Keswick Lad

Back in the distant days of the early 1980′s Britain was in economic meltdown.  Over 3 million people were unemployed and I was one of them.  Maggie Thatcher was in charge and we were heading towards the Miners strike.  Thinking about it, the country is in a similar state today but I am definitely not and there is one main reason for that – a man called Paul Delmar.

I first met Paul at Richmond College in Sheffield in September 1982.  He was going to teach me to be a press photographer.  I had already dropped out of one college course but nine months of doing the ‘full monty’ dole office queue scene had given me the determination and drive to make sure there were no more mistakes.  This was my big chance and fate had dealt me the perfect hand with Paul Delmar.

Paul was the most enthusiastic person I had ever met.  His passion for photography was unbelievable, he was driven by trying to be the best press photographer and beating every other photographer every day – I was hooked.

He was the most amazing teacher because he never actually told you anything.  He just wound you up and sent you out to discover things for yourself.  But he also filled you with the desire to succeed and to be the best – even against a classroom of 13 friends.  It was always ‘dog eat dog’ with Paul and that also appealed to me.

Over the years I have tried to keep in touch and I have seen the same enthusiasm inspire hundreds of great photographers.  His courses must have taught over 1000 photographers.  From that about 95% have found jobs in the industry – it must be one of the most successful courses in the world.  He has taught people who are now picture editors, national newspaper staff photographers, British Press Awards winners and he picked up a few awards himself along the way.

In recent years changes to government education funding has caused problems for the course.  The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) has not been able to secure a status for the course which would provide the required funding.  It is a national disgrace that this course cannot be funded – particularly when you consider the success rate and some of the more ridiculous alternative courses available today.  This is the only specialist course for press photographers in Britain – it is not another media studies course.

Earlier this year Paul agreed to take redundancy in an attempt to cut the cost of running the course.  It was decided that the course could no longer justify a full-time tutor.

When Paul announced that he was leaving the rumour mill fired into action.  Various websites and trade press ran stories saying that Paul was retiring and that the course was closing.  The NCTJ stood back and watched as the rumours almost killed the course, they refused to issue any statements and just passed everything on to the Sheffield College.  Why the NCTJ are not fighting to save this course is a mystery.  The media industry has never been more visual than it is today but the NCTJ does not appear to want to run a press photography course in 2010-11.

Paul and his family have given everything to press photography.  They have all lived for his desire to produce the next batch of great photographers.  The newspaper industry owes a great deal to Paul Delmar and his family.  It would have been nice if he could have walked away from the college knowing that his course was safe, but that has not been the case.  It has still not been decided if the course will run even though students have been interviewed in the past few weeks.

On Friday 30th July Paul leaves Sheffield College.  No events have been planned to mark the event, but  I will be popping along to buy him a drink or two and thank him on behalf of every photographer who attended his courses.  Paul Delmar will always be a legend and I wish him well with his future projects and thank him for rescuing me from that dole queue.

Cheers Beers Mr Delmar !!!

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Nothing much surprises me in life any more.  In my job I have seen most things from disasters to freaks of nature.  The variety makes the job so interesting.

But I must admit it does get to me that our new breed of TV and media sports pundits all appear to be the blokes who never quite made the most of their talent, if they had any at all.  Suddenly these guys are telling our modern stars where they are going wrong.  It seems to me that failure and scandal gets rewarded in TV these days.  John Terry and Ashley Cole must be next in line !

A few days ago Chris Waddle, the man who bottled more penalties in big games than most, was complaining about Theo Walcott.

Now I remember Waddle as the bloke who looked like he was in pain every time he stepped onto a football pitch.  The head was down and he looked like it was all a big chore.  He was so ‘one footed’ it was unbelievable.

Waddle also missed penalties in the World Cup semi-final and a few other big games.  The last time I photographed him he was playing for Worksop Town in front of 500 people and three dogs.  The same Chris Waddle this week told us all how he spent hours working on his ‘weak side’.  It was a shame he never took penalties, or pelanties as Waddle calls them, with his weak side right foot !

Then we have Stanley Collymore, the man who was world class with a fire extinguisher and then developed a passion for ‘dogging’.  Stan was actually one of the best players I have ever seen but he could not handle the pressure.  What a waste of talent, but at least he had some.  How can he criticise people after the mistakes he has made in his life ?

Garry Birtles is another former superstar.  He might have won two European Cups with Nottingham Forest but he is best remembered by some for failing to score a goal for months after signing for Manchester United.

I have photographed Garry several times, including during his failed stint as manager of Gresley Rovers.  On our first meeting he brought out all his medals and trophies.  I said I had seen him play a lot.  He gave a big smile and asked which games.  “The first 30 odd at United,” I replied.  The smile disappeared instantly !

Cheeky cockney chappy Jamie Redknapp is another fine example.  Why do Sky employ a man who struggles to speak good English ?

The latest to join the line of ‘experts’ is good old Robbie Savage.  Now I like Robbie as a footballer – he gives his all, and fans, like me, enjoy seeing that – but Robbie ‘the expert’ leaves a lot to be desired.  I had the pleasure of photographing Robbie for his début newspaper column last year

Robbie arrived late, as usual for a footballer, with the opening line: “I have got five minutes, what do you want ?”

“We need some pictures for your new column.  I need some portraits and then what ever you are going to write about,” I said.

“I don’t know what I am writing about,” replied Robbie.

“It is your column, what have you talked about ?” I said.

“No idea.  Just take a few pictures,” said the football expert.

Sports star to TV star in one easy sentence !