Save that snap: ex-ni keeper on hunt for photos of him in action
A FORMER Northern Ireland international goalkeeper is asking for the public’s help to track down a photograph of him in action during the 1990s.
Paul Kee (50) — who was capped by the national team nine times over four years — made the plea after discovering that he could not find a single recorded image of his time between the posts during crucial World Cup and European Championship qualifying fixtures.
Paul had spells for various clubs across the British Isles — including a stint at Oxford United in England, alongside appearances here at Ards, Bangor and Crusaders — before his retirement from playing in 2003.
Paul is hunting for the photos for a new commemorative item due to be put together by amateur side Dundonald FC to honour their former alumni who won nine Northern Ireland caps.
He is hoping someone who was at Windsor Park or following the team across Europe will uncover the in-demand image.
“The manager of Dundonald
FC, James Dickson, contacted me to say there was a local artist John Campbell who was looking to do a commemorative photo piece, get it framed and then auction it off for the club,” he explained.
“They had a photograph of Noel Brotherston and Glenn Ferguson playing for Northern Ireland, but there isn’t one of myself in an action shot.
“I played seven games in a row during that time and then I was out of the squad for a while. Then I came back home and was playing for Ards. I had a few injuries and then I ended up playing another two games after that.
“I’ve no actual shots of me on my own for those matches.
There are a couple of team photos around and that’s it. I have looked about and even searched on different sites online, but I can’t seem to get any.”
While modern day international matches are beamed across the world with endless images available on demand, Paul admitted it showed the stark “change in the times” between the current football landscape in the digital age compared to back in his day.
“Now you only have to click your fingers and you can get as many photos as you want,” he added.
“Then it was different, there were far less cameras around during the matches. I have actually spoken to a few of the photographers who used to do photos around the time, but even they didn’t have any.
“It’s really mad that there isn’t any about, especially when you look back and there are photos of other players from those years. It is just strange.
“I wouldn’t say I was particularly disappointed to be fair. I’m not one really for photographs personally, but it was just whenever the artist wanted a photograph and now we can’t find one, that’s when I just started thinking.”
Describing his time playing for Northern Ireland and representing the country on the world stage as “every boy’s dream”, Paul explained he only has fantastic memories of playing against the likes of Norway, Yugoslavia and the Republic of Ireland.
“You would think with the likes of matches against Norway, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland at home there would be more photos knocking about,” he said.
“I joke that the reason why they can’t get an action shot of me is because my positioning was so good and I never had to do any diving. That’s what I’m saying anyway.”
Anyone who manages to uncover any photographs they may have of Paul in action during a match should contact Dundonald FC.