FA 'sees sense' over teen photographers, says club

A non-league football club boss said a Football Association branch had "seen sense", after making a U-turn over its decision to stop two teenage photographers taking pictures at a cup final.

Dereham Town said there had been "public outcry" after its online post about how the boys would not be allowed pitch-side due to their age, at this Sunday's Norfolk Senior Cup match at Carrow Road.

Club chairman Daniel McIlwrath said "we're obviously delighted" at the turnaround by Norfolk FA, "not just for us, but for the young boys themselves".

He added the boys would be allowed to attend with chaperones. When originally contacted by the BBC about the situation, Norfolk FA said it would not be commenting.

Budding photographers - Matt, 14, and Jenson, 16 - have been taking photos of their local team since the start of the season, with the images uploaded to the Magpies' Instagram and Facebook accounts.

McIlwrath said the club and boys were upset when they found out they would not be permitted to document the season's highlight against Mulbarton Wanderers.

He said he was told it was due to Norfolk FA's safeguarding policies, as they were under the age of 18, but added he was relieved by the latest decision.

"They are lovely boys and they go above and beyond as volunteers - they're really passionate about photography," he said.

"They deserve this opportunity and I'm really glad the FA have seen sense with it, not bullishly gone down a safeguarding blackhole, and they're allowing the boys to come with chaperones.

"Football clubs are huge organisations and you need people in multiple roles to be able to achieve success - having these guys, their skillset is in photography, and we can give them a platform to do that.

"It's really great the FA have seen - whatever your age - that shouldn't be a deterrent."

McIlwrath, who took over as chairman six months ago, said Matt and Jenson had been photographing the Magpies' games across Norfolk and Suffolk - and had either been travelling with their parents or on the club's coach.

The chairman is part of a consortium, including ex-Norwich player Grant Holt, which bought Dereham Town two years ago. The team currently plays in the Eastern Counties Premier Division.

He said the amateur photographers had been recruited as part of a push to get more youngsters and people from the community involved and volunteering at the club.

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