Several UCFB students were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work at the dramatic National League Play-Off Final at Wembley between Chesterfield and Notts County.
The students were given the opportunity from lecturer Bob Ballard, and were asked to work at the event after covering the National League U19 Finals Day at St George’s Park earlier this month.
Frankie, Jaime, Owen, Conor, Danielle and Redford all went to Wembley for the final, and worked with the band, mascots and the press while there.
One of the students, Redford Elton, said about the day: “We were shown around to the trophy, pitchside and then split up.
“Frankie’s role was to deal with the band, the girls dealt with the mascots and Owen, Connor and myself dealt with press accreditations to the press, making sure they all got what they needed and it ran smoothly.
“Then we were able to go to the press box before kick-off and watch the game. For the second half, we went down to the Bobby Moore seats and were right next to the players coming out.
“For the post-match content we were able to sit and take part in the post-match interviews with managers and finally be in the press area of the corridor to interview players who walked by.”
The game certainly was an exciting one to be at for the students, watching Notts County come from behind twice to win promotion back to the Football League on penalties.
Redford added: "It was really dramatic and exciting to be there as part of a massive event and definitely something I will never forgot working pitchside with two of my closest mates.
“It gave me a great insight into how events are run and helped me gain experience as I was able to talk to a few of the other journos and get advice. I would definitely say that one thing I took from the event is no matter the size of the event the same principles still apply.”
He finished: “I’m not perfect but I will always try something. A new role, something I haven’t done before, an opportunity in something I’m not clued up on. Through this I have found myself in so many more opportunities and been better off for it.”
To find out more about UCFB’s partnership with the National League, and the many opportunities this provides to our students, click here.
