ROSSENDALE VALLEY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB (LIONS, PUMAS & STAGS)

Just prior to lockdown, I’d been asked by a colleague who was also a coach at Rossendale Valley Junior Football Club if I would photograph the RVJFC team his son played for. I went along to a training session and met a few of the childrens parents including Cathy and Ian Cowley - not only is Ian Chairman of the club, he and Cathy have two sons who play in various teams for the club. They asked if I would photograph their sons teams too.

So began a really valued and hugely appreciated friendship with the Cowley family, the players from RVJFC and their parents, and the club coaches Maurice, Ian B, Scott, Rob and my colleague Steven. Not only do I regularly shoot for three of the teams (the mighty Stags, Lions and Pumas), I’ve also become a fan, caught up in the trials and tribulations over the last few years, cheering them on whether I’m present at the matches or not. A nicer, kinder, more generous bunch of children, parents and coaches would be VERY difficult to find.

RIMINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB

In early 2022 I was asked by a friend and East Lancs FA committee member Ken Barker-Graham if I would shoot two Cup Finals for the FA that May. I agreed and with my colleague Jon went along to Padiham FC where both finals were played back to back. In the second of those Finals, Rimington FC overcame Mill Hill FC in a penalty shootout, the game being tied after normal time. As Jon and I chatted to some of the Rimington players following the trophy presentation, I became impressed at how friendly and down to earth they were, even inviting us into the clubhouse to share a celebratory drink or six with them.

Ken later informed me that a number of teams were interested in having a photographer shoot their matches on a regular basis and had enquired about my services. I asked about Rimington and Ken put me in touch with the club so I offered them my services which they said they were happy to use - I would get some much needed match photography practice and the club would hopefully get one or two shots that were moderately in focus! Rimington announced on their social media that Jon and I were now on board as ‘Club Photographers’……though I only had one photograph of Jon to share with the club at that time, which to everyones amusement Jon exclaimed wasn’t his finest look!

As with RVJFC I have become immersed in the clubs fortunes, cheering them on regardless of whether I’m at the match or not. I find myself fretting over team selections and upcoming fixtures, whether the reserves can win their division and the first team win the Cup……..it’s enough to turn a man grey (it’s not grey by the way, it’s sun-bleached blonde!!) They remind me very much of my hometown team Aveley FC which is why I think they’ve really caught my affection. If only we could arrange for the lads to visit Essex for a game at Parkside Stadium………

Seriously though, it’s been an absolute JOY to watch the club this last season and I’m looking forward to many more. Everyone at the club is incredibly friendly, welcoming, encouraging towards my photography and extremely supportive, nothing is ever too much trouble for them. They’ve allowed myself and Dan Hinksman from ‘Rock N Roll Football Shirts’ to use their facilities for private RRFS photoshoots, the Reserves manager James Hartlebury and teenage player Will Nicholls even being kind enough to step in as models at extremely short notice. Massive thank you’s must go to Terry Braithwaite, Graeme Kershaw and Boyd Hargreaves for their massive, MASSIVE support and help for me…..guys, what can I say but “fantastic!”

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS RIMMY!!