Tranmere Rovers Archives

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

: Blackpools Sessi D’Almeida is taken down

: 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.

: Blackpool attack the Charlton goal

: 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.

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

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

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

: During the match between Beaconsfield Town FC and Hayes and Yeading United at Holloways Park Beaconsfield on 21 April 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 Tranmere Rovers – 17/04/2018

Posted on April 18, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Tranmere Rovers – As the 2018 season draws to its conclusion the games become more and more edgy. Tranmere Rovers are chasing the top spot and Dover Athletic are chasing a place in the newly reorganised play-offs. Unfortunately for the young Dover Athletic side they came up against a very inform experienced Tranmere Rovers side. The visitors ran out winners by a single goal thanks to Tranmere’s Andy Cook.

It was a very physical game, here are a selection of pictures. There is a full gallery that is available for licenced use here.

Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey rushes to the ball ahead of Tranmeres defender Adam Buxton and Tranmeres midfielder Larnell Cole.

For me Anthony Jeffrey was the Dover Man of the match. He has just got better and better over the last few games and is a problem for most teams, too little too late?

: Tranmeres forward Andy Cook celebrates scoring the only goal of the game.

: Tranmeres defender Ritchie Sutton stretches to clear the ball.

: Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey and Tranmeres defender Adam Buxton both rush for the ball.

: Dover’s defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco surges forward while Tranmeres defender Adam Buxton rushes to clear the ball.

: Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle wins the ball in the air.

: Tranmeres keeper Scott Davies and Tranmeres defender Ritchie Sutton clash.

: Tranmeres midfielder Larnell Cole stretches for the ball ahead of Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi.

Oh and did I say it was physical? Kadell Daniel showing what commitment is!

Tranmeres forward Connor Jennings and Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel both go flying.

Maidstone V Tranmere – 24/02/2018

Posted on February 26, 2018 by mattbristow

So this weekends Non league adventure was Maidstone V Tranmere. It was my first visit to The Gallegher Stadium. Possibly the first sunny and dry game I have covered this year! It was a cracking 5 goal game which saw Tranmere come out as late winners. Along with it saw Maidstones unfortunate run of bad form continue.

To quote ‘They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!’ Even the Stones fans were singing ‘how shit are you we are winning at home’ to the away supporters at one point.

Maidstones manager Jay Saunders celebrates after his side goes a goal up during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent on 24 January 2018.

Possibly the shot that for me summed up the whole anguish and heartbreak is this one:

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

As usual there is a full gallery available here but for now here are some of my own favorites from the game.

: Maidstones keeper Lee Worgan tries to clear the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

: Tranmeres forward Connor Jennings is brought down in th earea and is awarded a penalty for the foul during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent.

: Action during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

: Tranmeres midfielder James Norwood makes a break closely followed by Maidstones midfielder Jai Reason during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

: Tranmeres forward Andy Cook celebrates scoring and bringing Tranmere level during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent.