Got to love a Derby Match

This weekend’s football was Fulham v Brentford, two teams that I photograph regularly, with Fulham looking to secure Automatic Promotion & Brentford looking for a play-off place, it was always going to end up being a draw.

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Matt TARGETT battle

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Matt TARGETT battle

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage.

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Matt TARGETT battle

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Sergi CANOS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS & FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Romaine SAWYERS & FulhamÕs Kevin MCDONALD battle

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Henrik DALSGAARD & FulhamÕs Kevin MCDONALD

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Florian JOZEFZOON shoots

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Sergi CANOS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Florian JOZEFZOON shoots

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Florian JOZEFZOON shoots

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS battles with Fulham’s Tim REAM

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Sergi CANOS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Ollie WATKINS battles with Fulham’s Tim REAM

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Romaine SAWYERS takes free kick

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Stefan JOHANSEN

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Yoann BARBET heads on goal

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Yoann BARBET heads on goal

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Yoann BARBET

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Yoann BARBET wants another free kick

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC battles

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Andreas BJELLAND shoots

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Stefan JOHANSEN & Brentford’s Nico YENNARIS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Tom CAIRNEY

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Matt TARGETT & Brentford’s Henrik DALSGAARD

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Florian JOZEFZOON & FulhamÕs Tim REAM

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Stefan JOHANSEN & Brentford’s Nico YENNARIS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Tim REAM & Brentford’s Florian JOZEFZOON

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC takes free kick

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC takes free kick

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC celebrates

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Ryan FREDERICKS fouled by Brentford’s Yoann BARBET

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s John EGAN & FulhamÕs Ryan SESSEGNON

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Tom CAIRNEY shoots

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Ryan SESSEGNON & Brentford’s John EGAN

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Neal MAUPAY scores

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Neal MAUPAY scores

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Neal MAUPAY scores

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Tom CAIRNEY

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage.

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Fulham fan gets an autograph

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Fulham FC Manager Slavisa JOKANOVIC

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage.

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Manager Dean SMITH

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Fulham’s Kevin MCDONALD & Brentford’s Romaine SAWYERS

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Fulham FC Manager Slavisa JOKANOVIC

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Goalkeeper Marcus BETTINELLI tips over Brentford’s Yoann BARBET’s header

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. Brentford’s Andreas BJELLAND shoots & Fulham’s Matt TARGETT attempts to block

14/04/2018. Fulham v Brentford. SkyBet Championship Action from Craven Cottage. FulhamÕs Aleksandar MITROVIC

No Win this Weekend

07/11/2015. Bedfont Sports v Guildford City FC. City’s Nathan Chambers scores

City travelled to Bedfont Sports on Saturday, but couldn’t manage a win, worked hard, but probably missed Matt Anton’s industrious work rate pressuring their defence.

In other news I had to leave the match early to photograph a fireworks display.

07/11/2015. Chalfont St Giles Fireworks

Get In

15/08/2015. Tadley v GCFC. City run out 3-2 Winners in FA Cup. Citys Athan SMITH-JOSEPH scores city’s 2nd after besting 4 players

Guildford City played in the FA cup at the weekend, & won, so on to the next round were we travel to Thatcham Town, a team that we played in the South & West League a couple of seasons ago.

Sneaked a win

12/08/2015. GCFC v Farnham Town. City Win 2-1 in the Hogs Back Derby. City’s Andy OTTLEY scores

Guildford City hosted local rivals Farnham Town on a mid-week night at the Spectrum…. 1 – 1 until 90 minutes when a 25 yard screamer settled the game….

Proud to have been involved

A little football club in Guildford that I photograph regularly for their match day programmes & the local newspaper coverage did brilliantly well in the “national match day programme awards” beating local, much higher placed, and far wealthier teams such as Woking & Aldershot Town FC. So well done Guildford City FC. Onwards & Upwards.

Ok so the season is over

The football season, at Step Five at least, is over, Guildford City had a number of memorable games in the frantic end to the season. With so many games postponed during the christmas & January period, it meant playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday for the last few weeks, which was tough on the players, and the club, as revenues from weekday games are seldom, if ever as good as weekend games.

