Not what I was expecting from an afternoon of Marple wedding photography…

When I was booked for an afternoon of Marple wedding photography at The Crown – a lovely Robinson’s pub under ace new management – I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. And in fact for the majority of it, everything went by the book: a lovely ceremony for a lovely couple, the first nice weather in weeks, and friends and family having a grand time.

But for the friends of the groom – about 400 miles away from responsibilities and having a smashing weekend thus far – spilled out onto Hawk Green. And when you put that many lads together next to a football pitch…

No kits or boots? No problem. Shirts vs. suits, dress shoes for everyone. Fuelled by many pints, it turned into a very decent match to be fair.

As a sports photographer too, I was made up. The groom thought better than to get involved, though he did watch on and offer advice. In the end it went to next-goal-wins, and shirts bagged the winner. I think. Back to the bar!