INFORMATION

General Information

During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster & Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit the information page. If you find a caption is wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D J Clark.

Date: December 4th, 9th, 2000
Location: Christie Park, Morecambe

Photographer's Diary

December 4th Blackburn Rovers Reserves v Liverpool Reserves, Christie Park

With rumours of England stars appearing in this match at Morecambe, I frantically faxed and called Morecambe Football club to get a press pass. At 4.30 PM I got the OK and drove from Bolton almost straight to the game. There was a good crowd almost 3,000 in total, but few to no stars to be found. I didn't even recognise any of the Rovers reserves which was disappointing.

Me and a Liverpool photographer, braced the rain and shot the game. But there was little of interest and a final result of 1-0 to Liverpool after a Blackburn own goal. It was a good idea for Blackburn to move their reserve games to Christie Park but sadly I felt many of the supporters had hoped for a better game.

Saturday 9th December - Morecambe V Cambridge United FA Cup 2nd Round

This was billed as the second biggest game ever for the shrimps. Now a Nationwide Conference side with great ambitions for the Football league, they drew a second division team with aspirations for the first. A win would mean the possibility of a premiership tie and glory for the little club by the sea.

I arrived 15 minutes early and was amazed to see the home stand already full and chanting. I wandered the sideline snapping at the supporters. This was a big day for them and I was keen to get some joyful celebrations before things started going wrong.

I took up my post next to another photographer on the side line and aimed my camera at the action. It was not far into the game and Morecambe scored, I snapped a half effort as the ball struck the net and then jumped over the barrier to photograph the crowds reaction. They were ecstatic and emotion flowed into my lens. I was beginning to feel the project was becoming a football anthology, but only at football do you find such passion amongst the general public.

Cambridge scored a few minutes later and the game was left on a knife edge into half time. I strolled the perimeter to grab the pie shot and the kids who wanted their chance to be famous. Match of the Day were there with the TV cameras and everybody wanted to be on the telly.

For the second half, I braved the crowd and stood up amongst them. I was aware that if Cambridge scored, I would have a strong picture but those around me would not be as happy. I could see a drummer and set of hard-core supporters just a few yards from where I stood, but the crowd was too thick to get to them. I moved down. With few minutes remaining Morecambe pulled off the miracle. A goal and the crowd went mad. I was nearly out of film, but got some pictures. If they could only hang on I would be ready this time. They did and I was, jumping over the barrier with the first brave supporter I went in with the charge to congratulate the players. The early half hearted streaker, paled into insignificance and the passion flowed for a small town team done good.

The draw the next day saw Morecambe welcome Ipswitch - a premiership club now third from the top this was going to be the prize, but unfortunately it would not happen until next year.

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