Dartford’s match against Mansfield Town was televised by Premier Sports. Premier Sports was formed in 2009 by the Irish businessman Michael O’Rourke. Although Setanta is still available in Ireland, its not in the UK, so Premier Sports has taken over televising events since the collapse of Setanta Sports GB on 22 June 2009 and not picked up by rival sports broadcasters such as ESPN and Sky Sports. Its a subscribe channel, so it costs extra to view. You have to have Sky and pay £10 a month, or £90 a year extra to view. They came with all their equipment, self-sufficient. There was miles of cabling and a lot of last minute checking.
Premier Sports Producer
I caught this pre-match moment, a quirky trio, chap marking footballs, seems intrigued by the conversation between the Producer and Jack the Kit Man.
The Groundsman must’ve worked overtime on making Princes Park pitch look beautiful for its 90 minutes of fame.
Princes Park pitch
The TV cameras were set up on scaffolding around the pitch, keeping walkways clear underneath.
TV camera on standby
They set up furry microphones around the pitch and a cameraman behind the Dartford-end goal.
Camera man
He didn’t look too comfortable sat on a hard metal box. You can see the cabling and equipment needed to get this stuff to work. My little remote-fired camera in the foreground looks dwarfed by all this hi-tech stuff.
I caught a shot of a supporter’s scarf in the first half.
Dartford FC scarf
I have to say, the action in the first half was less than awesome. Lots of spectators were making their way to the bar about five minutes before the end of the first half. It was colder than of late, and I was feeling it too. But then, in the dying seconds of extra time in the first half, Dartford scored not one, but TWO goals, putting them ahead. Those who left missed it, unless they were watching the TV in the bar!
Screaming fans
Of course, no match around Halloween would be complete without some fancy dress. One fan wearing a Scream mask.
There were 1700+ supporters, loads of noise from the crowd. The Team were on form, Ryan Hayes got ‘Man of the Match’. A piece of history for Dartford FC.
Premier Sports will be televising matches throughout the season and all five play-off matches. Let’s hope Dartford can keep up there and be in the play-offs in May.
