Yeah, you heard that correctly. One day, out of pure luck, but a lucky situation I will never forget, I was asked as part of the AFC Bournemouth Press Team to take photos of a game pitch side. Me. No previous knowledge of cameras or taking photos. Me.
Granted, I had played football to a very high standard before (weird flex but okay) at Premier League outlet Brighton and Hove Albion, and Bostic side Burgess Hill, yet this felt different. Sure I've played on bigger pitches in front of more people, but this was combining my two passions - football and journalism - into an amalgamation of nerves and excitement.
First, some context:
For an assignment at University, I had to review an event in order to produce a feature on such event. No big deal. I bought myself a ticket to the AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool u23 game on what was supposed to be a regular Sunday. To me though, that wasn't enough. I rented out a Canon 70D camera from the kit room - this bad boy:
Not a bad bit of kit all things considered - until you looked across and saw the professional cameras alongside me.
And rocked up to the ground knowing I could get some great photos from my £3 seat in Stand 6.
I got there nice and early to take some photos of the Vitality and surroundings, and was feeling confident ahead of the game.
Oh how that all changed for a brief, fleeting moment.
I rocked up to the gate with ticket in hand, and the security guard stopped me because of the aforementioned 'bad boy' I had round my neck. Apparently you're not allowed to bring professional camera's into the ground as a fan. So I was moved to one side whilst a manager was found, but he was a tad busy. So they sent me round to reception at the main entrance to speak to someone.
At this point, things aren't looking too promising.
The lovely bloke at reception heard my unfortunate story, and got in contact with the Head of Media for the club (sorry I didn't get your name, but thanks once again). He then proceeded to invite me PITCH SIDE to take photos of the game, with a press vest and everything, have full access to the press room (including the free tea and coffee) and I got to spend the game watching a matter of inches from the players.
As you can see, as close to the game as I could get - and not a bad photo if you ask me!
I wanted to see how far I could push it though. So as the players went in for their team-talk before the game, I pushed the boundaries of my blue press vest as far as it could go - and went on the pitch.
Liverpool ended up riding out to a comfortable 2-0 win, but that didn't matter to me. I got to watch a club I've been religiously following for the past couple of years, a club who exceeded expectation to break into the top flight, a club with one of the most passionate followings out there, from a position I always wanted to be in.
The experience was incredible, one I will never forget, and one I will do anything to do again.
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