Where Are They Now: Darcie Panayiotou – Content Executive at Wycombe Wanderers

A UCFB graduate has put her degree to good use since leaving university, securing a full-time role in the media department at a Football League side.

Darcie Panayiotou studied BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism at UCFB Wembley, and now works as a content executive at League One’s Wycombe Wanderers.

Speaking about her role, she said: “So day to day, we do a whole lot of things. We make content. I’m mainly in charge of creating and producing content for our socials. So things from TikToks, Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, all of that kind of stuff.

“I’ll watch games and I’ll note down important moments during the game which would make a TikTok that I can make and post. I keep up to date with the website articles as well, so making sure to keep fans updated with all the going about the club.

“We also do a segment on our YouTube called Knowing Me, Knowing Blue, so I present that as well and lots of fun content around the club.”

Darcie then went on to talk about the best thing about working in football.

“It’s so much fun,” she said. “No day is the same which is probably the best thing.

“My favourite bit is the connection, especially a club like Wycombe Wanderers. It’s such a family-centric club, and fans have been here for generations. You know all the fans as well personally, so getting to have that personal connection on them all is so nice.”

Darcie spoke about her three years at UCFB, and how it wasn’t just the degree aspect which was vital for her securing her role.

“I’m Wycombe-based, but my first time here at the club was through UCFB. Our class had a chance to come and watch a Vertu trophy game against Peterborough.

“From there, I connected with my boss, Matt, and asked him for opportunities, and I started volunteering at the women’s team for a couple of seasons.

“And from there, Matt noticed my match reports and invited me to come shadow on matchdays here and I kind of just stuck around, and kept getting my foot in the door until I graduated this summer and was given a job.”

She finished by offering advice for those wanting a career in the football and sports industry.

“Making connections is probably the most important thing you can do. I would stress so much about using LinkedIn. I know it sounds like you’re told it all the time, but LinkedIn is such a powerful tool for connecting to people. You never know what opportunities you’re going to find.

“Football is a hard industry, trying to break in, and there’s so much rejection. But not letting that put you off and just connecting with anyone you can, I think it’s just so important.”

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