Home really is where the heart is for fashion photographer Chelsea Mulcahy. This Manchester City fan grew up on the very doorstep of Maine Road. She could see the stadium from the moment she walked out of the front door of the family’s terraced home in nearby Wansford Street in Manchester’s Moss Side.
When she was a seven year old, her grandad Jack used to sneak her into games beneath his coat and her childhood is rich with memories of all things Manchester City and Maine Road.
It was therefore only natural that for a university photography project called Hometown Mulcahy looked no further than her own life spent living in City’s shadows.
“I’ve always been interested in British subcultures. I think communities of people bonded together through shared interests, passions and style is fascinating.”
Chelsea Mulcahy
And it was with grandad Jack in mind that Mulcahy began her project.
“My earliest memories of going to games was with my grandad who’s a massive city fan,” she said.
“He would sneak me in under his coat, I was tiny and it was so easy back then. I’d have to sit on his knee or I’d share half a seat with my older brother who had a season ticket.”
Jack was in hospital when the project began, and he never got to see the final outcome. “I reckon he would approve,” says Mulcahy.
Her side of the Mulcahy family are true blue City. Her mum and her family are all City, as is her dad, despite his 10 siblings all supporting United.
A favourite player first seen live was Shaun Goater. “He was my fave as a kid,” she said. “Feed The Goat!”
“I grew up on a terraced street facing Maine Road. Match days were always such a buzz. Pestering people to watch their cars for a quid or sneaking into games; people popping round for a brew before and after the match.
“Even when matches weren’t on, the ground and car park was our playground. My brother lost his two front teeth getting up to no good in there, I got my first ever scar and the amount of clothes ruined from vandal grease climbing things we shouldn’t have.
“My brother would constantly be trying to climb up into places around the stadium. He actually ended up having a bad accident one time and knocked himself unconscious. I got my scar rollerblading around there after a match and falling on glass.”
Plenty has changed since those days, least of all City’s home at The Etihad, but, says Mulcahy, “the buzz a of a match day still remains.”
Mulcahy admits to taking a nostalgic approach to her Hometown project, basing it around City.
“When I think of where I’m from it’s a big part of it,” she said. “Obviously Maine Road is now flats or houses so I decided to go down to The Etihad stadium and shoot fans. It’s such a different vibe to Maine Road and there’s definitely no chance of sneaking in under anyone’s coat anymore,” she continued, “but still that blue buzz remains.”
She shot it all on film using a 35mm Pentax Super A, continuing on a photographic journey that began as a 16 year old, first as a hobby, documenting friends, their adventures and life in general, before progressing to street and fashion photography.
“I’m massively inspired by documentary photographers especially any that document subcultures, community, music and British culture,” she said.
“Derek Ridgers, Janette Beckman, Bruce Davidson, Beth Lesser, Mary Ellen Mark and Tom Wood are all amazing. Nadia Lee Cohen‘s work is beautiful too. I love how she merges documentary and fashion.
“I’m not the best when it comes to articulating myself and have always been a visual person so I think photography was just a really good way for me to connect with the world and people.
“I’ve always been interested in British subcultures. I think communities of people bonded together through shared interests, passions and style is fascinating.
“A photographer called Iain S.P.Reid documented City and United fans in the 70s and they all wore patches and drew all over lab coats that they wore.
“The photos are so cool. The style of the fans had a very DIY punk feel to their look with the patches they wore. It’s super interesting to see how things were then and all the history and tales of the casual era.”
And her advice to anyone keen on following in her photographic footsteps?
“Interning/assisting is a great way to learn from other photographers. But also just keep shooting people and things that interest you,” she said.
“Carry a camera everywhere you go!”
If you enjoyed that, you may also like Kevin Cummins’ photographs of Manchester City supporters during their final season at Maine Road.
Don’t miss out on Lower Block’s latest news and features. Subscribe to our newsletter below and give us a follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.