Ryan Bird Archives - Matt Bristow

The 2017-2018 Football Season, a Retrospective of Sorts

Posted on May 16, 2018 by mattbristow

2017-2018 Football Season

As the 2017-2018 Football Season draws to a close with the FA cup Final to be played this coming Saturday, apparently there is a wedding on the same day as well but I don’t know much about that! I thought it might be an opportune time to take a quick look back on a few of my favourites from the 2017-2018 Football Season. A season I might add that I found myself covering on average a game a week. I know this doesn’t actually sound a lot but I also work as a Commercial, Editorial, PR and Press photographer.

So in 8 months the tally is roughly 19 grounds, 54 teams that included everything from a full international friendly all the way down to step 6 and I absolutely loved it! At this point I should thank both Pro Sport Images and The Non league Paper as well as a load of other publications that continued to commission me to head out and work.

Football is such an ethereal thing; filled with passion and commitment. What follows is a selection of my work I personally like. As an aside about 80% of is published.

So I think I’ll divide this into three: Celebrations – The photographers holy grail, Action – in the game it happens and Passion – whats behind the game.

Celebrations – The photographers holy grail

There are is a moment in football that overcomes all else for a photographer, that of the celebration. The moment where everything pales into insignificance. Yes the goal is good and if I’m honest normally happens behind a load of players from where I am sitting. There is something magical about that moment after the goal, the celebration moment when I sometimes think I can see the real player. The elation and sometimes the relief!

NOVEMBER 4, 2017: Folkestone Invicta against Dorking Wanderers in Bostik League Premier Division. Where the home side ran out 3 to 1 winners. Fullicks Stadium, England.Folkestones Ade Yusuff celebrates after putting the home side 3 to 1 up from his penalty in the 90th minute.

: Dover’s defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Dover’s forward Ryan Bird celebrate Dover’s forward Ryan Bird scoring his second and Dovers forth goal during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Hartlepool United at the Crabble Stadium, Kent, England on 9 December 2017.

: Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates the first of his brace against Nigeria on 27 March 2018.

: Dover Athletics defender Connor Essam celebrates scoring Dover’s second goal in the second half.

: Tranmeres forward Andrew Mangan during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent on 24 January 2018.

: Bradford’s Charlie Wyke celebrates scoring from the spot against Southend on 9 December 2017.

Its cool isn’t it? However take it from me its the hardest thing to take a photograph of in the game!

Action – in the game, as it happens

Probably the bit that is easiest or is it? many years ago I always remember being told that if its action and the ball isn’t in the frame then don’t bother sending it. Its a mantra I have followed since as everything else can be changed, straightened, made darker\lighter. Sometimes though it doesn’t matter.

Third from top Dover Athletic against second from bottom Solihull Moors in Conference Premier at Crabble Stadium in Dover, England. Dover ran out winners by a goal to nothing. Dover’s defender Manny Parry puts Solihulls goal keeper Nathan Vaughan under pressure.

I always find looking at players faces during the action is where the true emotion comes out

: Blackpool attack the Charlton goal

: Beaconsfield Town FC and Hayes and Yeading United at Holloways Park Beaconsfield on 21 April 2018.

: Blackpools Sessi D’Almeida is taken down

: Dover’s defender Manny Parry controls the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Leyton Orient and Dover Athletic at the Matchroom Stadium, London, England on 18 November 2017.

: Braintrees Reece Grant had alot to celebrate as he bagged himself a brace against Gloucester City

: Wigan’s midfielder Sam Sayed Morsy pulls the visitors level in the 81st minutes during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Gillingham and Wigan Athletic at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, England on 17 October 2017.

: Top of the table Dover Athletic FC host eighth place Boreham Wood FC in Conference Premier at Crabble Stadium in Dover, England. The visitors, Boreham Wood ran out winners a goal to nothing. Dover’s forward Jamie Allen battles to keep Boreham Wood’s Tom Champion away from the ball.

: Whitstable Town Football Club, Belmont Road, Whitstable. Whitstable Town v Croydon in FA Cup.

: Barnet’s midfielder Jamal Campbell-Ryce is sent flying by Crawley’s midfielder Jimmy Smith during the EFL Sky Bet League 2 match between Crawley Town and Barnet at the Checkatrade.com Stadium, Crawley, England on 13 January 2018.