However the new management & the new squad performed admirably with an important run of three straight wins at the end of the season (& 8 wins from the last 13) to ensure Premier league survival for the team. Some outstanding performances across the squad, as usual the strikers (Anthony Baker & Dan Steward) will get most of the credit, there were brilliant performances across the whole park, from goalkeepers, defenders, mid-fielders and the management.

A great end to a season that started poorly, with all of the usual trials & tribulations that go with a management change part way through a season. However, on a positive note, the team are young, they have less than a season of experience at this level of football, I am confident that if we can keep the squad together next season will be a very different story.

Egham v Bedworth

25/04/2015. Egham Town v Bedworth United. Brendan MATHEW’s header hits the crossbar

Couldn’t get to the important Mole Valley SCR v Guildford City FC game today as work dictates that I had to visit an 8 goal thriller at Egham Town.

In other news, Guildford City won their game 2 – 0 and have avoided back to back relegations, so congrats to the new management team & their fantastic young players. Critics have said that they have no experience at this level, however, they have proved that a fantastic team spirit, great discipline, high work rate & sound tactics can be made to work at any level. I am confident that the new team (assuming that they stay together) will have a great future in the glorious City Red & White….

Footy Again

18/04/2015. Brentford v Bolton Wanderers. Brentford Midfielder Jonathon DOUGLAS celebrates Brentford’s 2nd goal

I Couldn’t make the Guildford City v Colliers Wood match, that City won apparently quite comfortably 3-0 as I was away at the Brentford v Bolton Wanderers game, a match that Brentford had to win to stand a chance of a play off place, unfortunately they were unable to hold on to a 2-1 lead & ultimately were only able to draw, which is probably not quite good enough.

No Win today…

10/04/2015. Knaphill FC v Guildford City. City’s Dan STEWART scores

After a good win, on a shocking pitch with the worst lighting I have ever witnessed in any league ever on Thursday night, the 4th game in 8 days was a step to far for the young City side. Having a star striker pull up during the warm up was a set back, but Dan Stewart did come on as a substitute in the second half & scored as well.

Knaphill did probably just about deserve the points, but the battle for survival is still winnable.

10/04/2015. Knaphill FC v Guildford City. City’s Tadej VENTA scores from corner

A Hard Earned Win

09/04/2015. Raynes Park Vale v Guildford City. City’s Dan Stewart scores

City travelled to Raynes Park Vale for a Thursday night game, the third in 5 days. Under the gloomiest floodlights I have ever had the misfortune to see, City ground out a win. The pitch was so dark that even at 12800ISO there was barely enough light to work, & in the corners, I felt that I might have been in deepest, darkest Peru.

City Draw at Westfield

06/04/2015. Westfield v Guildford City. City’s Dan STEWART scores equaliser

Still a few games to go, & City are still battling for survival, they managed a 2 – 2 draw on Bank Holiday Monday morning. The weather was glorious, I may have shot a few more frames than I would normally do, but what the hell, the sun was out, & I was just in jeans & polo shirt. But well done City, having gone 2 – 1 down at the end of the first half, their heads didn’t drop, they equalised, & they could have &probably should have scored several more. On to the Raynes Park game on Thursday now.

Guildford City 4 – 0 Farnham

25/03/2015. Dan STEWART scores his first in City’s 4-0 win over Farnham Town

Thank You Guildford City, my birthday tomorrow, and it is four wins on the bounce with a 4 -0 victory over Farnham Town, another clean sheet, and it could have been quite a few more. As Chris Dyke in the local paper said, quoting Alan Hansen “you can’t win anything with kids” the last couple of months have been a revelation at the “City”.

The average age under the new management has dropped significantly yet the standard of football, the level of professionalism, the sportsmanship (not gamesmanship) have gone through the roof.

Quality football, solid defence, two outstanding shot stoppers (as anyone who knows me, that was my role, many years ago) & a never say die spirit is impressive, makes my role within the club a pleasure, now on to face Epsom & Ewell at the Spectrum on Saturday.

Another City Win

21/03/2015. Frimley Green v Guildford City FC. City’s Anthony Baker stopped by Frimley’s keeper

3 Wins on the bounce, Guildford City travelled to local rivals Frimley Green, where they won a closely contested match 2 – 1, Next game is a home match against Farnham Town FC at the Spectrum. The Old City side beat Farnham at their place, 1 – 0 in the most one sided game I have covered in a long time, yet City were only able to score a single goal. Farnham have had a better season of it since then, but on the basis of the last three or four performances City should give them a decent run for their money. I just hope that City can raise a strong team.

