Bolton Wanderers visited Mansfield Town on Saturday in a pre season friendly. Mansfield is only a short drive down the A60 from Nottingham so it was a easy game for me to 'enjoy'.
I decided as it was a pre-season friendly I would take my DSLR and a zoom lens at take some photos.
Football clubs and the Football League are a bit fussy about cameras in grounds, but with it being a friendly I thought they might relax the rule.
I emailed Mansfield Town in the week asking if it would be OK for me to take my camera. I explained I was an amateur photographer and not doing it for profit.
I got a nice telephone call from Kevin a safety officer at the club who gave me permission to take my camera into the ground.
When I got to the turnstile entrance I was asked by a young lady what was in my bag. "A camera" I said. The lady asked her colleague if it was OK and he opened a notebook and started reading it.
I explained I had permission from Kevin and the man read his notebook and said "oh yes we were expecting you...you will be Phil Howcroft...enjoy the game". He then spoke into his radio and said "Phil Howcroft has arrived and entered the ground" !
Bolton in the white jerseys are defending a free kick. Not defending very well I may add as the young man in front of the two Bolton Wanderers defenders is just about to glance a header into the Wanderers goal.
Well I am amazed at your story Phil! First that you aren't allowed cameras into the ground & second that they were so,organised to have your name down in their littke book! I bet you felt very special! I would have! Nice detail here too.
I seem to keep missing your photos on my dashboard. I haven't been posting as regularly as I should but try to catch up with old friends....I love your story...Phil Howcroft has arrived!!! Brilliant! At the end they should have announced..Phil Howcroft has left the stadium! lol! Great action shot here and so many will be pleased footie is up and running! Me, I'm listening to the Test!!
July 22nd, 2016
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@sketch2 same old Dave ! Lost 2-1
@happypat thanks PAt, I did have a chuckle when the stewaard spoke into his walkie talkie to let the safety officer know I had arrived :)
@ivan cheers Ivan
@kerristephens thanks kerri
@nickspicsnz thanks nick, LOL
@maggiemae maggie, it was very good of MAnsfileld Town to let me take my camera into the ground