Journalistic background
Biography
I graduated with a master's degree in web journalism from The University Of Sheffield in 2011. While my journalistic background at the time had operated on a broad spectrum, having edited a student news website on the day of a local election and solely produced a hyperlocal news website as part of my MA dissertation, I have since predominantly specialised in football journalism.
I possess strong knowledge, namely on football history and subculture, which has given me the opportunity to write online articles on a variety of topics. I have received other credits in national and regional magazines, as well as fanzines, leading podcasts, BBC national and regional radio stations, and a chapter in an edited book.
My background in online journalism also means that I avoid the pitfalls that print-trained journalists sometimes face when it comes to "webbing up" content, so you can be assured that I am fully aware of how important, say, bolded subheadings, correct hyperlink usage, SEO-led headlines and short paragraphs are.
The fact that my work has been referenced in leading publications The Guardian and When Saturday Comes, as well as Gabriel Kuhn’s book “Football Vs. The State: Tackling Football & Radical Politics”, indicates I have met the challenge of enabling a broader audience to positively engage with niche articles on football.
Portfolio
I have contributed to a variety of content for print publications, including copy-editing press releases for regional newspapers and writing punchy sidebars for national magazines. Listed below are some examples of sport-themed news stories and features that I have written specifically for online audiences.
Culture features
Alex Belfield: one week on and what has changed?
Alex Belfield: some long-winded thoughts on his sentencing and stalking
Dyspraxia and video games (or how I learned to embrace my status as a casual gamer)
Erasure: The Innocents at 35 remains the definitive musical snapshot of Section 28
Katie Hopkins: an open letter about her YouTube video on Alex Belfield
Madonna at 40: the origins of a peerless videography
Microdisney: how 39 Minutes turned into 35 years of greatness
Sport news
Derby County Reserves win title after beating Sheffield United
Parkgate FC complete ground improvements for promotion bid
Sheffield clubs to recreate world’s first football match
South Yorkshire Goalball Club in financial limbo
Sport features
1997 Copa América: Bolivia’s old tricks
2022 FIFA World Cup: BBC punditry and #OneLove armbands risk becoming ostensibly straightwashed
Curbing homophobia in Norwegian football
Hopeless Football League Teams #4: Sheffield Wednesday (2002-03)
I started an LGBTQ+ group for Sheffield Wednesday fans: here’s what I’ve learned.
Iker Casillas: what if his hacked ‘coming out’ tweet hadn’t been a hoax?
Revisiting 90 Minutes’ Nightmare League
Sheffield Wednesday’s Intertoto Cup adventure
The Runs: Sheffield Wednesday (1974-76)