Dear Santa...

...can I have a nice framed picture of Feethams to remind me of the good old glory days please? I've been a good boy all year (honest!).

Well, maybe glory days is putting a bit strongly except in all but the most optimistic of mindsets but certainly a happier time for many of us.

(left) Feethams and the old barrel stand captured by Stuart Clarke

And with the recent news that planning permission has been granted for the construction of 146 homes on the site, it's even more poignant, even if the ground is now a bit of a wasteland.

No doubt with Christmas in mind I recently received a mailshot from my old chum Stuart Clarke at the Homes of Football in which he's offering some of his Darlo prints for sale at very reasonable prices.

Stuart has been taking photographs at matches for many years - from non-league to World Cups - not so much of the the action on the field but beautiful shots of the grounds and the crowds - with many taken before the recent mania for ground redevelopment.

I suspect most will have seen his photos without knowing it - the recent spate of billboard and magazine adverts for ESPN's Premier League coverage all featured his work.

I've been a fan of his for many years and have several pieces at home on the walls - we even have one of Millmoor to keep Liz sweet!

(right) The faces say it all - we're back - that goal at Welling

They're an ideal stocking filler and pictures are available as limited edition gi-clee prints or crystal archive/cibachrome prints.

GiClee dye-based prints are produced in-house at Ambleside by Clarke printed on board to 10x8 inches at £45 + £5 post (inc. a signed window-mount) or 22x18 inches (four times the size) at £95 + £15 post.

Stuart can frame either size at twice the given prices in the three quality frames we offer (grand totals would be £90 / £190 + £25 post in either case). The wooden frames are light brown, dark brown, almost black.

All pictures are landscape-shaped which especially suits shots like this showing Feethams from the open end:


If you're feeling flush there are crystal/chrome prints - exhibition quality - which are very much collectors’ collectors-editions. Prices are from £275 to £3,000 for limited to one or two of each title (as opposedto 50 in the gi-clee formats).

If anyone is interested in suggesting to their loved one that they get their order in now, don't bother Santa - just contact Stuart by email at stuart@homesoffootball.co.uk or by phone on 015394 34440.

All photographs (c) Stuart Clarke