Another City Win

14/03/2015. Guildford City v Hanworth Villa. City’s Anthony BAKER’s goal is ruled out for pushing.

Guildford City battled their way to a narrow victory over relegation rivals Hanworth Villa. With goals from Florin RAMIZI & Anthony BAKER, who both are in a rich vein of form, having scored a brace & a hat-trick respectively mid-week.

Next week sees them travel to Frimley Green, which is another 6 pointer.

City Win

10/03/2015. Guildford City v Hartley Wintney. City’s Anthony BAKER scores his Hat Trick

A week day away game used to be a nightmare, travelling hundreds of miles with a weakened team to play on a miserable night in Taunton or further west. However the new management & and a new squad mean that mid-week away days could be something to look forward to.

A 0-5 victory against high flying Hartley Wintney gave City the boost that they probably need in the hectic run in towards the end of the season. They could probably have won by a greater margin, but a sterling performance by every player secured a fantastic win, & hopefully an injection of confidence that this young team can truly compete at this level. Well Done City.

At Last…

07/03/2015 Guildford City V Ashford Town. City’s Anthony BAKER heads on goal

At last some football, only three games since the new year, Guildford City finally managed to get a match on at the Spectrum, because of the postponements it looks like two matches a week for most of the remainder of the season

Home Win

11/02/2015 Guildford City v Knaphill FC. City win 2 -1.

Only the second home game for Guildford City FC since December 2014, & City recorded a deserved win & an invaluable 3 points.

Home Draw

7/02/2015 Guildford City v Horley Town. City’s Anthony BAKER scores

I covered the Guildford City FC v Horley Town at the Guildford Spectrum, the first home match to be played since the 6th December. A very young squad battled hard & were unfortunate to concede an equaliser in the 90+ minute. Having come from 0-1 down to lead 3-2.

Next up Knaphill at home, bring it on 🙂

No GCFC Footy Today

24/01/2015. Woking FC v Dover Athletic. FA Trophy 3rd Round. Woking’s Scott RENDELL shoots & scores of the keeper’s error

No match at the game that I was planning on covering, so I covered the Woking v Dover match in the FA Trophy 3rd Round. Woking after having played the best football in the first half gave away a 2-1 lead in the second half to be 3-2 down, only a last gasp header from Scott Rendell, meant that they go to a replay at Dover on Tuesday night.

Woking FC v Kidderminster Harriers

27/09/2014. Woking FC v Kidderminster Harriers.Woking’s Josh Payne

No game for Guildford City this weekend, so I covered the Woking FC match, partially because I have been loaned the new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8, which is 2 generations on from my current 120-300mm. I have never been happy with the version of the lens that I have, it isn’t sharp, when I first received it it front focused like a bitch, and has been back to Sigma twice, each time with the camera to have it adjusted. It still is not right, although not as bad as it was…

Previously I wrote This and This.

Well at least the new one focuses as it should on first trials, it has also addressed several of the issues that I raised in the first review of the 120-300, way back in 2005ish, which you can read here.

There will be a review in a few days when I have done some more testing, however interestingly it seems to work better with the Canon Extenders than the previous version did, it also even works with the 1.4x & 2x stacked.

Check back in a few days.

GCFC v Chertsey Town

6/09/2014 Guildford City FC v Chertsey Town FC.
City’s Sam SPENCER heads just over the bar

A great day at the Spectrum except for the result. Guildford City launched their brand new kit, sponsored by Team-Tops in association with the halow project, a Guildford based charity. The Mayor of Guildford was also in attendance along with the halow mascot.

Somehow the team managed to lose after having almost all of the offensive possession, most of the shots on goal, but unfortunately were not able to convert any of their numerous chances.

Anyway next up is a friendly match against the British Army, I don’t know what they are likely to be like in terms of football skills, but I can imagine that they will be very fit & strong.

No Footy this weekend

Disappointing not to have a football match to cover this weekend, perfect footballing weather, the pitch looked in great condition, but any hoo.

Guildford City are announcing their new charity partnership at the match against Chertsey Town on ‘Non League Day’ the 6th of September as well as unveiling the new football strip & sponsors to the public. As well at the halow project we are expecting the mayor of Guildford & various other dignitaries, trustees & directors of our commercial partners.

it should be a great day with a number of our youth teams playing games during half time, and various events prior to the kick off. Hopefully we will have several hundred fans & guests present for the afternoon, and then all down to the City Club for a BBQ & party.

Mission Creep

I have experienced the definitive case of ‘mission creep’ over the last couple of seasons. It started when I was asked if I knew of somewhere that we could get a good deal on minibuses for the nightmare of a season for Guildford City Football Club, when they were dumped from a great height in the Bristol & District league (or the Calor South & West League as it is officially known). Having secured a great deal from Methold Vehicle Hire for a couple of 17 seater minibuses for each of the away games, it became clear that a driver for one of the minibuses would also be required, so seeing as I would be driving one of the buses, the camera equipment should also travel as well.

So added to the list was match day photographer, after a few months, webmaster seemed to be added to my role within the club, oh & social media manager also…

Then during the close season the securing of advertising & sponsorship revenue were added to the list of things that needed doing.

Anyway the beginning of a new season & a lightening of the load occurred, no longer needing to drive minibuses, I am pleased to say that I have gone back to the role of match day photographer & webmaster for the www.guildfordcityfc.co.uk and the www.twitter.com/guildfordcity.

It has been an interesting & challenging 13 months or so, but hopefully some of the ideas that the we have put in place should make the financial position of the club a little easier to manage in future, and hopefully our new sponsors & advertisers will be with us for many years to come, along with hopefully many new ones as well.

A New Season Begins

09/08/2014 Farnham Town v Guildford City FC
City’s BRUCE MCPHAIL shot saved
Pic Paul Burgman

A new season in a new league, Guildford City FC this season find themselves in the Combined Counties Premier league. A much more local one than that the stitch up of a league that we ended up in last season. City’s furthest away game this season is a short jaunt across to Horley.

I have never been involved in the league at this level, but of the two matches that I have been to so far, it is going to be interesting to compare the quality of the stadium & facilities to the places like Merthyr Town, Evesham & The Seasiders from last year.

A loss in the first match of the season, when really we should have had a comfortable afternoon, then this weekend a victory against Farnham Town, by a single goal, which really could have been 5 or 6.

So onwards to our first home game of the season against Spethorne Sports on Wednesday evening at the Guildford Spectrum.

Next Seasons Football

Next season looks like Guildford City are going to be playing in the Combined Counties League, which whilst disappointing to have been relegated, it will mean that there is a lot less travelling which means that we will field a stronger team for away games than we have been able to. It also means that the club will benefit from more away fans at the Guildford Spectrum, which means a greater revenue stream.

It will also mean renewing acquaintances with local rivals, which should be fun. Visiting grounds like Camberley Town, Badshot Lea, Knaphill & Raynes Park, hopefully we will bounce straight back up & rejoin Godalming Town in the Step 4 Central Division.

Football Season Over

26/04/2014. Evesham United v GCFC. City’s NUNO PERIERA scores equaliser

Well that is the first season that I have been involved with Guildford City FC over with, it has been a long journey, tinged with disappointment, but being involved with a “community based” football team has been something of a revelation.

In years gone by, I used to photograph premier & championship football, it was a case of turn up, do the photos & fuck off soonest. However, at Grass Roots Football, where the FA don’t even care to look, and where the league system is fucked up fairly regularly, making small, non profit making teams embark on premiership style travelling distances without the money for coaches, hotels or travelling expenses. This (I hope just the first) season with Step 4 Guildford City has been “interesting”. No prima-donnas, just some very good footballers (some on their way down from higher leagues, some on their way up) giving their time, effort & skills to playing a game that they love, often for little or no reward.

This season has be interesting for a number of reasons, not only do I shoot the team for the local rag, I also drive one of the Team minibuses for away games, maintain their website, and their Facebook page, I have also got to know almost all of the players, and have to say that a nicer bunch of footballers I have never met. Polite, considerate & genuinely funny bunch, something that I could never say about the “celeb” footballers that I have photographed in the past.

Anyway Step 4 & 4000+ miles was a step too far this season. Hopefully they will be back in a seasons time, with the attitude, commitment and the work rate on the pitch, I can’t see them staying down.

Guildford City I look forward to being there next season 🙂

Maybe next season we will do more behind the scenes photographs…..

Another Late Night

02/04/2014 Swindon Supermarine v GCFC
City’s JOEL GREAVES
[Pic Paul Burgman]

Another journey in the saga of Guildford City in the Claor South & West League. This travelling lark is truly starting to lose its appeal. Wednesday saw Burgy, pick up the hired minibus at 1500hrs, in preparation for an away day trip to Swindon Supermarine.

Whilst it hasn’t been the furthest that we have travelled on a week day, it was still far enough for a lot of players that have jobs, getting away from work early really isn’t easy, so we travelled with 6 key players absent, so thin were the pickings that we had the reserve goal keeper playing up front.

The team got a bit of a trashing, but in reality it was kind of expected, playing against one of the promotion chasing teams. We eventually left the Guildford Spectrum at 1710hrs, for the (on a good day, 1 1/2 hour journey) traffic even getting out of guildford was a nightmare, and getting to Reading Services which usually takes 40 minutes took an hour & 20 minutes. Eventually we arrived at the ground at a little after 1910hrs.

The lighting was pretty bad, ISO3200 F2.8 @ 1/200th sec, but not the worst in the league, I think the award for the worst lighting is split between Bishop’s Cleeve & Fleet Town.

Journey home was a lot quicker, leaving after 2220hrs we made it back to Guildford just in time to grab a pint and then the following morning I had to return the minibus, and then drop a players wallet to his house as he left it in the bus.

What a birthday present

25/03/2014 Taunton Town v GCFC. Guildford city do the double over Taunton town.
City celebrate winning the match
[Pic Paul Burgman]

A long trip on Tuesday night from Guildford down to Taunton Town for a 1945hrs kick off. We left later than planned but fortunately no traffic problems and we were able to make up some time whilst on the road.

The Guildford City team looked like a good squad on paper, although as someone pointed out we don’t play on paper. I have to say that despite going one goal down, and then a second in the last minutes of the first half, city never dropped their heads.

In the second half they dug deep and really raised their game, running out 2 – 3 winners which made the minibus trip back to guildford a pleasant one, even if I didn’t hit the sack until 0100hrs.

Big Match Tonight… Fleet v Guildford City

I am photographing a massive game tonight as Guildford City FC play against bottom team Fleet Town. City beat Fleet back at the Spectrum in September, tonight is the night to complete the double, and create a bit of breathing space between them & City.

After a good point against Shortwood on Saturday, hopefully a full strength squad (although missing Ben Rayner, through injury) and the same kind of effort tonight should see 3 points heading Guildford’s way (Christ I hope that I haven’t jinxed it saying that).

Hopefully the Sweeney will be mob handed tonight, and really get behind the team.
COYG!

GCFC v Wimborne Town

GCFC’s Pat Cox shoots

Wednesday Night sees me at the Guildford Spectrum to cover the GCFC v Wimborne Town match that has been rearranged from a while back.

Wimborne have a two hour drive to play this game and rather selfishly I hope that they have the same travelling woes as we had when we played them at their ground. Hopefully The Sweeney will be in good voice on the night, COYG!!!!

Paulton Rovers v GCFC

This Saturday sees me once more heading west, down the M4 corridor to Paulton Rovers, right in the heart of Midsomer Murders Country. Three 9 Seater minibuses will be heading down the M4 if you see us give us a wave.

Paulton Rovers are quite a bit higher than City in the league, but haven’t had a great run of form recently, since the new year they actually have a worse record with more losses, so City should head into this game in good heart.

Come On You City!!!

GCFC v Bishop’s Cleeve…..

1/03/2014 Guildford City v Bishops Cleeve at the Spectrum. A 6 pointer at the bottom of the table clash. Shortly after scoring LANCE BANTON-BROWN nearly doubled City’s lead
[Pic Paul Burgman]

A cracking result, and a cracking team performance, Lance Banton-Brown (henceforth known as Super Sub) just can’t stop scoring against Bishop’s Cleeve, a brace at their ground in December & One today.

City’s survival hopes given a huge boost by a deserved victory against fellow strugglers today.

Come On City.

More Photos Here

GCFC v Bishop’s Cleeve

03/12/2013.
City’s LANCE BANTUM-BROWN scores his & City’s 2nd Goal of the evening

Big match this weekend against fellow strugglers at the bottom of Calor League One South & West. This is a six pointer if ever there was one.

