After the demise of United in the late 1980's, Dick found other things to occupy his mind whilst the following years found me following the new tenants of the Pilot Field, Hastings Town. Unfortunately I had always been a Claret & Blue (United) supporter, and my following of Town was more of an obligation than a true allegiance.

Stamco Football Club were a local club on the ascendancy and had just been promoted to Division 1 of the Sussex County League. They had just moved into the top pitch at the Pilot Field, latterly called "The Firs", next door to Hastings Town. They had spent a considerable amount renovating the ground which had previously been home of Hastings Town when they were in the Sussex County League. (Hastings Town took the place of Hastings United in the Southern League and moved down the road to the Pilot Field).

In that first season at the Firs in 1994, a chance conversation with someone on the staff at Stamco Football Club prior to their FA Vase 2^nd round tie at home to Leatherhead, led to us videoing this game.

I had always had an interest in video but only had an old SHARP camcorder and a tripod to my name. This operated using VHS-C tapes (The little VHS tapes which are now becoming more and more difficult to obtain). Dick has always had similar interests to me, which ranged from programming computers to making video. He also had a camcorder and tripod but also had a full-size Panasonic camcorder (monster), that had great picture quality, but it wouldn't record for some reason.

We decided that by using this monster Panasonic camcorder along with his little Sony 8mm and my little Sharp VHS-C and your common garden VCR, we may be able to produce something that looked like a football video.

"We decided that…. we may be able to produce something that looked like a football video."

" As the game went on we began to realise that it was not just a matter of pointing the camera more or less the direction of play"

We erected the portable scaffolding under the tiny stand at Stamco FC and rigged up something that most would be frightened to put 240 volts through. However, it worked and we actually got pictures onto tape.

The next snag was the sudden realisation that we had never ever videoed a football match before. Sure, we had watched Match Of The Day hundreds of times, but only for the football, not for how the cameraman films it!

As the game went on we began to realise that it was not just a matter of pointing the camera more or less the direction of play….. that zoom control was there for a reason. Subsequently the first half of that game was filmed almost entirely without using the zoom, with the players looking about half-a-mile away on the screen. The penalty awarded towards the end of the second half was a complete mystery as the camera was so far away, nobody could discern anything.

In the second half and by the time we realised that this wasn't as easy as first seemed, we decided that since we had three camcorders, we would both video the second half. This worked much better and in the end, three of the four goals were scored in the second half after which we had become slightly better football cameramen.

Our equipment was basic and the quality, by today's standards was decidedly "iffy". However, the club appreciated our efforts and having got the taste for videoing football we decided to watch Match Of The Day for the camerawork and presentation rather than the football.

Our second attempt at videoing a football match was much better and although our equipment was basic, the game was so sensational that nobody cared about the quality too much. Stamco v Tiverton Town in the 4^th round of the FA Vase was to turn out something of a legend in non-league footballing terms. Little did we know at that time that this was to be a gem. It was somewhat fortunate because it fuelled our enthusiasm for vidoeing non-league football.

"....we decided to watch Match Of The Day for the camerawork and presentation rather than the football."

" Since 1994 we have between us videoed some 200 non-league games at all levels below football league."

The only other game during that first season we videoed was Stamco's final home Sussex County League game of the season against Wick.

That first season of videoing is featured on out video TIVERTON PLUS and features the entire game against Tiverton plus excerpts from the Stamco games videoed that season. Some of the excerpts have never before been released before. The Firs looked so different in those days.

Since that time we have (arguably) gone from strength to strength. The technical quality of our videos has improved by upgrading from standard formats through high band formats to the current digital formats. Our graphical information has improved, as has our mastering.

Since 1994 we have between us videoed some 200 non-league games at all levels below football league.

We are not a business in any way and do this mainly for fun and to give football clubs at levels below football league an opportunity to have a game videoed, a facility that otherwise they may not be able to afford. The majority of the proceeds from sales go to the football club concerned. The rest of the profit we plough 100% back into equipment.

Over the coming months this site will feature "A rough Guide to Videoing Your Local Team" to encorage others to get out and video their team. We started very basic. You only need a camcorder and a tripod to video your own local side. Get out there and get their games on tape.

"You only need a camcorder and a tripod to video your own local side."