Steven Taylor was a respected referee until he decided to hang up his whistle, and now he can be found behind the camera at Charnock Richard.
Football has always been the centre of Steven’s world, whether as a player in his youth, a level four referee, or a club photographer, you simply cannot keep him away from the beautiful game. Based in Preston, Steven is a highly recognisable face in the Lancashire football scene through his various roles, and he has no plans of leaving any time soon.
“I stepped away from football completely for a couple of years,” Steven told Fen Regis Trophies. “I just thought that I needed another hobby.
“I was doing a lot of cycling, but I just thought I needed another hobby…so I asked my wife if she would buy me a camera, and she asked me why.
“I said I wanted to take pictures…I ended up doing a bit of Sunday league football photography for the Lancashire Sunday League.”
Taking up Photography
Before picking up a camera shortly before the Covid pandemic and the resulting lockdown, Steven had shown no interest in photography beforehand. He was learning very much on the job, but he was determined to be the best he could be.
“I’d not shown one bit of interest in photography,” Steven admitted. “I learned everything I know from the university of YouTube!
“I have seen every sports photography video on YouTube that you can imagine and I have listened to every sports photography podcast on iTunes and Spotify.
“I’ve been through them all. I search every week in the hope that there’s something else out there.”
Steven added: “I had never shown any interest, I just thought that I would do this…it was never supposed to get me back into football, but the way the stars aligned it did, and I am thankful for it.”
Charnock Richard
North West Counties Football League Premier Division side Charnock Richard made headlines earlier this year, claiming a play-off spot by winning an incredible six games in just nine days. It was a feat that didn’t go unnoticed in the footballing world, and Steven was pitchside to capture every moment of it.
The former referee joined Charnock Richard joined the Villagers in 2021, despite having reservations about committing to such a role. He hasn’t looked back.
“Just after Covid,” he said. “I got a message from a photographer from another North West Counties side, saying that Charnock Richard was after a photographer, asking if I would fancy it.
“I gave him my number, though I was wondering whether I really wanted the commitment of getting involved in something again…so I said we’ll see what happens, I’ll do a few games and wherever it takes me, it takes me.
“So, I did a couple of games, did the pictures and sent them in and I got all kinds of feedback from it, and it was all positive!”
Soon after, Steven was part of the committee at the non-league club and he will be starting his fourth season at Charnock Richard, and you can bet that there will be many more to come.
“I am so passionate about providing Charnock Richard’s supporters, committee, and players, from the first team through to the kids, with images they can see and pass on to grandkids in the future.
“It has been tough at times; I’ve been sitting at the side of the pitch in all kinds of weather…there have been times where I’ve not seen the ball from my end of the pitch because it’s been that bad.
“There have also been times, like this season for instance, where it’s been phenomenal.”
Despite a majestic run of six wins in nine days, Charnock Richard’s valiant promotion push came to an end at the hands of Bury FC in the play-off semi-finals, losing 1-0 at Gigg Lane in front of just over 4,000 fans.
“To be able to photograph in front of 4000 people was something different,” Steven said. “It’s been phenomenal and I feel a part of it.
“I attend training with them, photographing training – it’s so that people who don’t see the inside of the club get a view as to what goes on.
“The relaxed side of training, the serious side of training; the manager gives me access to whatever I want, whether that be during pre-season in the gym or after key games in the dressing room.”
“The relationship I have with the players, the spectators, and the committee at Charnock is something I never imagined I would have…that’s become a big, big part of me.”
After a short break, Steven will be diving into pre-season action at The Villagers ahead of the beginning of the new North West Counties Football League Premier Division season on Saturday 27 July.
From having barely taken a picture on a smartphone, Steven is now one of the most respected non-league football photographers in his county and takes great pride in the work he produces.
You can follow Steven’s work through his social media channels on Twitter/X and Instagram.
By Aaron Gratton
Great photos and more importantly a great bloke to know.