Uncategorized Archives - Matt Bristow

Dover Athletic – Zeros to Heros

Posted on December 9, 2018 by mattbristow

Zeros to Heros. It wasn’t that long ago that hope was something Dover Athletic simply didn’t have. However, second from bottom Dover Athletic faced high flying sixth placed AFC Flyde. Surely it was too much to ask for the Whites to continue their winning streak? Thing is someone forgot to tell Andy Hessenthalers men what the script was! Both sides had exactly the same form heading into the game D, W, W, L, L.Despite going a goal down in the first half and a stream of questionable refereeing decisions.

Here are just a few of my favorites from the game. There is a larger gallery here. All are available for licenced useage get in contact with me to find out more.

Dover’s forward Alfie Pavey and defender Kevin Lokko experience the Flyde bundle.
Dover’s forward Jamie Allen is sent crashing to the ground by AFC Fylde’s defender Zaine Francis-Angol.
Dover’s midfielder Bobby-Joe Taylor shoots at goal.
AFC Fylde’s keeper Jay Lynch hooks the ball away from Dover’s forward Jamie Allen.
Dover’s forward Alfie Pavey showed some real emotion.
Man of the match Dover’s midfielder Bobby-Joe Taylor.
Dover’s defender Kevin Lokko finds it tought in the AFC Flyde box.
Action during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and AFC Flyde at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 08 December 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.
Dover’s defender Josh Passley wrong foots AFC Fylde’s midfielder Jim Kellermann during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and AFC Flyde at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 08 December 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.
AFC Fylde’s defender Jordan Tunnicliffe tries to hold back Dover’s forward Inih Effiong during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and AFC Flyde at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 08 December 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.
during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and AFC Flyde at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 08 December 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.
Dover’s midfielder Bedsenté Gomis takes on AFC Fylde’s forward Daniel Philliskirk.
AFC Fylde’s defender Neill Byrne acrobatically clears the ball.
AFC Fylde’s midfielder Jim Kellermann and Dover’s midfielder Jai Reason both clash over the ball.
Dover’s keeper Mitch Walker and Dover’s forward Inih Effiong clear the ball.
Dover’s forward Inih Effiong and AFC Fylde’s defender Neill Byrne both chase the ball.

Must say the team spirit is evident and to come back to win a goal down and with only 10 men on the pitch made for one of the best games played at Crabble in recent years. Alfie Pavey certainly made a biog impact from the moment he came on a sub, infact he assisted both goals! big things to come from him.

Safe to say that the #hessexpress has moved away from the station and is gathering momentum. It was great to hear the fans singing ‘We are Staying up’

Dover Athletic v Torquay United – 07/04/2018

Posted on April 8, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Torquay United. As the season gets to the sharp end and play-off places are hard fought for. It made a change to actually have sunshine. I know as a sports photographer moaning comes with the job but still I thought I was about to start to rust. The game itself was a meeting of teams at both ends of the league and neither team wanted to take any risks. Here are a few of my favorites. There is a full gallery here.

I give you the footballer totam pole! Although nobody seems particularly happy!

Dover’s forward Ryan Bird rises above Torquay’s defender Sean McGinty and team mate Giancarlo Gallifuoco

: Torquay’s defender Joshua Gowling pushes Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey off the ball to concede a free kick.

: Dover’s midfielder Nortei Nortey rushes to congratulate Dover’s forward Ryan Bird on his goal.

: Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey and Torquay’s defender Conrad Balatoni collide in the air.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi intercepts a Torquay pass.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi is sent crashing to the ground after a challenge from Torquay’s forward Elliott Romain.

Lastly for now a shot of Mitch Walker that illustrates his commitment putting his well being on the line. This really brought tears to my eyes!

Dover’s keeper Mitch Walker bravely saves an effort by Torquays Brett Williams.

Dover Athletic V Wrexham FC – 12th August 2017

Posted on August 12, 2017 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic V Wrexham FC and whites get back to winning ways and climb up the table and sit in joint forth place. Early days yet but an encouraging team performance. Here are a few of my favorites from the game. A full gallery can be found here. As usual all usage has to be paid for and self billing applies. Sometimes you sit in just the right spot, sometimes you sit in too much of the right spot! I just about managed to move the camera in time!

