A UCFB graduate, who is now working at Leyton Orient FC, spoke to us about what it was like to be present as the club gained promotion from League Two.
Kynan Foster, who graduated from our Wembley Campus with a BA (Hons) Football Business and Media degree, is now media officer at Leyton Orient’s Academy.
Speaking about his role, Kynan said: “It entails running both the Academy’s Instagram and Twitter channel, producing content for them throughout the week; Graphic design, filming, editing, match reporting/tweeting and photography is what it’s all about.
“Every now and then I might be asked to help the first team, perhaps recording some behind the scenes footage which is then uploaded onto YouTube.”
One game he was required to help with First Team duties was their crucial match away at Gillingham, where they clinched promotion to League One – despite losing 2-0.
Kynan said about the crazy evening: “It’s definitely one of the best football nights I will ever experience. Going down to 10 men then losing 2-0 it looked like that evening wasn’t the day.
“Then the flood lights went off which was just random and hilarious. Then that’s when Swindon were beating Bradford leading to Orient’s promotion, with the fans and players going wild.
“Bear in mind, the flood lights are not on at this stage. They soon come on and the game is restarted. For 10 minutes Gillingham we’re passing the ball side to side knowing they had won and Orient didn’t mind because they were up.
“I ran onto the pitch capturing the footage of the players and the fans, followed by the pitch invasion. I just remember having pure adrenaline, everything else is like a blur now.”
He added, looking back on his studies: “I enjoyed my time at UCFB, not only because I was studying in one of the best stadiums in the world, but I also made good friends that were just as enthusiastic about football as I was.
“The advice that I have is that you shouldn’t wait on an opportunity arriving at your doorstep. Go out and get experience, ask for a work placement or even just to shadow someone for a day to see how they work. Push your CV out to everyone and make a portfolio.”
To find out more about the UCFB alumni working at other Football League clubs, click here.
