Caraboa cup final…

Ever since I got into street photography, I have wanted to capture the sheer range of emotions that come with football games. But not just any football games, Arsenal FC games in particular.

I played semi pro football for most of my life and some of my fondest memories are playing for Arsenal LFC in my youth.

Football has forever been a passion of mine and to combine that with a new passion, seems like the ultimate collab. So when Arsenal FC reached the Caraboa Cup Final at Wembley FC, I just knew I had to go and experience it. Even if I couldnt get a ticket to the game.

I am so glad I did!

As an Arsenal Fan through and through, the result of the day definitely put a dampener on the day but the energy and atmosphere of the day really was one of a kind. The banter, the chants and the creativity of the fans had me walking round with a smile on my face without even realising it.

Everywhere you looked there was something to be seen and a chant to be heard.

I think it is easy to underestimate the passion people have for their teams but when the team makes it to a cup final.

One of my favourite photographs of the day is of a very good boy, modelling his favourite Arsenal FC shirt. He was the star of the show and seemed to be really comfortable in the middle of all that madness.

As a life long Arsenal fan, it was amazing to see all of the shirts that were on display and some took me back to some amazing memories from my childhood. I think that capturing these in my photography also give an element of nostalgia to anyone that has a connection to those shirts and those glory days.

It was amazing to see people building these memories with their own children. Times that they will never forget and reflect fondly on as the years go by, with their own photos of the day.I think that is the magic of photography. It is so easy to snap a photo on your iPhone these days but to print them and place them into a photo album is where the real magic happens.

It may not be next week or even next month, but some time in the future, the kids from this day will look back on those photographs and say “I was there and my dad/mum took me. It was one of the best days ever.”

Isn’t that what it is all about?