting ready for Shrovetide to begin
The current view from Compton Social Club, in Ashbourne, as the town gets ready for Shrovetide to begin. Photo: Carly Baldwin

11.50am: Former Derby journalism student covering event for Derbyshire Live

Our StoryHub reporting team is very pleased to see former University of Derby journalism student Oscar Fisher covering this year’s Shrovetide event for local media outlet Derbyshire Live.

You can see their coverage in the X post below – and be sure to check out Oscar’s live commentary via Facebook Live on the Derbyshire Live Facebook page later on today:

11.15am: The weather looks lovely in Ashbourne at the moment

It seems to be blue skies over the town at the moment as everyone starts to gear up for the annual Royal Shrovetide event.

Play will commence from the Shawcroft car park and specifically from this plinth, where the ball will be turned-up at 2pm. By then, this whole area will be filled with spectators.

This image shows the plinth in Shawcroft car park in Ashbourne.
The plinth is where the Shrovetide action will commence later today. Photo: Carly Baldwin

10.55am: Welcome to our Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide live updates

Good morning everyone and welcome to our updates from Ashbourne, as we bring you all the coverage from the annual Royal Shrovetide football match.

Students from the University of Derby Journalism, Specialist Sports Journalism and Football Journalism programmes will be in the town over the next two days providing all the latest news and reaction from the event for the StoryHub website.

So stay tuned for our updates throughout the day!

The plinth at Shrovetide right before the ball is turned up
Thousands of people attended Shrovetide 2024. Photo: Cariss Raybone
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