Shrovetide painter whose work is fit for a King
Tim Baker recalls the moment that he presented the future King with the Royal Shrovetide football that he had painstakingly painted.
It was 2003, and King Charles III, who was Prince of Wales at the time, was starting the game or "turning the ball up", and like all those who are given this honour, the ball had been carefully painted with images that represented his life.
Mr Baker, 52, had been painting balls for the game since 1991 when he was asked by the game's secretary - who was also his milkman - to paint one for the future King.
The Royal Shrovetide Football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, is traditionally played on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and has been held nearly every year since at least 1667.
The game sees thousands of players - in teams called the Up'Ards and Down'Ards - compete to move the ball to opposite ends of the town.
Normally, Mr Baker said he would meet up for a chat with the person due to "turn the ball up" - but this was not possible with a senior member of the Royal Family - so he submitted drawings that were given the go-ahead.
"The current King is an accomplished artist, and one thing he asked was how we painted on a sphere," Mr Baker explained.
To begin with, he starts by measuring the ball, which is bigger than a normal football and heavier because it is filled with cork chippings.
Buildings are particularly tricky to paint on a round surface, and everything needs to line up because the balls are hung up on display.
Royal Shrovetide is played over two days, and Mr Baker always paints the Wednesday ball - and this year it is for the farmer Brian Pegg and features a bull's head and a horse.
He said that some of the fine detailing can cause a headache, and each ball involves at least 50 hours of work. Within two hours of play, all this paintwork is gone.
"It's awful," he added. "People will grab me by the collar or give me a nudge to say 'your paint has come off quick this year'.
"They'll tell you that, but there is nothing you can do."
Mr Baker said that he was not "player material" and had never played, but he was a fan who loved the history of game.
He works at the Historical Centre in Ashbourne, where Royal Shrovetide Football features heavily.
One of the repainted balls on display is one that was scored, or "goaled", in 1902, the year King Edward VII was crowned.
It is particularly special to Mr Baker because it was goaled by Joseph Burton his great-great-great-uncle.
He is much more relaxed about it all compared to when he was first asked to take on this role.
"I was extremely nervous to start with, because it is such an iconic item in Ashbourne," he added.
"I was not very old, and I had never done anything like this before. I also knew what I was up against because being a fan of Shrovetide, it was important to get it right."
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Work to pause for ancient ball game to take place
Clean-up begins after Royal Shrovetide Football
Up'Ards claim Shrovetide football glory
Watch: Ball 'goaled' at ancient Shrovetide football game
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USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
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USA Today
08-08-2025
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Six things I learned from Ian Baker-Finch's new biography
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USA Today
03-08-2025
- USA Today
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Baker-Finch had dabbled in TV the year before while nursing injuries back home in Australia and served as the lead analyst for all four networks in his native land during the summer portion of the schedule as well contributing to the Open Championship for ABC. Its producer at the time, Jack Graham, called him and said, 'I know you would love to get back to playing but if you don't, you've got a job with us.' As a broadcaster, he was a gifted storyteller and determined to follow the principles of 'less is more.' He made a point to glean fresh information from players. 'There was always a warmth quotient,' said CBS's play-by-play commentator Jim Nantz. 'Everyone loves Ian. His genuine kindness always shone through.' 'Everything Finchy said had meaning and purpose,' said CBS executive producer of golf Sellers Shy. 'As our mate steps away, he leaves 19 memorable years at CBS Sports defined by integrity, excellence and kindness. Retirement is a fitting reward for someone who gave so much to the game – and to all of us.' Calling the fifth Green Jacket for Tiger Woods in 2019 and Rory McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam are among the highlights of his broadcasting career. When Adam Scott became the first Australian golfer to don the Green Jacket, Nantz threw the called to Baker-Finch, Scott's fellow Queenslander, who famously said, 'From Down Under to on top of the world, Jim.' Baker-Finch turns 65 in October, and his latest contract was set to expire. His desire to do the preparation required to broadcast at the highest level 23 weeks a year had waned. 'I don't ever want to get to the point where the producer and the team have to sort of legacy protect, if you will. I'm not there yet, but at nearly 65 you start feeling that way,' he said. 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'It's never been about me. I'm sort of uncomfortable when something's about me. The love and support I've received since I went public with my retirement has been overwhelming. I do think there may be some on social media that'll say good riddance, we didn't like the accent, or we didn't like him or he was never tough enough on the players but that doesn't worry me. I think the majority will say, 'Hey, he did a good job. He loved the game. We'll miss him.' "
