Johno Ramsay is Hearts through and through. From day dot he’s called Tynecastle home, side-by-side with his father, Eno, until the latter’s sudden passing in 2021. In the years since, grief and love have intertwined in all things maroon. Leaving Johno struggling to reconnect with the Jambos.
This season, that all changed.
Gorgie now sits on the edge of glory. One game away from a first league title in 66 years and getting over the line would mean another outing for Johno and Eno. An opportunity to feel connected once more - a fairytale run providing a cathartic release.
📸+✍️: @__matthew.thomas
Award-winning.
I’m delighted to learn that Grainger Market has claimed a Silver Award at the Design Business Association (DBA) celebration at The National Gallery in London this week – mixing it with household names such as Canon and Heineken.
This project is special to me because of the connection the work created among traders, people nearby, and visitors from far away. It reminded people – myself included – that authenticity and identity are very much alive. You just need to look more closely and wander further to find them in this day and age.
Those trips traipsing up Grey Street on a freezing February morning never felt too bad. I knew I’d soon be greeted with North East warmth and enveloped in a genuine world teeming with stories from real people. The openness, plus the occasional raw and deeply emotional conversations with traders, market staff, and visitors, always left a mark, especially in the early days as we tried to create momentum.
For me, the project quickly became something more than work. I’d spend longer there than I should. I’d do more than what was agreed. I’d think, create, and include extra things I believed would help the market, the traders, and the people interested in this place. I was totally encapsulated in the market and wanted to do right by the place, the city, and the community.
Looking back now, what a real privilege it was to be trusted with those stories. It gave us a platform to be bold, warm, and gritty with our visuals, and broad-shouldered, proud, and unashamed with our storytelling – characteristics of this grand place and the people in it.
A pleasure to do it with:
- @gavin.downey
- @clarehampton
- @charliewats0n
- & Gardiner Richardson team.
Rory Fallow is the voice of the Stadium of Light and the youngest PA Announcer in the 92.
A lifelong Sunderland fan and season ticket holder since the age of seven, he’s soundtracked some of the club’s greatest moments in recent times, from Dan Ballard’s extra-time winner in last year’s play-off semi to their monumental win in the Wear-Tyne Derby last December.
This is a look into the life of a Premier League PA announcer.
📸+✍️: @__matthew.thomas
“I feel like the drumming affects the football in a good way. I hope it gives the lads an adrenaline boost during the good parts and that it acts as support during the tougher moments.”
Kaden, or ‘Ski’ as he’s commonly known by match-going South Shields fans, lives two Metro stops away from his beloved club. Totally encapsulated by football, his life revolves around the game; he’s currently working as a referee and wants to be a professional footballer.
Alongside a select few others, he also drums up support for South Shields FC. Literally. It’s a calling that began in 2023 at his first game and soon developed into something more permanent for the 25/26 season.
His journey didn’t begin until he bumped into Ryan, the previous Shields drummaster. “I asked Ryan if I could have a go before kick-off. I have a background in music, so I was confident, but the thrill of drumming at a football game was different to any gig I’ve played.”
At the start of the 25/26 season, the drumsticks have been handed over to Kaden a few times alongside a snippet of advice: “Nothing half-hearted. Do your best, try your hardest and they’ll love ya.”
Kaden was unsure as to how he’d be perceived down at the riotous section of the ground - The Sima Shed - where loyalty and familiarity are the currency of acceptance. “The Sima Shed is full of the best people. I was welcomed with open arms. They made it a comfortable place to be.”
As Paul Blackett buried his 29th goal of the season to take Shields 2-0 up in 5 minutes, pandemonium ensued in the stands. The marching drum is pounded in a tribal manner as jumping, screaming and shouting run amok. The crowd responds with song and so do the players - charging into every tackle.
A good night for Kaden; a home win and another evening spent closer to the people and place he loves most.
📸 for the title chasers as they take on FA Cup giant killers.
• @southshieldsfc v @thesilkmen
• Gameweek 44, Enterprise National League North
• 1st Cloud Arena, South Shields
#nationalleague
Stillness at the Stadium of Light.
Lingering in the turnstiles, flowing through the stands and circling outside the Stadium of Light, this series looks at the small, decisive moments hiding in plain sight from the fury of the crowd and the frenzy of Premier League match days.
Eyes narrowing. Breathing controlled. Mind calmed. Time stands still regularly for the people in these frames. Gasps drawn and hands gripped, as professional athletes burdened with hope, desperation and expectation bear the weight of 46,000 in every huge millisecond.
Recent work of @thehoipolloiuk team in action in the city and by the ocean.
Exploring the notion of restraint and removing colour from certain shots, drawing more attention to textures, shadows and contrast to emphasise single split second moments.
Featuring:
@jack_regan_hair@ashgibbins_hair@nck_barber@samuelhickey_
Invited along to cover a top of the table clash.
Gritty. Cold. Proper.
• @southshieldsfc v AFC Fylde
• Gameweek 34, Enterprise National League North
• 1st Cloud Arena, South Shields