AUGUST 12: Dover Athletic against Wrexham in Conference Premier at Crabble Stadium in Dover, England. (Photo by Matt Bristow/mattbristow.net)

: Wrexhams defence is at full stretch as Dover’s forward Ryan Bird sends a diving header on target.

: Wrexham’s defender James Jennings and Wrexham’s midfielder Sam Wedgbury crush Dover’s forward Kane Richards.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi squeezes a cross pass Wrexham’s midfielder Marcus Kelly.

: Dover’s forward Ryan Bird falls over Wrexham’s midfielder Marcus Kelly.

: Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle crosses the ball past Wrexham’s defender Manny Smith.

Rugby World Cup, England 2015

Posted on November 17, 2015 by mattbristow

Rugby World Cup, England 2015 – a retrospective

So Rugby World Cup, England 2015 is all done and dusted, the final whistle has been blown, to the victors the spoils and every other cliché have now (hopefully) been used to death and will never more be seen, heard or read again. Until of course when the next major sporting tournament gets underway and it will all be brought out of storage. Dusted off and regurgitated and made out its a piece or original journalism! But stop there, yes there was some very average reporting, yes the accreditation processes were questionable. But you cannot hide the fact that the press facilities from what I as a sports photographer experienced were absolutely bang on. Plus the fact that the spectator numbers broke every record nearly on a daily basis and sheer enthusiasm was totally unquestionable.

Here are a few of my personal favourites from the three games I covered. The rest of my stuff an be seen over on the SportPix website

The first game I covered was at the Amex Stadium in Brighton. It was to go down in history as the real upset in the Rugby World Cup, England 2015. So to kick off (pun intended) Japan against South Africa. Here is that moment everyone will remember that try right on the final whistle. Yes nearly everyone headed down to the other end in the second half expecting a Spring Bok steam roller to come rolling into town. But, it didn’t and I was at the wrong end! but whats nice about this picture is the fans faces. The guy with the beard holding his head and two people away another Spring Bok jersey wearing supporter actually cheering!

Rugby World Cup, England 2015 - Japan score the final try to notch up an historic victory against South Africa. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and Japan. at Brighton Community Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow | SportPix.org.uk

Japan score the final try to notch up an historic victory against South Africa. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and Japan. at Brighton Community Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: Scenes of utter joy after the game by the Japanese players. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and Japan. at Brighton Community Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and Japan. at Brighton Community Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: South Africas Pat Lambie tries to escape a double tackle. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and Japan. at Brighton Community Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

Next up for me was my first visit to The Stadium. Formally the Olympic Stadium, renamed for no apparent good reason what so ever! This time it was for New Zealand first game against Namibia. I must admit after this game I was in no doubt that the Kiwi’s would win.

Rugby World Cup, England 2015 - The Kiwis didn't have it all their way as New Zealand's Centre Sonny Bill Williams finds out. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

The Kiwis didn’t have it all their way as New Zealand’s Centre Sonny Bill Williams finds out. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: Erm not quite

: Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: New Zealand’s Centre Malakai Fekitoa fumbles the ball mid air. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

: Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

Never ever let it be said that rugby is not a game for total hard men.

Rugby World Cup group game from Pool C between New Zealand and Namibia at Olympic Stadium. (c) Matt Bristow

The last game I covered was South Africa against the USA. The only white wash of the tournament, but lets not mention that! For some reason I stayed at the wrong end for the second half. God knows why! but I did get Bryan Habana celebrating equalising Jonah Lomu’s try total.

Rugby World Cup, England 2015 - South Africas Wing Bryan Habana celebrates scoring and equalising the highest score during a World Cup. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow | SportPix.org.uk

South Africas Wing Bryan Habana celebrates scoring and equalising the highest score during a World Cup. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

: USA’s Wing Zach Test breaks the South African line. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

: South Africas Scrum Half Fourie Du Preez (c) totally focused. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

: South Africas Full Back Willie Le Roux and South Africas Wing Bryan Habana clash on a high ball. Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

: Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

I had to take this which I think captures the national feeling after England crashed out!

