A GASH OF GENIUS BROUGHT THE RAIN

WHEN I first saw the My Favourite Non-League Picture feature in The NLP, I began to think about a standout image from the many thousands I have taken in NonLeague football over the years.

I can tell you, there were many contenders in terms with the images featuring a variety of highs and lows – either on the field or on the terraces.

Grimsby Town supporters waving inflatable fish to open the 2015-2016 season particularly stands out, as does the cover image of Leyton Orient fans celebrating winning their place at Wembley in the FA Trophy at AFC Telford United last March, and Maidstone United’s famous FA Cup win at Cheltenham Town.

I’ve also got plenty of Kettering Town securing promotion at Halesowen last season, as well as images from my more frequent jaunts around Step 5 scene, with a record crowd of 2,000 witnessing Sporting Khalsa’s famous FA Cup run coming to an end against FC United one of the many highlights.

One image, however, stood out above the rest. This takes us back to October 19, 2013 when Kidderminster Harriers hosted Lincoln City in the Football Conference at Aggborough.

Weather wise, it was a game of two halves with a relatively mundane October afternoon turning into monsoon season after the break.

By that time, the image used in the following day’s paper was already in the bag. It came as a result of the opening goal of the game, shortly before half time when Michael Gash, who had come on as a substitute, lashed in a free-kick from a full 25 yards out.

Normally, if you see a wide angle shot from behind the goal of this nature then, the chances are, it was taken using a remote camera set up. But, on this occasion, I was hand holding the camera having made the dash behind the goal when the freekick was awarded.

Context

It captures one of those split-second moments that shows both anticipation and despair as the ball heads towards the top corner with players from both sides looking on and the keeper looking back knowing exactly where that ball is going. I love shots that show some context as well as just action.

The shot would have looked very different, however, if it had have been taken once the heavy rain started to fall – which brings me to the other part of the story as to why this image is so memorable.

With the rain pouring down during the interval and this goal image ready to go, I decided to sit on the halfway line for the second half, giving me the best opportunity to dive for cover if the rain became too much, whilst also giving me scope for grabbing goalmouth action at either end as the story unfolds.

Many people around the Non-League scene in the Midlands will be aware of my ability to attract rainfall when out covering matches yet, even by my standards, this was well past the ‘wetter than an otter’s pocket’ stage!

Soaked through, switching between cameras and with my glasses now battling the elements, it was almost dark at one point when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a hand placing down two cups next to me. “I didn’t know what you wanted but I thought you deserved a drink so I got you a soup and a tea,” were the words I heard as some kind soul took pity on me sat in the mud.

Memorable

The person delivering those drinks disappeared back into the stand before I could see who it was and so, to this day, I have never had the chance to thank them.

I never go to games expecting to be catered for, but there are many clubs who are incredibly hospitable and bend over backwards to make you feel welcome. This gesture, however, knocked me sideways as it was totally out of the blue and, to this day, I still don’t know who it was from. Today, however, I thank that Kidderminster Harriers fan who made one of my wettest NLP assignments also one of my most memorable.

For the record, Harriers went on to win the game 4-1 so, in hindsight, I could have sat in the stand in the dry when the rain came, after all!