Atherstone 2020 Ball Game in pictures: The ball's in your court now

With the 2021 Atherstone Ball Game regrettably but understandably cancelled, we have had a look back at some of the images from last year's event.

This is one of four galleries we will be sharing from the 821st year.

Here are the words written back in 2020 by Nick Hudson:

The waiting over – the battle commences for an age-old right of passage for players of the Atherstone Ball Game.

Since 1199 it's been a free-for-all at the off as 120 minutes of no-holds-barred sporting activity begins.

Who knows how many have taken part or watched over the 821 years since the event started when King Richard the Lionheart reigned.

Esimates would range between 500,000 and one million.