Guildford City mugged Bishop’s Cleeve back in December, they fully expected to give City a spanking on a mid-week awayday with a massively depleted squad, so depleted that City only had one player on the bench, several very young, inexperienced players and a couple of returning players. In fact the majority of the team had never been on the football pitch together before.

However City overcame, and a LANCE BANTON-BROWN brace in the second half meant that the journey home was one were the City Fans & Players had all of the smiles.

Bishops Cleeve visit the Spectrum in Guildford tomorrow (Saturday) at 1500hrs, I hope that most of the Sweeney can make it to cheer on the City. We could really do with an effective Twelfth Man.

With luck City will be wearing the smiles again after this meeting of the two.

Come On City.

Cirencester Town v Guildford City

Assuming the that weather improves, GCFC are off on their travels again this weekend to Cirencester. So I will be re-familiarising myself with the M4 corridor, at least as far as junction 15, as I am piloting the team bus.

With so many games postponed since the New Year, the team must be gagging to getting some pitch time under their belts. As a photographer I am also looking forward to actually taking some photographs, preferably without the need to have the kit bag & equipment needing two days in the airing cupboard afterwards.

Some Great Coverage

Had some really nice coverage in the Surrey Advertiser this week, including a piece on the 40 years since Guildford City FC had its own stadium in Joseph’s Road. Click on the picture for the full size image.

Taunton Town V Guildford City

From Paul Burgman@PressPhotos-uk.com
28/09/13 Guildford City FC v Taunton Town FC @ Guildford Spectrum.
City’s Ryan BERNARD celebrates the winning Goal
Pic: Paul Burgman

Assuming that the game doesn’t get called off, Guildford City will be heading west to play Taunton Town. City beat Taunton 3-2 at the Spectrum, hopefully they will be able to repeat the victory this weekend.

Up the City….

UPDATE: Match Postponed, waterlogged pitch.

Great Surrey Advertiser Coverage

From the Derby match against Godalming Town FC, the back page of the Surrey Advertiser.

That should be fun

Awayday trip for Guildford City FC this weekend. Three 9 seater minibuses will be racing thrashing speeding driving sedately from the Guildford City Football Club’s Home Ground at the Spectrum to play Taunton Town in Somerset.

I shall be a) Driving one of the buses, & b) photographing the match for the club and the local rags. The only concern that I might have is that the people of Somerset might be surprised at 3 Horseless Carriages arriving at the ground, and they may object to having the souls taken by the camera equipment. 🙂

260 mile round trip, not the worst journey of the season, that comes next week when GCFC play Merthyr Town.

Very Disappointing

The Guildford City V Wimborne match has been postponed. An inspection at 0900hrs this morning ruled that the pitch was too heavy & that because of fears for player safety the match couldn’t go ahead.

Looking out the window, the Sun is out (and has been for some time) and it is pleasant outdoors.

So yet another another game that will need to be played on a weekday evening, which is tough for players with work commitments, the only positive is that at least it is at home.

Guildford City Football Club Sponsorship/Advertising

I am looking to attract sponsors & advertisers for the 2014/15 football season for the Guildford City Football Club. I am hoping that we can maintain existing arrangements with sponsors and attract new ones as well.

The final touches to the commercial brochure have been completed and it is now available to download here.

If you require further details or wish to arrange an appointment to discuss the opportunities available, please contact me on 075 88 66 9580 or email paul@pressphotos-uk.com

Recent Surrey Ad Coverage

It was nice to have some great coverage in the Surrey Advertiser last weekend, hopefully we can continue to secure similar coverage from now until the end of the season, I guess that will depend on Guildford City winning more games than they currently have done. Hopefully the Guildford City v Godalming Town Derby last night will also gain some publicity.

I am slightly biased about Guildford City getting local newspaper coverage, as one of my missions this year is to secure additional sponsorship which can only be helped by some good publicity.

