Vintage Barclays
In January 2014, Gabriel Agbonlahor collided with ad hoardings at Anfield, tumbling over the top of them. For a matter of seconds after hitting the ground on the other side, he remained out of sight of the TV cameras covering the game. He was not, however, safe from one Liverpool supporter on the front row, who decided to take a quick snap. Seven years on, that photo has been revealed…
What is timing?
The dictionary defines it as “the choice, judgement, or control of when something should be done”. There are a number of elements which come into our thinking when we decide on timing.
Am I ready? Is the world ready? What if I’m too early? What if I’m too late? Will I make a fool of myself? These are questions everyone has asked themselves.
Some people are impatient, but for others, some things are worth waiting for. Worth sitting on. This Liverpool fan is one such person. That’s because eight years ago he took a photograph, the act of which delighted people at the time, but the result of which he has sat on for years.
We do not know this man’s name, but we do know that, on January 18, 2014, Liverpool hosted Aston Villa at Anfield. The game finished 2-2 after early goals from Andreas Weimann and future Red Christian Benteke had given Villa a two-goal lead.
Agbonlahor has his picture taken
You may not remember it now, but something else happened in that game: Gabriel Agbonlahor fell over the advertising hoardings. It was the 29th minute, and a collision with Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel saw him flying over the boundary.
At this point commentator Alan Smith said “Somebody is taking a picture of him. Oh dear!”
Well, now, seven years on. We finally have that photograph.
It was posted online, which led to a prompt response from Agbonlahor who said: “Out of order.”
We still do not know the photographer’s name. Perhaps we never will. But his work of art is now out in the open after seven long years.
