'Photography helped me when football career ended'

A promising footballer whose career was cut short by an autoimmune condition has found a new passion in nature photography.

Liam Pinchen, 18, was part of Harrogate Town's academy and the goalkeeper hoped to play professionally.

At the age of 13, be was diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), which left him so fatigued he could not play the sport.

While walking near his home to regain his health, he developed an interest in the wildlife he saw.

It was in 2019 when Liam began to suffer from abdominal pains, a racing heartbeat and general lethargy.

He had previously trained with Harrogate Town every day, but the teenager, from Starbeck, found himself unable to even walk for five minutes.

His condition, HSP, affects the blood vessels. It can cause kidney problems and is often diagnosed in children.

He said: "At the time I think we were quite worried as none of us had heard of HSP.

"As we found out more it seemed as though it could be quite a severe illness."

His father, Dennis Pinchen, added: "The whole illness and his condition meant he just could not carry on with the football as his fitness had gone completely."

Liam also struggled to complete his education during his final two years at school.

Instead, he began photographing nature, initially to share his pictures with his grandfather.

Liam said: “I started taking photos on my phone and sending them to my grandpa.

"He's into photography but isn't able to get out into nature as much anymore.

“But often the things I was photographing, like deer, were too far away so I was really grateful when my grandparents gave me a camera.”

His talent eventually led to a grant from North Yorkshire Council's Community Fund for his home village of Starbeck.

The fund stemmed from a £300,000 legacy left in 1992 and sums are handed out to residents each year as interest on the original bequest has grown.

Liam will use his £200 award to build a website showcasing his work so that he can launch a career in photography.

"I want to focus on wildlife and nature, but I do like challenging myself to take a good photo of anything,” he said.

“I'll be using the funds to build a website to let people know a little bit about myself.”

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.