GCFC v Wimborne Town Preview

GCFC host Wimborne Town at the Guildford Spectrum on Saturday, assuming that the weather permits it, we were a little fortunate to get the match on on Wednesday night, thanks to the hard work of the GBC & volunteers we were able to play, however the weather forecast is not good, with Rain predicted all day on Friday. Just hope that it stays away

Wimborne (The Magpies) hosted Guildford City at Cuthbury earlier in the season, where they romped home with an 8-1 victory. Whilst they are some 12 places ahead of where City current reside, I can’t see them winning by the same margin. In fact I can see GCFC giving them a proper game, as long as we can keep 11 players on the pitch for 90 minutes!

Kevin Rayners Red & White Army!!

GCFC v Godalming Town

22/01/2014 Guildford City FC v Godalming Town FC at the Spectrum. A competitive match that saw three sendings off.
City’s SAM SPENCER tests the keeper
[Pic Paul Burgman]

GCFC ended up with 9 men on the pitch at the final whistle, but because of the heroics of Keeper Antony Hall ended up with a 0-0 draw. City new boy Sam Spencer performed well, but limped off with a knock to the shin in the second half, which gave fans the chance to see new signing Andy White, up front.

For the first 20 minutes or so, until the sending off of Jamie Thoroughgood, Guildford City were all over the visitors, testing their goalkeeper on at least 3 occasions. After the red card (for a foul, being the last man, and allegedly a goal scoring chance some 30 yards out) the balance of the game changed, and Godalming were in the ascendancy testing the in-form City keeper Antony Hall. In the second half Antony Hall made his second penalty save of the season, and also pulled off several other outstanding saves. When the numbers were evened up, after a Godalming Town player was sent off, the balance changed again and City started to apply pressure at the other end.

Then not long before the end of the game, a second yellow card for an unnecessary tackle in the oppositions half of the pitch by the corner flag by Darren Stapleton saw him earn his second Yellow Card of the game. Having only just come back from a 2 match suspension, it looks like he will be suspended again.

22/01/2014 Guildford City FC v Godalming Town FC at the Spectrum. A competitive match that saw three sendings off.
City’s New Boy, ANDY WHITE shoots.
[Pic Paul Burgman]

Anyway a satisfactory draw, considering. If Guildford had been able to keep 11 players on the pitch I think that a fairly comfortable win would have been on the cards.

Anyway the next game that I am covering for GCFC is against Wimborne Town at the Guildford Spectrum. Wimborne are currently sitting in 10th place in the league with 34 points, whereas City are second bottom. However with the personnel changes since they last played, I can’t see Wimborne romping to a 7 goal margin again.

GCFC v Godalming Town Preview

Ok so the Fleet Town v Guildford City FC match at the weekend was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, so will be rescheduled sometime soon. The next match is the Wey Valley Derby between Guildford City & local rivals Godalming Town on Wednesday.

Godalming Town currently have the bragging rights after GCFC lost 1-0 at Wey Court earlier in the season, but with the much changed line up, hopefully City will be able to reverse the result at the Spectrum.

Godalming Town is currently ground sharing with GCFC after their ground & club house were badly damaged by flooding over the holiday period.

Come On City!!!

GCFC v Clevedon Town

11/01/2014 Guildford City’s Sam Spencer scores his second of the match

Fortunately the rain held off just about long enough for the Pitch at the Spectrum to dry out enough to get the first home game played in nearly a month, after the postponement of the Wey Valley Derby against Godalming & a match against high flying, big spending Swindon Supermarines.

Guildford City were hosting Clevedon Town yesterday, and managed to record only their 4th win of the season. During the first half, City created numerous chances but ended up looking down the barrel of defeat.

But with the sharp youngster Sam Spencer scoring twice & contributing with an assist for the own goal City ran out 3-2 winners, “Come On You City”, “Kevin Rayner’s Red & White Army”

More Pics Here

Has it stopped raining yet?

Guildford City FC are meant to be playing away at Swindon Supermarines tomorrow, however the weather seems to want us to play on a weekday evening, which is a real pain in the arse as it is always difficult to field a strong team away from home on weekdays. Players have work commitments and whilst Swindon isn’t the furthest ground in the league from Guildford it still means players have to get there 1 & 1/2 hours before kick off add to that at least 2 hours journey for most of the players.

Anyway pitch inspection tomorrow morning at 1030hrs, judging by the weather forecast, it will most like involve checking the depth at the shallow end & posting the appropriate signs around the pitch.

Anyway off shortly to the New Years Party & Buffet at the Guildford City Club, for copious amounts of music, food & most importantly drink, Yay.