: Oxford’s forward Wes Thomas tries to get a toe to the ball ahead of Charlton Athletics midfielder Johnnie Jackson during the EFL Trophy 3rd round match between Charlton Athletic and Oxford United at The Valley, London, England on 9 January 2018.

: Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey rushes to the ball ahead of Tranmeres defender Adam Buxton and Tranmeres midfielder Larnell Cole during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Tranmere Rovers at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 17 April 2018.

Passion – whats behind the game

Its always hard to force yourself to see the game from a slightly different angle, but when you do the rewards are nearly always better than the action itself.

Dover’s Manager Chris Kinnear

Managers and fans a like its about the passion!

: Fans during the EFL Sky Bet League 2 match between Crawley Town and Barnet at the Checkatrade.com Stadium, Crawley, England on 13 January 2018.

: During the match between Beaconsfield Town FC and Hayes and Yeading United at Holloways Park Beaconsfield on 21 April 2018.

: Leyton Orient’s manager Justin Edinburgh looks on as his side win a thilling 7 goal cup tie during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018.

So when all is said and told do I have a favourite? not really. But, then again a huge amount of my time was spent getting wet and cold covering Dover Athletic and truth be told I have become a fan! So my favourite picture from the past season has to be this one. For me it sums up their season, an inexperienced team thrown together and very nearly did the unthinkable.

Dover’s midfielder Nortei Nortey celebrates scoring Dovers first goal late in the first half during the Vanorama National League match between Leyton Orient and Dover Athletic at the Matchroom Stadium, London, England on 18 November 2017

So whatever happens during the impending FA Cup final and the much talked about World Cup 2018 in Russia I will be chomping at the bit to get going again for the new season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Sutton United – 10/02/2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Sutton United. I am fast coming to the conclusion that football has to be played in the rain! I think its about 6 straight weeks now and I’d be lost without my ThinkTank Hydraphobias

Dovers Ryan Bird cannot believe his luck as he narrowly misses scoring

So torrential rain and a game that was too close to call what was not to like! Sadly it wasn’t to be Dovers day as Sutton ran out winners by a single goal. Despite being reduced to 10 men and surviving a barrage of pressure from Dover during the closing minutes the equaliser remaind elusive. The frustrastion on the Dover players faces is clear to see.

: Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock jumps over a challenge from Sutton’s midfielder Nicky Bailey.

: Dover’s defender Manny Parry rises to a crossed ball during.

: Sutton’s midfielder Kieron Cadogan fires home the only goal of the game.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi and Sutton’s midfielder Tom Bolarinwa.

: Dover’s forward Kane Richards stretches to control the ball.

: Dover’s forward Ryan Bird shot is deflected away from the Sutton goal.

There is a full gallery from the game here

Dover Athletic v Leyton Orient in the FA Trophy – 03/02/2018

Posted on February 3, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Leyton Orient in the FA Trophy. Possibly the first time the two sides have met at Crabble, happy to be corrected on that one. It was a thrilling 7 goal thriller which the visitors ran out winners with a stoppage time winning goal. One of those days where your just at the wrong end!

Leyton Orient’s defender George Elokobi celebrates after scoring the O’s first goal during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018.

There was a moment when it appeared that Dover were on the verge of an epic comeback. They came back from 3 goals down to level the score. But alas it wasn’t to be.

Team mates flock to Dover’s forward Ryan Bird to celebrate his goal during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

Here are a few of my favorites from the game. There is a full gallery here and as usual there will be pictures in The Non-League Football Paper

: Scenes of joy on the Orient bench at the final whistle during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s defender Josh Coulson rushes to keep the ball away from Dover’s forward Ryan Bird during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Dover’s manager Chris Kinnear watches his side loose in a thrilling 4-3 during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s manager Justin Edinburgh looks on as his side win a thilling 7 goal cup tie during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s keeper Dean Brill comes to colect the ball to deny Dover’s forward Ryan Bird during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s forward Matt Harrold wins the ball over team mate Leyton Orient’s defender Josh Coulson and Dover’s defender Manny Parry during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.