At a young age, what qualifications did you get and what were your aspirations?
Even though I always wanted to be a professional footballer, I still tried hard at school. Academically I was pretty good, so I left school at 16 with 10 GCSE’s (7 A’s and 3 B’s). While I was a youth and reserve team player at Arsenal I also chose to go back to my old school’s sixth form one day a week (on my day off) and at the end of four years’worth of study I picked up A-Levels in Maths and English. I’m really pleased I did it.
Where and when was your first breakthrough into the world of sports media?
When I joined Stevenage as a part-time footballer in 2000 I needed a job, and the Southend Evening Echo newspaper gave me a big break, by recruiting me as a trainee news reporter. After a year on the paper I moved to London, where I got my first role as a football writer, for a website called Icons.com.
What is a typical day in being a journalist?
Every journalist has a different experience, but I’m typically up at my desk by 7.30, starting work on the various articles clients want me to write. In the evenings and at weekends I tend to do a lot of broadcast work for TV and radio, often at matches. Being a freelancer is tiring, but it’s also a lot of fun.
What would you suggest to aspiring sports journalists to achieve their dream?
Work exceptionally hard, always check and double check your copy before sending it, be passionate about what you do, watch sport closely, and try to be a little bit different. If you can do all those things, avoid shortcuts, and you have a talent for the job, then I’m sure you’ll make it.
How long have you been a journalist?
I’ve been writing since 2001. I started out in news, and have covered most sports along the way, but primarily I am a football writer. These days I’m also a broadcaster, and I love that too –especially the buzz of live radio and TV.
Would you suggest aspiring sports journalists to go to university?
I couldn’t go to University because I was a professional footballer, and it’s worked out OK for me so it’s not a must. If you can get vocational experience and learn on the job, it’s not impossible to make it. That said, most of the top national newspaper journalists went to Uni and got degrees at top universities. I have my doubts over the relevance of journalism courses, and whether they help get you jobs, but furthering your education is a positive. I believe that can only help you long term.
What is the most interesting story you have written so far?
I love writing long feature interviews for magazines and have been fortunate to sit down and talk at length with a number of big names, including Pele and Ryan Giggs. I do remember producing a back page splash in the Sun that involved some strong Paolo di Canio quotes that I got. That was exciting.
Now, onto some more Arsenal related questions…
Do you think Mesut Özil will have a better season this campaign with the likes of Alexis Sánchez and Theo Walcott ahead of him?
I thought he did well in his debut season, very well at times. A lot of the criticism was unfair. If you sit and watch him closely (as I have done many times) you’ll see what a fabulous team player he is. I love watching Ozil. With so much pace ahead of him in the shape of Sanchez and Walcott he’ll thrive. He sees incisive passes quicker than almost anyone, but he still needs a runner to pick out and they’ll run all day for him. I believe he’ll be much improved this season, and silence the doubters.
Those two can’t fare much worse than they did last season, can they?! If they’re given a chance to play regularly for Spurs I’m sure we will see an upturn. Pochettino is a good, up and coming coach.
Can Arsenal win the league this year?
They can win the Premier League, yes. Arsenal weren’t far away last season and they’ll go into the new campaign with a significantly stronger squad. A top defensive midfielder (someone like Khedira) could be the game changer they need. For me, they have enough firepower going forward.
It’s not just about signings, it’s about mentality too. Having been boosted by winning the FA Cup, they now need to learn lessons from the defeats they suffered last term. Do that, and they have a realistic shot at glory.
Do you think Aaron Ramsey will carry on his form from last season?
Yes I do. He’s a classy footballer, and now that his confidence is high I can see Ramsey getting better and better. It won’t be easy for him to match his goal exploits of last season, but as a midfielder he’s set to be highly influential again.
Do Arsenal need to win another trophy in 2014-15 to continue progressing?
No, not necessarily. It’s not easy to win trophies (as they know only too well!) so that isn’t the only yard stick. If they can get more points, score more goals, concede less, and compete with the very best there is, home and away, that will be progress. I do think another trophy would do them the power of good though.
With Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all spending huge sums of money, will this be one of the toughest Premier League seasons ever?
It’s tough every year, but when I look at the big clubs, it looks more competitive than ever. All seven of last year’s top seven will expect Champions League football in 2015/16, and three of them will be sorely disappointed. I can’t wait for all the drama to begin.
