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Best of 2016

• 5 minutes read • 884 words

I took a bit of a step back from shooting weekly football this year to concentrate on growing the agency I co-run and another business I run. Nonetheless, I’ve put together a set of my favourite photos of the year.

Eric Dier scores England’s winner in Berlin. It’s a fairly standard goal picture but it’s the moment England came from behind to win away in Germany — always a big moment, even if it was 'just' a friendly. (135mm, ISO2500, 1/1250th, f2.8)
Eric Dier scores England’s winner in Berlin. It’s a fairly standard goal picture but it’s the moment England came from behind to win away in Germany — always a big moment, even if it was 'just' a friendly. (135mm, ISO2500, 1/1250th, f2.8)
Mark Noble walks out before his testimonial. I feel the photo tells the story quite well: the ‘Home’ sign, his kids, bubbles, and his glance over to his wife and manager Slaven Bilic. (70mm, ISO400, 1/640th, f4)
Mark Noble walks out before his testimonial. I feel the photo tells the story quite well: the ‘Home’ sign, his kids, bubbles, and his glance over to his wife and manager Slaven Bilic. (70mm, ISO400, 1/640th, f4)
Spot a theme yet? Taylor Tombides pays tribute to his late brother Dylan Tombides after scoring during Noble’s testimonial. A poignant moment during an otherwise lighthearted day. (500mm, ISO500, 1/1000th, f4)
Spot a theme yet? Taylor Tombides pays tribute to his late brother Dylan Tombides after scoring during Noble’s testimonial. A poignant moment during an otherwise lighthearted day. (500mm, ISO500, 1/1000th, f4)
As a West Ham fan I tried to make it down to the Boleyn as much as possible to capture it before it was gone forever. Here’s a few of my favourite photos shot at the Swansea and Arsenal matches.
As a West Ham fan I tried to make it down to the Boleyn as much as possible to capture it before it was gone forever. Here’s a few of my favourite photos shot at the Swansea and Arsenal matches.
Sean Dyche celebrates Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League. Steadycam doing their usual best to block photographers. (17mm, ISO1600, 1/800th, f4)
Sean Dyche celebrates Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League. Steadycam doing their usual best to block photographers. (17mm, ISO1600, 1/800th, f4)
West Ham fans celebrate at the final whistle of the last ever match at the Boleyn. I applied for accreditation but I was refused, so not wanting to miss out on the last match I bought a ticket and shot this from my seat at the final whistle. (16mm, ISO2500, 1/640th, f4)
West Ham fans celebrate at the final whistle of the last ever match at the Boleyn. I applied for accreditation but I was refused, so not wanting to miss out on the last match I bought a ticket and shot this from my seat at the final whistle. (16mm, ISO2500, 1/640th, f4)
Jurgen Klopp and a Liverpool fan celebrate their goal during the UEFA Europa League Final in Basel. I was at the wrong end for everything during the match and a broken ethernet adapter meant I struggled to send anything out either, but looking back there are a few frames I’m pleased with. (400mm, ISO3200, 1/200th, f2.8 & 70mm, ISO2000, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Jurgen Klopp and a Liverpool fan celebrate their goal during the UEFA Europa League Final in Basel. I was at the wrong end for everything during the match and a broken ethernet adapter meant I struggled to send anything out either, but looking back there are a few frames I’m pleased with. (400mm, ISO3200, 1/200th, f2.8 & 70mm, ISO2000, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Sevilla’s José Antonio Reyes celebrates with the Europa League trophy. (16mm, ISO3200, 1/800th, f4)
Sevilla’s José Antonio Reyes celebrates with the Europa League trophy. (16mm, ISO3200, 1/800th, f4)
Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the Champions League trophy. Again, I was at the wrong end for both goals but some nice celes at the end made up for it. (105mm, ISO3200, 1/1250th, f3.5)
Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the Champions League trophy. Again, I was at the wrong end for both goals but some nice celes at the end made up for it. (105mm, ISO3200, 1/1250th, f3.5)
Often confetti can ruin a trophy photo but in this case it hid a messy background and made for a nice photo. (200mm, ISO3200, 1/1000th, f3.5)
Often confetti can ruin a trophy photo but in this case it hid a messy background and made for a nice photo. (200mm, ISO3200, 1/1000th, f3.5)
Euro 2016 opening ceremony at Stade de France. (8.5mm, ISO1600, 1/200th, f8)
Euro 2016 opening ceremony at Stade de France. (8.5mm, ISO1600, 1/200th, f8)
Payet controls the ball. I shot this within the first 10 minutes of the opening match and it’s probably my favourite action photo I shot the whole tournament. (200mm, ISO2500, 1/1000th, f4)
Payet controls the ball. I shot this within the first 10 minutes of the opening match and it’s probably my favourite action photo I shot the whole tournament. (200mm, ISO2500, 1/1000th, f4)
Russia fans attack England fans after the match. I was hesitant to include this as it’s not a ‘favourite’ photo due to the content, but it’s one of the most important I shot this year. (400mm, ISO2500, 1/800th, f2.8)
