So what happens when the host soccer team bans press photographers from covering the game? You hire a guy to sketch cartoons, of course. Here’s the horrific result when you stifle the free press. Don’t let it happen here. The villains are the Southampton Saints, which play in England’s League One, who want the press to purchase all photos of their games from a team-approved agency. Refusing to bow to that demand, the Plymouth Herald hired an artist to watch the Southampton-Plymouth game on TV and sketch the key plays for publication. Biggest drawback to this plan: Inaccurate word bubbles. I’m pretty sure the one here, “What a save!”, should actually be a random profanity.
Otherwise, well played.
Fortunately for all concerned, the cartoons never actually made the paper; the Plymouth team stepped in and provided photos from their own photographers, free of charge, for the press to use.
The Herald’s editor, Bill Martin, said: “It’s outrageous that a football club is blocking photographers from covering something which is of much interest and importance to many people.
“All credit to Argyle for putting the best interests of fans, their players and their sponsors first and publishing their own photographs.”
Had that solution not been found, The Herald was ready with Chris [Robinson's] drawings.
Chris said: “It was an interesting escapade.
“I’m a bit rusty as far as that sort of thing is concerned, but I used to do a lot as a kid.”
Chris said his style was inspired by comic strips such as Roy of the Rovers, and the result couldn’t have been scripted better.
Roy of the Rovers sample here.
I would have preferred Family Circus. (Replace caption with this):”Dad says soccer is for communists and homosexuals.”
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Cartoons after Southampton ban photographers from Argyle match [Plymouth Herald]
The Drawing Board [Sports Designer]
