On The Edge

A significant picture, even if it doesn't look anything special. Having seen this woman walking along the beach at the water's edge (extra pic) I plucked up the courage to ask if she minded if I took her picture for my 'On The Edge' series. Might well be the first time I have asked a completely random stranger out and about if I could take their picture. I have asked strangers before if I could take their picture but it has always been in a context that gave me some sort of status - working at a conference, or even just acting as the semi-official photographer for the Art Walk. And of course, this is a particular sort of 'portrait' - a shot from behind without seeing the person's face. I did remember to ask if she wanted a more conventional picture as well but she said no, this was ideal. She said she might have agreed to be photographed if my project had been more conventional one involving faces but this was perfect for her.
Something else I haven't done before, or at least not done for more than fifty years, will probably happen tonight, watching the football. Rather than settling down and hoping that England lose the football, I am certainly close to neutrality and just may be coming down on the side of England. It has always been a calculation. My personal history growing up in Scotland with English parents meant my early football identity was English so as a six-year-old in 1970, the first World Cup I can remember, I was supporting England. As I got older and started to develop my own identity I decided I was Scottish (it remains my view of nationality, certainly administratively - if you want to live here and commit to my country then you should be entitled to all the same rights as someone born here). All that has happened lately is that the current England team and its excellent manager have encouraged me to think differently. Many of the negative factors remain - the jingoistic media, the assumption on our TV coverage that 'we' are thinking the same thing about the game, the worry that the little Englander, Brexiteer, imperialist English exceptionalism will be encouraged, the boorish behaviour of elements of the English support. However on the positive side, as well as the things that have always been there - the friends and relatives who I know will enjoy the victory, the memories of football supporting relatives who didn't live to see England's men in another major football final - there are the words and actions of Gareth Southgate and his young team. They have stood up, or knelt, for themselves and the causes they believe in. Often in the teeth of disapproval from their own fans, elements of the media and right wing politicians. And one of the key players in the team, Kalvin Phillips, plays for my 'English team' Leeds United. In fact the team make-up, without the cliques from two big teams has been a part of their success.
I have seen some people saying that Scots supporting Italy as 'Anyone But England' is just the football thing to do, just like you would never support your local rivals. I don't think I agree. By all means pick a team - as a spectator I think it does help in engaging with the sporting drama and frequently it isn't even a conscious decision. Without the emotional baggage I carry as a long term football fan that decision might only happen after the action has started. I notice that in particular when watching other sports I don't know much about - rooting for the underdog or the team that appears to be playing in a way I personally find more pleasing - more flair, more organised defending, it could be a variety of things. In football there is more history involved but there are still other teams I would rather see lose in a game with local rivals Dundee - either of the Old Firm, Hearts, Aberdeen, Hibs for a start - unless of course it's a league match and Dundee's success would impact my team Dundee United's fortunes.
So, on balance, tonight I would be happy to see England win. Especially if it encourages this team to play to their attacking strengths in the future. I understand the reason for their cautious approach. They aren't alone: international football tends to be more cautious as there simply isn't the same time to work on team tactics that there is in club football. However, when they do push forward they can play very exciting football. It will be an interesting contest with Italy, a similar team in many ways that has also turned things around with a new manager and a good squad of players.