Rugby World Cup, England 2015 - Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

Rugby World Cup group game from Pool B between South Africa and USA at The Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (c) Matt Bristow

Fairfield Church, New Romney, Kent

Posted on September 30, 2015 by mattbristow

Fairfield Church, New Romney – 30th September 2015

If your a photographer of any level amateur or a fellow professional when was the last time you took a picture just for the hell of it? with no brief or financial thought about what your pointing your lens at?

I spend my entire working life as a press and PR photographer rushing from A to B, answering various briefs shooting for clients who want me to work for them. If I’m honest I’m not sure when the last time I just shot for my own enjoyment.

Today I found myself down on Romney Marsh with some time to fill and after a quick search on-line I was stood looking across a field looking at the very picturesque Fairfield Church.

Fairfield Church, New Romney – 30th September 2015

Whilst I was there I was lucky enough to bump into a couple that had the key to the door!

Grainy B&W whats not to like?

For some reason I have always found historic churches fascinating so is a small gallery from my quick look around.

: Roof texture

: Roof shapes

: Grainy B&W whats not to like?

: shadow seats

: Fairfield Church, New Romney

: Fairfield Church, New Romney

: Not done any HDR for ages

: Cloudless

: Dried death…..

: They dont make them like they used to!

Think I might sling a tripod in the boot for any future discoveries. Who knows what I might find by not looking!

Tour of Britain 2014 – Stage 8 London

Posted on September 15, 2014 by mattbristow

Tour of Britain 2014 – Stage 8 London. Everything you would ever want in a cycling event Time Trial, Racing and the final champion decided on the line!

The final stage of Tour of Britain 2014 – Stage 8 London. Split into two parts the first an 8km time trial. Riders would set off at regular 1 minute intervals, if they missed it they couldn’t start. The top 10, the last to set off have a 2 minute stagger. All eyes were of course on the British and Olympic Time Trial champion Sir Bradely Wiggins. Was there any doubt that as he romped home a full 8 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Team Sky’s Sir Bradely Wiggins at the start of the Time Trial. On his way to a emphatic victory.

I’d just like to say that Sir ‘Wiggo’ is quite possibly the coolest person in existence, my belief has been furthered enhanced when I saw his support car. Yes it is a Jaguar F-Type R! and the plate is pretty spot on as well.

Team Skys support car is actually a Jaguar F-Type R, more than cool

Time Trial is a weird thing compared to racing. There’s no tactics other than going out fully focused and pushing your physical limits to the extreme.

BMC racings Dylan Teuns from Belgium totally focused at the start of his time trial.

The final part was a 10 lap race over the same course as the time trial so not really a lot of change. There wasn’t a climb and only just about the chance for the final Yodel Sprint category. The surprise Garmin Sharp’s Dylan Van Baarle started with the yellow jersey on his back.

Garmin Sharp’s Dylan Van Baarle on the startline in yellow looking very composed on his way to securing the overall Tour of Britain title.

Team GB young rider Chris Latham worked hard all race in the break away and was for his efforts awarded the Rouleur Combativity Award for the final stage.

Friends Life Tour of Britain Stage 8 London

Team GB’s Chris Latham

You couldn’t have written the ending a photo finish that saw Giant-Shimano’s Marcel Kittel narrowly beat Omega Pharma Quickstep’s Mark Cavendish in a photofinish.

A photo finish which saw Marcel Kittel narrowly beat Mark Cavendish

Full results can be found on the Tour of Britains website and all my full set of pictures ready for licence on the SportPix website. Here is a selection of a few of my favorites.

: Garmin-Shimano rider Marcel Kittel GER

: Team Sky rider Sir Bradley Wiggins during the start of stage 8b. Friends Life Tour of Britain

: Podium fun as Wiggo decides to start the champagne shower early

: YodelDirect Sprint overall leader BMC Racing rider Sebastian Lander.

: Giant Shimano rider Marcel Kittel. Friends Life Tour of Britain 2014. Round 8.

