Welcome! I’m Phil, a thirty-year-old football fanatic that randomly woke up one morning wanting to go to as many grounds as possible. Was that partially down to my inability to get Liverpool tickets over the past however many years? Probably. Was it an idea that should have come about long before I settled down with a now eight-month-old baby? Definitely. Shit happens though, and here we are.
I’m a proud Yorkshireman in every aspect other than the team I support. Why do I support Liverpool, you ask? Michael Owen, bizarrely. When I watched him bag THAT goal against Argentina in the 98’ World Cup, I was only ever going to support whoever he played for. Thankfully at this point he was playing for Liverpool, not United. As mentioned, tickets have become extremely hard to come by over the past few years. Rewind nearly twenty years – Christ, that makes me feel old – and me and my dad were going to all the big European home nights in the Champions League. As the years went on, we gradually found ourselves slipping into the abys and attending Europa League qualifying games; yes, you have to qualify for that competition, and yes, I’m that loyal (ticket below). Unfortunately, as the club has grown back into a force under Klopp – and now Slot – tickets became like gold dust. It got to a point where I was paying £30 for a yearly membership, just to get a fancy club branded pen and one match ticket a season (if I was lucky). That’s why I have decided to venture out more and go to other stadiums instead; lots of them*. I will of course still avidly support Liverpool, but from the comfort of my sofa.
Not only did I decide I wanted to go see more teams and more stadiums, I also decided I wanted to capture the heart and soul of them whilst there. I’ve always had an interest in photography – I studied it on the side of my main course at college – but I’ve never had enough interest to fully commit. Similarly now, I still didn’t want to commit to spending hundreds on a flash new camera; especially when I’ll be off to football games where I might get knocked about in the crowd. That’s why I opted for a cheap and cheerful point and shoot camera. A camera that I’d cherish but wouldn’t lose sleep over if I left it on my seat in the stadium or had it smashed out of my hands by someone going mental at a ninetieth minute winner. Step up the Kodak DC280 zoom (below), a 2mp camera released in 1999. Compared to some of the flash cameras you see today, it is an absolute piece of trash. Some of the photos that come out are horrifically over exposed and have the weirdest of colours and textures overlaid. However, this is all part of the fun and beauty of it.
In addition to having an interest in photography, I’ve also always had an interest in writing; I actually nearly opted for sports journalism at college, rather than design. Essentially, this is a space that is allowing me to combine all three of those hobbies – one mega hobby, and two side hobbies – together. So, that being said, join me as I document the weird and wonderful life of being a football fan. I’ll be venturing across the country to all kinds of different stadiums at all different levels, capturing the beauty of the grounds and the fan cultures that live within them, through imagery and words. Hopefully there will be some funny stories along the way.
*I am a dad, meaning I’m not free every weekend to venture out on a footballing adventure. Sometimes, I might rattle off three or four in quick succession. Other times, it might be quiet. Please bear with me!
GROUNDHOP DAY 