Shot of the Season: Chris Neal

When was the image taken (match, event, etc)?

This was the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup – Corinthian Casuals v Burgess Hill Town on 3rd September 2022 at King Georges Fields.

Why is it important to you?

Though I’d seen Corinthian Casuals play several times before, this was the first time that I’d visited them at their home ground which is festooned with photos of their eventful past, colourful flags and banners. It all made for a great afternoon’s photography and the exciting 2-1 win for the Hillians (against the one Division higher Casuals) was one of the few real highlights of a disappointing season.
 
This photo in particular had it all for me; the colourful team strips, the frantic race for the ball, the focused eyes of both players and the symmetry of the watching players in the background.  

Where can we find the rest of your work?

All of my Burgess Hill Town photos (from my 6 years of photographing them) are on the BHTFC Flickr site here - www.flickr.com/photos/126181108@N07/albums

How and why did you begin taking photographs at football matches?

I’d followed Isthmian League football since 1980 when I lived in High Wycombe and supported Wycombe Wanderers though I stopped physically attending matches quite a few years ago after I’d moved to Sussex. Photography is my main hobby 6 years ago, and out of the blue, I decided to take my camera to a local game. I plumped on Burgess Hill Town v Dulwich Hamlet as Hamlet were one of the teams I used to see Wycombe play regularly back in the day. Hamlet won this one 3-0. My photos weren’t anything to write home about but the following home match was a win or be relegated match for the Hillians v Merstham so I just had to attend that one didn’t I?
 
Burgess Hill won 2-1 with the winner coming very late into stoppage time. I put the photos on my own Flickr account. The club saw and liked them and asked if I fancied taking photos for them the following season and I’ve been doing so ever since. This season though was my last as I’ve decided to go back to watching matches without a camera in front of my face again.

What are your hopes for the forthcoming season?

With a new owner, board and management team in place I’m really hoping to see Burgess Hill Town at the upper end of the table, rather than fighting for survival at the bottom end again. Come On You Hillians!

If you're a photographer who would like to send in their shot of the season, please answer the questions above and email to Ian on townsendaround@gmail.com

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