It is hard to resist these two subjects for many and Derek Taylors' new zines explore each in turn. The recent publications of 32 page A5 glossy prints are lovely to touch and well produced as well as having some great pictures in them - a good reason to purchase any zine. So let's have a look at each in turn.

Football Is Life (40 photographs. Full colour)

This started out as a personal project to visit grounds that Derek had never visited before. Looking for a different angle, he decided to check fixtures and attend local derby matches as a neutral across the North of England. He felt this gave him the opportunity to talk to fans of both clubs more openly. He bought tickets and always went in the home end behind the goal to try experience the best atmosphere. The one game that he wasn’t a neutral at was when a friend who has a season ticket at Leeds United offered Derek his brother’s ticket for their match against Huddersfield Town. He bravely went in the home end as an away fan (but kept his mouth shut). That was their last match before the first Covid lockdown, and seemed a good point for him to end the project.

Beer Festival (29 photographs. Mono with one full colour)

Derek writes, "As a CAMRA member, I had photographed the Hull Real Ale Festival a couple of times. I decided to take my camera to a couple of other festivals (Sheffield and Grimsby) to document the volunteers and drinkers who make the events happen and to show the variety of venues where beer festivals are held; a minster, an industrial museum, and a room above a club. Hopefully I captured the atmosphere of being there as a ‘punter’." Personally I think you did, Derek.

It is also worth an early heads up for a tour in which some of Derek's photographs will be featured.  The Football Art Prize will open at Touchstones Rochdale and online and then tour to The Millennium Gallery, Sheffield and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. (Touchstones Rochdale Open to the public from Saturday 12th March to 26th June 2022 with a private view on 11th  March. Then at The Millenium Gallery Sheffield from July to October 2022 (open to the public). Finally at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens from November 2022 until February 2023.)

Both zines are for sale and full details can be found here and at £6.00 each these are a bargain... You can explore more about Derek and his work too by seeing the sites below.

Website: www.derektaylorphoto.com

Instagram: @derektaylorphoto

Twitter: derektphoto

Facebook: derektaylorphoto