Away from work I am a keen sports fan. A born and bred lifelong Somerset CCC supporter. A regular at Anfield and a trans-Atlantic member of “Red Sox nation”. I am also a keen photographer and enjoy gardening and reading.
I was born next to the County Ground in Taunton and was taken to Somerset games as a baby in the 60s. Apparently my Mum had to take me home on more than one occasions as my screaming was spoiling everyone else’s enjoyment.
I made my debut proper at The County Ground in June 1970 and experienced several years of lows before the era “Richards, Garner, Botham” era. My Dad and I were at Lords in 1979 when Somerset won their first every trophy. Without doubt a day and memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Despite moving away from Somerset in my early 20s I have maintained my support for my team travelling all over the country to follow them over what has been an almost 50- year roller coaster ride.
Football was more complicated coming from the West Country. My Dad was treasurer of Taunton Town in the 70s, only occasionally did we got to see Exeter City so my top-flight football journey did not begin until an
evening in May 1977 when a Tommy Smith header in the 1977 European Cup Final started my journey with Liverpool FC.
I love living in a community that breathes football as much as my birthplace does cricket.
I am also a keen baseball fan having followed the Boston Red Sox since the 1986 World Series. The Red Sox were at that time capable of losing in the most gut-wrenching manner which is what I think drew me to follow them. I am lucky enough to have worked in and visited Boston a number of occasions and seen many games at Fenway Park.
Strange to think that the owners of a team that was once called the Boston Somersets are now the owners of Liverpool FC.
I have just started writing for The Anfield Wrap and made my podcast debut in March. My first two articles have focussed on the similarities and differences between the football and baseball clubs.
My other passion is photography. That website Full Slide Photography is currently undergoing a facelift.
I have been a keen photographer most of my life and for a while ran a separate hobby as a sports photographer, focussing principally on cricket and rowing. I successfully completed an Open University course on Digital imagining and Photography last year.
I write extensively about Somerset cricket on Somerset North and more generally on Across The Line and recently had my first piece published in Wisden’s The Nightwatchman.