Happy New Year to you all.

Yate Town V GCFC

29/12/2013 Yate Town v GCFC. City’s Sam Spencer scores for Guildford

A long day yesterday, up with the larks, well OK not the larks, but early for me on a weekend. Collect a hired minibus, get to the Spectrum in Guildford for 1000hrs planning on hitting the road at 1030hrs.

Eventually we got on the road at 1050hrs, and headed off to the west country. Yate Town to be precise which is very close to Sodding Chipbury. Just over 100 miles each way in a Minibus restricted to 62mph, makes the M4 seem a very dull stretch of road, a quick food stop at Chieveley Services and then on to the ground where we arrived in good time (indeed maybe a first that we had 15 players at the oppositions ground at 1330hrs). However the match kit was travelling in a different vehicle. Although it did arrive eventually there were concerns that the GCFC Awayday jinx had struck again.

Anyway the Awayday jinx did strike despite a reasonably solid performance a couple of errors ended up Guildford losing 4-1. City really now need to put a run of results together in January, otherwise they will lose touch completely with the teams ahead of them, they probably also need to hope that other results are kind to them.

Anyhoo the next match is away at Swindon Supermarines on New Years Day, I am figuring that my hangover might prevent my attendance, then after that we are at home to Mangotsfield, who we lost to first game of the season, 5-3 having conceded twice in the first three minutes. After that there should be a re-scheduled match against Godalming Town.

Bath Night

Damed that was wet, I have been wetter, but only in the bath. Today I was at Thatcham Town Fc v Guildford City FC in the Calor League South & West Division One, which according to the FA is a local derby (a 100 mile round trip) It started pissing down with rain about 3 minutes into the match and then stopped when the Referee blew for half time.

The first three or four minutes of the second half were dry, after that it pissed down even harder than the first half.

Oh well, if the weather keeps this up, the Boxing Day match will most likely be cancelled, which is probably just as well, as it will give the camera kit a chance to dry out.

Next weeks Match

City’s next match is at home at the Spectrum against Evesham United. The only problem with games at this time of the year, is that even afternoon matches end up being evening matches the Bridgwater Town game ended up the second half shooting at 3200ISO, 1/125sec wide open. Roll on March & April.

F*ck Me!

The Guildford City FC Minibus Fleet, courtesy of Methold Vehicle Hire

F*ck Me, have I said F*ck Me yet? If not F*ck Me. Nearly 300 miles as a round trip to Bridgwater today with Guildford City FC, F*ck Me! I think I might have said that already….

Anyway today was an away trip to F*ck Me, Bridgwater Town FC, we left the Spectrum a little later than was considered appropriate, yesterday would have been appropriate, with a nice 5* hotel, expenses paid brekkie & copious amounts of beer, but as this is Non League football, (with a team with a very small budget) we ended up in two 9 seater minibuses leaving Guildford at 10.30…. No hang on 10.40, ahh wait a while, 10.50am.

Fortunately the 9 seaters buses we had are unrestricted unlike the 17 seaters (62 m.bollox.p.bollox.h.), so we can make up some time, “honest Guv we never broke any speed limits, mumble mumble autobahns mumble mumble.

A disappointing result, caused directly by at least 4 shocking refereeing decisions. The first of which was why the F*ck was this referee not down at Specsavers, and his two linesmen (sorry assistant referees allowed pitch-side without their guide-dogs). Once again City are at the wrong end of loads, I mean loads of shit decisions by the official twats Monkeys Fucking Corrupt Officials.

Now don’t get me wrong I am a Gooner. I am not a GCFC fan, there is no bias with me here, I don’t hold a torch, I have no argument to make, I have my team & and my country, neither of which are Guildford. But I do have a problem with incompetence or corruption. FA take note, I have chosen 2 ways of describing it, I think an audit would nail which one it is.

07/12/2013. Bridgwater 4-2 Guildford City
[Pic Paul Burgman]

Sorry GCFC I wish I could have been a good luck charm, but it looks like my 100% coverage rate is due to end next week (unless commissioned by the SA), or the following week for other reasons..

Once again our thanks go (not only to our players, sponsors, management etc), but also to Methold Vehicle Hire of whom GCFC are proud to be associated, for their brand new 9 seater minibuses.

Match Photos are online Here