THE DAY I MADE IT STICK IN THE MUD
MARCH 23, 2013 TUNBRIDGE WELLS 2 SHILDON 0 FA Vase Semi Final 1st Leg Attendance: 1,744
WHEN Andy Irvine bagged the first goal for Tunbridge Wells and ran towards where I was sitting, I had no idea that I’d be featuring on The NLP’s front page for my first time.
I wasn’t even commissioned to work for the paper that day – my good friend and fellow photographer Andy Nunn was assigned the task. I’d tagged along as the tie was intriguing and ended up being one of my most favourite games I had snapped.
The Spring of 2013 had barely been noticeable and several weeks of postponements meant this tie was already behind schedule. Despite woeful weather, Wells had asked as many volunteers to help get the pitch playable in the morning. Arguably, it wasn’t. But with bad weather forecast for the foreseeable future and Shildon already travelled down from Sunderland, the game went ahead.
Mudbath
Within half an hour, the pitch was a mudbath. There wasn’t a blade of grass left. From a photographer’s perspective, this makes for wonderful images.
Tunbridge won the game 2-0, and both goals came with the assistance of the pitch. Shildon were on the attack but a crossfield pass stuck fast in the mud and Tunbridge broke, with Irvine scoring and celebrating in my direction.
The second was a penalty when again, the ball stuck fast but the Shildon defender’s leg didn’t and took out the attacking Wells player.
After the game, Andy was so pleased with the images that I had captured, that he suggested to send them into The NLP anyway.
He didn’t mind at all. The next morning, I’d pick up my copy as usual only to be shocked and delighted to see the photo on the front page. Amazing.
I’d get another on the front page the next week too, with Shildon and Tunbridge Wells battling out a classic second leg – going all the way to extra time before Wells grabbed a winner.
Special place
I’ve had the fortune to feature on the front page numerous times since, but the combination of those muddy images coupled with The NLP’s usage means this photo will always hold a special place for me.
Sadly, however, Tunbridge couldn’t go on and cap the season with the FA Vase trophy, going down 2-1 to Spennymoor Town in the final.