: Team Raleighs Morgan Kneisky FRA. Friends Life Tour of Britain 2014. Round 8.

: Movistars’ Alex Dowsett GBR. Focused at the start of the time trial. Friends Life Tour of Britain 2014. Round 8.

Kent Photographer – 2013 A Retrospective

Posted on December 30, 2013 by mattbristow

As a Kent Photographer, to say planning this post was hard would be an understatement!

Looking through my catalog for 2013 which numbers around 50,000 images all edited! This year I really tried to be harsher and keep less! So what I have decided to do is to select just one image from every month and try and convey the impossible variety of work I do! So here goes. One image from each month, with not much comment…

January

Spent a bit of time this year shooting Premiership football for the guys at SportPix

Jussi Jaaskelainen (22) saves an Arsenal attempt

February

I shot less celebrity stuff this year. However I am still a bit undecided how much I’ll do in 2014.

Stars Denise Van Outen and Sarah Harding. Run For Your Wife Film Premier. Odeon Leicester Square,

March

This years motorsport season was the best yet. It was a conscious effort to focus a little more. The track days are still awesome fun and I’m looking forward to continuing a great relationship in 2014 as the official photographer at Lydden Hill where Willie Woods and his team are really making a gigantic difference.

Lydden Hill | BMCRC Sidecar Testing | 9th March 2013

April

IMG started running the FIA European Rallycross Championship with a restructure to the FIA Rallycross RX and wow! what a difference! Here’s possibly one of my favorite motorsport frames this year. I not only cover the European and British Rallycross Championships doing team media for a lot of drivers but also for www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Still at time of writing this I am trying to sort out plans to cover the newly announced World Rallycross Championship. Fingers crossed.

Kevin Errikson at 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship, Round 1 Rallycross of Great Britain, presented by Monster Energy.

May

I probably shot more gigs this year than before. The head and shoulders most successful frame over everything else I shot is this one of Justin Young, lead singer of The Vaccines. Corbis keep sending me money for this frame, not sure where its being used, but long may it last!

Justin Young. The Vaccines play Margate Winter Gardens, Kent. 01/05/2013

June

Did a few Royal duties this year as well. Even to the point that prince Andrew tried to run me down in a golf cart!

Her Majesty The Queen visiting The Argyll & Sutherlander Highlanders, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, (5 SCOTS) at Howe Barracks, Canterbury on Friday 28th June.

July

Holiday for the first time in years 🙂

August

Every so often I get to go and take pictures of my photographic heroes. I was lucky enough to do an editorial portrait shoot of John Cross who’s legendary images of Koo Stark are well known.

Photographer John Cross, who is exhibiting his work at the Golf Road Centre.

September

One of the few premiers did this year was ‘Diana’ unwittingly capturing David Emanuel as ‘another’ where in a couple of months after this he would be the toast of the UK down to his involvement in I’m a Celebrity!

David Emanuel. World Premier of Diana. Odean, London.

October

Did a wedding for a mate, was a great day more here

November

I shot a ton of sport this year. One of my favorite events was the ATP Finals for obvious reasons.

Barclays ATP World Finals. Group B singles match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Roger Federer returns the ball.

December

This year more then any other I have shoot more regional press and editorial work. Its something I love more than anything else. Don’t get me wrong covering big high profile events or shooting celebrities is great but meeting everyday people who are doing ordinary things but also sometimes some extra-ordinary things is very, very rewarding. By the way I probably have shots of 50+ Santa’s from this year!

Herne Bay town centre, Mortimer Street. Christmas showcase market stalls during day & light switch on.

So that in a very, very small 12 picture nutshell was my year.

New year is a time to reflect and make resolutions. I think if its all the same to you I’ll just keep doing what I do!

However there’s a couple of things I’d like to do more of in 2014 the first just requires me to get out of bed and that shoot more landscapes! The second is that I have realized I haven’t worked with any models during 2013 and that’s something I’d like to do more of in 2014, so if you want to collaborate get in touch!

Happy New year to all friends and clients both new and old here’s to an awesome 2014.