Claret & amber in black & white photographs by Ian Beesley

Abstract

On the 9th May 1999 Bradford City was promoted to the Premiership later that month I was appointed artist in residence at Valley Parade with support from the then National museum of photography, film & television.
Over the course of the club's two seasons in the top flight I documented the highs and lows, but turned the camera away from the pitch and towards the fans. I tried to capture the full spectrum of footballing emotion, from desperation to ecstasy. This case study considers some of the problems I encountered undertaking such a project, the difficult transition from fan to photographer, from spectator to observer. The status of a social documentary photographer working in the world of sports photographers, and the relationship an artist/photographer can create with a club and its fans.
The work was exhibited over the course of the season at the national museum and published as a book later that year.