Portfolio
My personal football blog Subbeautyo that was created mainly for my one of my university modules. It subsequently got a First so I was rather pleased!
Some of my Sheffield United programme columns that focussed on the more quirkier side of English football.
I’ve also done a couple of things for Off The Post
10 Worst Premier League Transfers
An interview with Danny Alexander regarding the Lib Dem Conference in Sheffield. I, as the interviewer was subsequently filmed by Newsnight during the process!
My very first face to face interview was with Sheffield United Media Manager Andy Pack. It must have gone well because he offered me some work experience straight after! The interview was solely for another university module.
Andy Pack: “A little less Whitehall and more of a watch him he’s a bit of a shark”
Whilst being well aware of the danger of the local newspapers, Media Manager Andy Pack ensures he keeps a good relationship with the press.
Sheffield United are currently in freefall. They languish at 19th place in the Championship and aren’t going anywhere fast. If Andy Pack could do something about it, he would but have no hesitation. However, the decline of the club in the last five years has by no means cast doubt on his passion for the club. In fact it’s plain to see that it has only enhanced it.
Born into a working class, football-loving family, Andy Pack only ever had his mind set on working within sport. After failing to break through as a professional footballer and then spending twenty-four years as a PE Teacher, Pack decided that “the next best thing after playing for the club, was doing the local journalists job”. It took four years of match day program writing before Pack would be offered the role of Media Manager.
“United have always given me a sense of belonging” he says with every bit of seriousness. When asked about Saturday’s game with fellow strugglers Crystal Palace, there is no doubting his excitement. A win for the Blades will propel them from their current position of two points above the relegation zone to within five points of a play-off place. He can also celebrate the fact that it will be live on Sky. “It’s always a major coup for the club when Sky come down.”
By his own admission, Pack has an excellent relationship with the local paper, The Sheffield Star, but that’s not to say he’s more than wary of the problems that the press pose if there is a lack of coherence. He states, “there is absolutely nothing to be gained from have a bad reputation with the media because ultimately they then get the situation where if they can kick the club in the bollocks, they will do”.
Although a coalition of club and press can only be a good thing for Sheffield United, does this work in favour of the fans or does it prevent the paper from doing it’s original job, reporting the news? It would seem that the biased Star views might in fact prohibit those on the terraces from knowing what is exactly going on behind the scenes.
The noble northerner pulled no punches when discussing the role of the internet. “It can be very nasty at times, with people shouting things on message boards”. Unfortunately for Pack, as long as the club and the Sheffield Star are United, the fans will have nowhere but to convey their hard knock views other than online message boards.
At well past retirement age, Andy Pack has no plans to end just yet. He is still driven, still energetic and still focusssed, and most importantly, he is still successful. Sheffield United needs him and he needs Sheffield United.
Sam Ashoo 