Russia fans attack England fans after the match. I was hesitant to include this as it’s not a ‘favourite’ photo due to the content, but it’s one of the most important I shot this year. (400mm, ISO2500, 1/800th, f2.8)
Northern Ireland’s Conor Washington tries an overhead kick. (500mm, ISO1250, 1/1600th, f4)
Northern Ireland’s Conor Washington tries an overhead kick. (500mm, ISO1250, 1/1600th, f4)
Portugal’s Nani celebrates scoring against Iceland. (70mm, ISO1600, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Portugal’s Nani celebrates scoring against Iceland. (70mm, ISO1600, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski celebrates scoring against Ukraine. (500mm, ISO2000, 1/1600th, f4)
Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski celebrates scoring against Ukraine. (500mm, ISO2000, 1/1600th, f4)
Ashley Williams and Kyle Lafferty compete for the ball. It’s interesting how when looking back, so many of my favourite photos from the Euros were shot from the tribune. (600mm, ISO500, 1/3200th, f4)
Ashley Williams and Kyle Lafferty compete for the ball. It’s interesting how when looking back, so many of my favourite photos from the Euros were shot from the tribune. (600mm, ISO500, 1/3200th, f4)
Gareth Bale celebrates with his daughter Alba after beating Northern Ireland. (600mm, ISO1250, 1/800th, f4)
Gareth Bale celebrates with his daughter Alba after beating Northern Ireland. (600mm, ISO1250, 1/800th, f4)
The sun sets on England’s Euro 2016 campaign as they bow out to Iceland. (12mm, ISO2000, 1/1000th, f4)
The sun sets on England’s Euro 2016 campaign as they bow out to Iceland. (12mm, ISO2000, 1/1000th, f4)
Full time as Iceland deservedly progress against England. (100mm, ISO3200, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Full time as Iceland deservedly progress against England. (100mm, ISO3200, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Gareth Bale celebrates Wales reaching the semi-final. (80mm, ISO2500, 1/200th, f2.8)
Gareth Bale celebrates Wales reaching the semi-final. (80mm, ISO2500, 1/200th, f2.8)
The Iceland fans were all brilliant but I loved this little guy. (400mm, ISO1600, 1/800th, f3.5)
The Iceland fans were all brilliant but I loved this little guy. (400mm, ISO1600, 1/800th, f3.5)
Hugo Lloris saves from Thomas Mueller. I really wanted a good remote pic from the Stade Velodrome as the roof is incredible, so I was pleased when in my last game there I looked at the back of the camera and saw this— it’s a shame the net was so thick but you can’t have it all. (21mm, ISO2500, 1/800th, f4)
Hugo Lloris saves from Thomas Mueller. I really wanted a good remote pic from the Stade Velodrome as the roof is incredible, so I was pleased when in my last game there I looked at the back of the camera and saw this— it’s a shame the net was so thick but you can’t have it all. (21mm, ISO2500, 1/800th, f4)
Portugal celebrate winning Euro 2016. (400mm, ISO2500, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Portugal celebrate winning Euro 2016. (400mm, ISO2500, 1/1600th, f2.8)
Back from the Euros, I ventured to the ~Olympic~ London Stadium for West Ham’s first match against Domzale. (24mm, ISO1250, 1/800th, f4)
Back from the Euros, I ventured to the ~Olympic~ London Stadium for West Ham’s first match against Domzale. (24mm, ISO1250, 1/800th, f4)
England warm up before their qualifier in Slovakia. (16mm, ISO500, 1/2500th, f4)
England warm up before their qualifier in Slovakia. (16mm, ISO500, 1/2500th, f4)
Adam Lallana celebrates his last minute winner in Slovakia. I was the furthest out which meant I could lean right over the barrier to get a clean full length shot — a lot of the photographers inside me were blocked or had to shoot it half length. (153mm, ISO2500, 1/1600th, f3.2)
Adam Lallana celebrates his last minute winner in Slovakia. I was the furthest out which meant I could lean right over the barrier to get a clean full length shot — a lot of the photographers inside me were blocked or had to shoot it half length. (153mm, ISO2500, 1/1600th, f3.2)
Fernando, Nicolas Otamendi and Luis Suarez clash during Manchester City’s Champions League win against Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium. (300mm, ISO2000, 1/1250th, f2.8)
Fernando, Nicolas Otamendi and Luis Suarez clash during Manchester City’s Champions League win against Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium. (300mm, ISO2000, 1/1250th, f2.8)
In September, I started shooting for Hull City on behalf of Focus Images. Hull have been on the end of a lot of defeats but some good celebrations from Robert Snodgrass have given me some decent photos at least.
In September, I started shooting for Hull City on behalf of Focus Images. Hull have been on the end of a lot of defeats but some good celebrations from Robert Snodgrass have given me some decent photos at least.
Michael Dawson celebrates his winner against Southampton. Shooting for the club has given me a bit more flexibility on where I can place remotes so I’ve been putting one up in the stands. It’s not worked out very often but occasionally it produces some nice photos. (80mm, ISO2000, 1/500th, f6.3)
Michael Dawson celebrates his winner against Southampton. Shooting for the club has given me a bit more flexibility on where I can place remotes so I’ve been putting one up in the stands. It’s not worked out very often but occasionally it produces some nice photos. (80mm, ISO2000, 1/500th, f6.3)