Photographers defy Storm Darragh to showcase stunning weekly selection

Over the weekend of December 7-8, 2024, Storm Darragh severely impacted various sports events across the UK, leading to the cancellation of multiple fixtures. The storm, which brought dangerously high winds with gusts reaching up to 93 mph, prompted the Met Office to issue a rare red weather warning. This specific warning indicated that there was a significant risk to life and property due to the intense weather conditions. One of the most notable casualties of the storm was the highly anticipated Merseyside derby, a key football match between Everton and Liverpool, which was scheduled to take place at Goodison Park. The postponement of this fixture not only affected players and fans but also the media coverage surrounding the event, including the plans of photographers Marc Aspland and Bradley Ormesher, who had aimed to capture the excitement surrounding matches at different levels of the football pyramid. With the derby canceled, their intended coverage for the weekend was compromised, leading to adjustments in their photographic endeavors. While Storm Darragh led to the reshaping of their plans, it also emphasized the unpredictable nature of football scheduling and media commitments. Consequently, many sports photographers had to adapt to the situation and find alternative subjects to photograph, which reflects the resilience and creativity often required in sports journalism when faced with unforeseen circumstances.