UCFB has had an official partnership with the National League for several years, and during that time, many of our students have gained invaluable experience in the league’s three tiers.
Our students have gone into National League clubs to work in media, marketing, ticketing, coaching and many other avenues of the sports industry.
Former Wembley student Jonathan Gilder spent some time at Weston-super-Mare AFC while studying his BA (Hons) Football Business and Marketing degree.
He worked as a data analyst at the club, looking at social media and website data, before making recommendations on content and marketing for the club.
He said: “Without UCFB, I doubt an opportunity like this would have ever arisen and this experience is vital for me as a young professional entering the sports industry.”
Laurence Ryan is a current Second Year BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism student, who is now working as a media assistant at Aldershot Town.
His role includes such activities as managing social media accounts for the club and writing match reports.
He spoke highly about how much he is enjoying his role, as well as his time at both UCFB and the National League.
He said: “I’m really enjoying my time at UCFB. It’s opened me up to so many opportunities I doubt I would have got at other universities.”
Sam Collard, an alumnus who studied BA (Hons) Football Business and Media, has been at Yeovil Town for four seasons, promoted from volunteer to full-time media manager in that time.
He said about UCFB: “The connection with the National League is such a fantastic resource for UCFB students to learn on the job.
“UCFB’s connection with the National League provided the link to get through the door – my experiences with Slough Town beforehand, thanks to that connection, were a vital step in where I am now.”
One National League club where UCFB’s influence can be seen is Maidenhead United, with both students and alumni working together at the club.
Grace Scott, a BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism graduate, has been at York Road since her studies back in 2018. She is now media, marketing and ticketing officer at Maidenhead, managing communications as well as marketing and ticketing activities.
She said: “UCFB was extremely important in developing my skills and knowledge within my area of work and allowed me to create relationships with friends, academics, and professionals within the industry.”
She added about the National League: “The relationships you make and the individuals you meet stand it alone from all other areas of the sport.
“It makes you feel like you have such a strong network around you both on the pitch and off the pitch.”
A current Second Year BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism student helping Grace out at the Magpies is Jack Stroudley, who helps the club out with interviews, graphics, match reports and social media.
Jack said to us: “The best thing about studying at UCFB is the ability to connect with as many people as possible.
“In the first year, you’re taught skills to get into journalism, and I’ve taken that with me to Maidenhead United, and I feel without that, I would have struggled to adapt.”
UCFB has graduates also working at 68 of the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs. Read more by clicking here.
