Taking the time to reflect on the end of a chapter, as I have done here with Thame Utd, has really demonstrated to me what it means to be a club photographer. The cliched highs & lows of football exist in the minds of all those who experienced them but in photographic form they will exist forever and I’ve really enjoyed looking back over my journey with the Red Kites.
It begins in August 2019 with kit I inherited from my dad, that kit was quickly upgraded in the autumn of 2019 and then further additions were made in the summer of 2022, it’s an expensive yet rewarding hobby for sure.
As I looked through the photos it dawned on me quite how few players stay with a club throughout even the shortest of periods but there were players who were there for the whole journey and of course the management team for who my 4 years were the final stages in much longer chapters - including a 16 year one for manager Mark West!
The images below were ones which stand out to me. Probably they are not my very best photos but those which are perhaps most meaningful or captured a point in time.
Looking back at 4 years of photos, although not 4 full seasons due to COVID (some of my albums capture those post-lockdown haircuts!), re-affirms why I love sports photography. It is a documentary, an ability to capture significant events in the moment but those moments become memories and those memories are captured forever. Not just there for me, but for everyone who was involved in the ups & downs, the despair and the celebrations.
Ben Sturgess celebrates in my first Thame Utd game, an FA Cup tie at home to Leighton Town which ended in a 3-3 draw. August 2019.
Thame Utd Assistant Manager Stuart Blaiks goes over to shake the hand of a disappointed Dan West, this photograph would be printed out and can be seen behind the seats in the stand at the ASM Stadium.
One of my earliest but also favourite photos. A last minute winner from Frome Town in the FA Trophy sees them beat Thame 2-1, the joy & despair of football. This photo gave me belief that I might be cut out for this sports photography malarky… 26th October 2019.
A Bognor Regis fan wears a full face mask before the FA Trophy game at Thame Utd. This was just after lockdown, Bognor ran out 5-2 winners on the night. 8th December 2020.
Ryan Blake runs to the Thame Utd bench where Ben Johnson & Harry Scott wait to celebrate. Thame endured a tough start to the season but put in a fine display away at Margate in the FA Cup, drawing 2-2 when the hosts equalised late on. A result which would give Thame a lift that carried into the following league games. Saturday, 4th September 2021.
The Margate bounce. Ben Sturgess celebrates with goalscorer Harry Scott in the 5-0 drubbing of FC Romania. FC Romania would go on to find the ASM Stadium a tough place to go in the next couple of seasons. Saturday 11th September 2021.
Dan West celebrates an important goal away at Oxfordshire-rivals Wantage Town as Thame continued to build on the FA Cup result at Margate. September 2021
Ryan Blake scores & celebrates against Winchester City in Sept 2021. My start to life at Thame had been impacted by the COVID lockdowns but now the celebrations were coming my way I started to capture some images that I really loved sharing afterwards.
Jack Tutton, who had been rather cruelly taunted with shouts of “Voldemort” at Margate in the FA Cup (despite his hair loss being as a result of chemotherapy), celebrates with this wave of a wand after scoring against Didcot Town in October 2021.
A misty November night at Banbury Utd. Ryan Blake takes a shot in this Southern League Cup fixture, Tuesday, 2nd November 2021. I’ve loved shooting in a bit of mist/fog ever since this night.
One of my favourite shots. Mr Thame Utd aka Dan West, son of manager Mark West, celebrates in the away end after scoring a late winner away at rivals Aylesbury Utd. In this photo he celebrates with George Newman, a Thame fan who hasn’t missed a game for over 18 months (and counting).
Ryan Blake celebrates scoring in the 3-0 win against Kidlington, Jack Tutton also enjoyed the goal. Thame were flying in early 2022 and the goal celebrations were coming thick & fast! 6th February 2022.
The much loved & missed Steve Gilmore arrives at Didcot Town with wife Tina to watch their son George play against his former side. February 2022.
Thame Utd v Oxford Utd in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. As Thame’s photographer, and a lifelong Oxford Utd fan, this was the ultimate fixture for me and I enjoyed every second of it. March 2022.
Jack Tutton loved a tackle, this was taken in a drab end-of-season 0-0 draw away at Barton Rovers. March 2022.
The season opener against Ware on Saturday 13th August 2022. Thame would go on to endure a difficult start to the season before turning things around.
Thame were drawn away at Marlow in the FA Cup, the game was streamed on the BBC red button. Thame lost the game 3-1. Saturday 20th August 2022
Former Oxford Utd player Adam Smith in action against Marlow in the FA Cup tie. A bumper crowd at a ground with bags of character and one of the oldest wooden stands in England. Saturday 20th August 2022.
Jack Garder celebrates a goal as Thame win at Walthamstow, it would be a win which then signalled the start of a difficult period for the Red Kites. Saturday 27th August 2022.
After a series of defeats in September, Thame are able to grab an important point against much-fancied (and eventual league winners) Berkhamsted. Dan West celebrates one of the goals in a 2-2 draw. Tuesday 4th October 2022.
A disappointing defeat at Welwyn Garden City leads to some post-match soul-searching. 22nd October 2022.
A sickening defeat away at Hadley. Thame were desperate for points and were leading 1-0 until two late goals, including a last-minute penalty, saw the hosts run out 2-1 winners. October 2022.
The start of a revival. Thame beat Barton Rovers 2-0 and then followed it up with a 4-1 win at home to Harlow Town. Greg Hackett (left) scores and celebrates with Luke Massingham.
Thame Utd super-fan George Newman pre-game away at Kempston Rovers. Thame would lose the game to a Kempston side who enjoyed a good start to the season before tailing off.
It’s all smiles after a 3-1 win at home to Didcot Town in January 2023. New signings are making a difference and things are on the up.
Jack Tutton - great player but timing of tackles is sometimes a bit, well, off :-) Oxfordshire Senior Cup game away at local-rivals Kidlington FC, Feb 2023
A young mascot is told to cover his hears during a pre-match huddle before the game against Highworth Town, March 2023.
Young Harry Alexander is held aloft after scoring a last-minute winner against North Leigh in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final, March 2023.
Jefferson Louis, a player who played a big part in the turnaround at Thame scores the 4th in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final against Oxford City, 19 April 2023.
Thame Utd win the Oxfordshire Senior Cup, beating Oxford City 4-1, 18th April 2023. My last game for Thame Utd.
I hope you enjoyed that recap of my time with Thame Utd.
The club and people there gave me a great platform to develop my knowledge and passion for Sports Photography and I wish them all well as a lot of the players & staff now move on to new things.
I wish the club every success moving forward, it has a great platform to solidify at Step 4 and could certainly push higher.