Shot of the Season: Steve Screech

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

AFC Sudbury v Heybridge Swifts, Saturday April 29th

Why is it important to you?

Pictured is Jake Turner, who less than 48 hours before kick off was going to miss out on the Pitching In Isthmian North Play Off Final due to a suspected stress fracture in his lower leg- caused by running the London Marathon a week before hand. Jake not only lasted the 90 minutes but also the following 30 extra minutes that were to follow and also popped up with the 98th minute winner that sent Sudbury up!

After finishing a country mile above the rest of our play off opponents it was such a relief to get it over the line. This moment is when Jake first returned to the dressing room post match and really it sums up how everyone was feeling. The emotional cork was popped!

Not just my favourite photo of the season but one of my favourite photos full stop. For me... it says it all!




Where can we find the rest of your work?

My work is on Twitter and the AFC Sudbury website. Since I've covered 100 + games for the club this season it's fair to say there's a pretty large S.Screech balance to the club gallery section.

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

I am known as a games developer, i've made some iconic football games over the years and i've been developing software for over 35 years now, mainly football related games ( Kick Off, Player Manager, Championship Manager ) The Sudbury website was in a bit of a mess 4-5 years ago and so I was asked by one of the non exec directors at AFC, Ben Davies, if i fancied tidying it up and helping the club out in that regard. My price was to ask in return to be able to take photos of Sudbury games. Deal.. since then i've expanded my remit at the club and now head up the social media side of the operation as well as a few other aspects of the club. I was used to aviation photography previously but sports photography is a completely different beast, far tougher and with a lot more unpredictable moving parts!

What are your hopes for the forthcoming season?

My hopes for the forthcoming season are that whichever division we may find ourselves ( hopefully Isthmian Premier of course ) that we continue to conduct ourselves with dignity and always give everything that we have. Also I hope for continuity and not massive changes and seismic shifts. Tweaking and tinkering.

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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