He travelled on the supporters bus to Stalybridge for what was described as the biggest game of Lancaster City’s 95-year history: the Uni-bond League Challenge Cup final on April 11.
“I’d rather be a City than a Town,’ the 200 or so Lancaster fans taunted Worksop Town who came up with far cruder and far louder chants from across the pitch,” Dave wrote in the diary for his millennium project – A Little English City.
“The first half was slow. A wet pitch and some awful passing left both teams with hardly a shot on goal. Switching to the other end at half time, the action started with more determination.”
Eventually, Lancaster scored and hung on until the end of the match, winning 1-0.
“We dashed onto the pitch as if it was Wembley. I snapped the jubilant players and got the cup-lifting football shot every photographer dreams of.”
A fortnight later and Dave was at the home of Lancaster City FC, the Giant Axe, but this time to cover the William Smith Festival, traditionally held at Easter, and which attracted 17 schools in 2000.
“In between downpours of rain we watched as young boys and girls (at least one per team) thrashed it out in the mud. I was impressed by the football and managed to get a few frames too.”
All photographs taken by Dave for A Little English City can be viewed online at https://djclark.com/2000/ and copies of his book, are available to order at https://www.nextnorth.com/product/a-little-english-city/
1. 25 years on Lancaster City FC
The victorious Lancaster City FC team of 2000. Photo by DJ Clark. Photo: DJ Clark
2. 25 years on Lancaster City FC
We won! Lancaster City FC are victorious in 2000 and the moment is captured by Dave Clark. Photo: DJ Clark
3. 25 years on Lancaster City FC
Lancaster City FC supporters travelled to Stalybridge for the cup final in 2000. Photo by DJ Clark. Photo: DJ Clark
4. 25 years on Lancaster City FC
Photographer Dave Clark capturing one of Lancaster City FC's most important matches in 2000. Photo: DJ Clark