An SJA member who challenged a Premier League footballer to pay for a £6,000 camera that was wrecked in a goal celebration is to get his wish – in a seasonal story of goodwill, and the power of Twitter.
Getty Images photographer Richard Heathcote tweeted to Jake Livermore after the Hull City midfielder trashed the camera when scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against West Brom on Saturday.
Livermore’s celebration included aiming a full-blooded boot at the camera, which was set up behind the goal alongside various pieces of broadcast equipment.
“Just incase @29_JL @hullcityteam your not sure the ball is the yellow thing…. not the £6k camera,” Heathcote tweeted.
And… “Dear @29_JL where do you want me to send the repair bill?”
But Livermore, on loan from Spurs, responded:
“Apologies mate will sort camera no problem, and donate same amount to justgiving.com/huddlefro”
He signed off with two telling hashtags: #celebrationneedswork and #sorry.
Livermore’s Hull team mate, Tom Huddlestone, is raising money for Cancer Research UK by refusing to have his hair cut until he next scores a goal. He has not visited a barber’s, nor troubled the teleprinter, for 14 months.
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UPCOMING SJA EVENTS
2014
Mon Mar 24: SJA British Sports Journalism Awards, Grand Connaught Rooms, London
Mon Apr 14: SJA Spring Golf Day: Croham Hurst GC, Surrey. Booking details to be announced