Ipswich Witches on Fire
Documenting the Ipswich Witches' historic British Speedway Premiership title victory after 27 years, capturing the championship journey, Grand Final celebrations, and civic recognition that followed.
Client
Ipswich Witches
Location
Foxhall Stadium & Ipswich Town Hall
Services
Challenge
Covering the entire championship journey and the Grand Final, requiring quick reflexes and anticipation to capture not just the dramatic race moments but also the emotions in the pits, energy in the stands, team unity and supporter pride. Additionally, delivering images live to social media channels while maintaining quality and storytelling.
Solution
Stephen's experience around speedway allowed him to move seamlessly between dramatic race moments and personal interactions. Working trackside with a blend of quick reflexes and anticipation, he captured the full narrative of the championship victory. Images were delivered live to the club's social media channels during the decisive night at Foxhall, enabling real-time coverage as the evening unfolded.
Result
The final collection of images from both the Grand Final and Town Hall reception now forms a key part of the Ipswich Witches' media presence. From social channels to website features, press articles and club publications, the photographs help tell the story of a long-awaited triumph and the community pride that came with it. Many images were picked up by local and national press, ensuring the club's achievement received the visibility it deserved.
A Historic Victory
October marked a historic moment for the Ipswich Witches as the team secured the British Speedway Premiership title for the first time in an incredible 27 years. Their victory over the Leicester Lions, achieved in the Grand Final, ignited a wave of excitement not only among supporters but across the entire Suffolk sporting community.
The Decisive Night at Foxhall
The climax came at Foxhall Stadium, where a packed crowd created an atmosphere unlike anything seen there in decades. Anticipation, nerves and sheer passion filled the air as the final points were won and the realisation set in: after nearly three decades, the Witches were champions once again. The celebrations that followed were a powerful mix of relief, pride and pure joy — moments that deserved to be captured in a way that reflected their significance.
Documenting the Championship Journey
Stephen was commissioned to cover the entire championship journey, including the Grand Final and the celebrations that followed. His role was not only to document the action on the track, but to tell the wider story: the emotions in the pits, the energy in the stands, the unity of the team and the pride of the supporters. Working at speedway requires a blend of quick reflexes and anticipation, and Stephen's experience around the sport allowed him to move seamlessly between the dramatic race moments and the personal interactions happening around them.
Live Coverage and Media Impact
Throughout the decisive night at Foxhall, his images were delivered live to the club's social media channels — enabling fans across the country to share in the excitement as the evening unfolded. Many of the photographs were also picked up by local and national press, ensuring the club's achievement received the visibility it deserved. The immediacy of the coverage helped amplify the Witches' story, turning an already memorable night into one that resonated far beyond the stadium.
Civic Recognition
The celebrations continued days later, when Ipswich Mayor Stefan Long formally presented the trophy to the team. On Halloween, the Witches were invited to a special reception at the Town Hall, where they were honoured for their remarkable achievement. The event brought together players, staff, club officials and civic leaders in a moment of recognition that reinforced the team's importance to the community. Stephen was again entrusted to capture the occasion, ensuring the club had a cohesive visual record that complemented its media coverage and future promotional use.
A Personal Connection
The significance of the moment carried a personal dimension too. Early in his photography career, Stephen was present when the Witches last lifted the league title in 1998. To be asked to cover their return to glory 27 years later added a meaningful connection to the story — one that bridges past and present, experience and evolution.
A Lasting Visual Record
The final collection of images from both events now forms a key part of the Ipswich Witches' media presence. From social channels to website features, press articles and club publications, the photographs help tell the story of a long-awaited triumph and the community pride that came with it. It is a celebration not only of sporting success, but of resilience, loyalty and the passion that defines one of Suffolk's most iconic teams.
Gallery
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