My route into the media
Last week, I went to talk to a bunch of university students about life - and possible careers - at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳. They supplied the prawn vol-au-vents (not sandwiches if you're reading this, Roy) and I provided the insight into a career in the media... at least that's what it said on the flyer.
The truth is that there are many doors that give you access to the broadcasting castle.
Some people start early and work their way up, some go crazy with the qualifications and then there are those who have a slow-burning passion and eventually realise that any other job just isn't good enough.
I was one of the middle lot.
I wrote a letter to when I was 11 years old. I complemented him on his excellent moustache and asked him how to get his job.
To my surprise, he wrote back within a few days (it might have been his secretary, but I am convinced it was the man himself). Des told me to get through school, do my A-levels, go on to study something like History or English at university rather than Media Studies and then do a post-graduate course in journalism and get a job in local radio.
I didn't really think much about Des's advice until I got my first job after university. I wrote back to him to say thanks and tell him to 'watch his back'.
Des Lynam gave me some early career advice
I read and, after doing a post-graduate course in Broadcast Journalism, started out at in in 1999.
Within a few weeks, I was off to in as a commentator and sports reporter, but my career was almost over before it had begun because of an elementary error of judgement. Let me explain.
In my third and final year in Sheffield, my then girlfriend - and now wife - was working in a bakery honing her monumental pastry skills. One Saturday afternoon, she was listening to Hallam FM when they announced that they were running a football commentary competition.
We met up that evening and Sarah gave me one of the brown paper bags from the shop with the details and address on it - and some mayonnaise!
After that week, I returned home for Easter weekend. In order to enter the competition, you needed to provide a tape with no more than two minutes of commentary on it.
I dug out my Dad's old tape machine. It predated The Ark and had an in-built microphone so, in order to record my dulcet tones, I had to press play and record and hold the machine up in front of my face.
That weekend I recorded and the following Monday I watched it again and selected the goal I was going to commentate on.
It was an thunderbolt for against .
I had spent much of my life 'commentating' on all sorts of things but this was for real.
The first attempt was rubbish. I didn't feel that I gave it full gun and it sounded like I had called him 'Adam Shearer', so I rewound the tape and went for take two.
The second attempt was equally pants. I struggled to get my words out and when the crucial moment came I sounded like an eight-year-old girl. This was not going too well.
I needed an authentic football crowd. I called my Dad from the other room and while he was impersonating 58,000 in the background I finally managed to hit the spot. Within an hour, the tape was on its way to Sheffield.
About a month later, I was back in the north and I received a phone call from one of the sport producers at Hallam FM to say I had made the shortlist for the final.
Alan Shearer scored the goal which helped to launch my career
He asked if I could make sure I was near the phone on the following Saturday between 5 and 5.30. I obviously agreed, but it was only afterwards that I remembered our university had a big cup final to play on the same day - kick-off at 3pm.
I didn't expect to win and I was desperate to play in the final, so I asked my housemate, Ed, to sit near the phone and pretend to be me... just in case they called. I would be home in time anyway - as long as the match didn't go to extra-time and penalties.
Sadly, that is exactly what happened. I scored one of our five penalties and at about 5.15 the cup was ours. In truth - in the euphoria of cup victory - I totally forgot about the radio competition.
When I returned home clutching a little trophy, I was met by these words... "You are in big trouble, you goon!" - he was right. The radio station had called - I had won.
That was the good news. The bad news was that after playing my commentary clip they then spoke to my housemate.
They were understandably not too happy that the cockney commentator sounded totally different to the broad Yorkshireman claiming to be him on the phone.
They had threatened to take away the prize, so I called them straight away, explained the situation and eventually they said I could still have the work experience.
That was my route in, but, like I said, there are many different ways to start out and I always feel that if you are good enough - and you work hard at getting better - you will get there.
We had a camera for a few hours on Friday afternoon, so I was going to film the next instalment of '' in the office.
The slight flaw in my otherwise brilliant plan was that no-one was in the office because they were all busy elsewhere. I'll have to do that at some stage in the future.
Instead, I thought I'd give you a little tour of the edit suites where much of the Focus magic comes from.
Assistant producers spend hours in there on a Thursday and Friday perfecting and tweaking their pieces for the programme. Hopefully this will shed some light on the way it all comes together.
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See you soon, comrades.
Welcome comrades. This blog is all about giving you an insight into how Football Focus comes together each week. I do pop up across the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s sporting output so there may be the occasional reference to something other than the beautiful game too.
Have a read and feel free to join in with your comments and questions brothers and sisters.
You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 29th Sep 2009, boomshakalak wrote:Dan - i requested this exact type of blog last week... i have no idea if you read my request - but either way - this is really interesting stuff - and a great insight into how to get the top jobs in such a competitive industry.
fair play to you! cheers
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Comment number 2.
At 30th Sep 2009, tarquin wrote:well, I got the right degree, but I'd never be let on the radio with my voice
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Comment number 3.
At 30th Sep 2009, SugarDunkerton wrote:My Dad's answer would be very short and precise if I asked him to stand and impersonate a Geordie crowd... yours must be very understanding..
Anyway he can only say 1 thing with a Geordie accent and that is 'Makelele' That would maybe get a bit tedious after a while.
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Comment number 4.
At 30th Sep 2009, Vikdaddy wrote:So, step one on the ladder is to contact Des Lynam; I'll get writing...
Dan, I thought you learnt your lesson from a few weeks ago about wearing 'fashionable' shirts? I'm afraid to click on your video as I don't fancy being hypnotised!
Good blog Dan, keep up the good work.
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Comment number 5.
At 30th Sep 2009, tomefccam wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 30th Sep 2009, Secret Sam wrote:tomefccam: nicely balanced by the chip on each shoulder, eh? Attacking the blogger just because he has a decent education. Perhaps you should consider getting one before posting such ill informed vitriol.
The simple answer to 'who paid for your education' is that the author will, through higher taxes he will pay due to greater earnings potential. Source? I studied it whilst being another 'silver spoon' (my privileged background being a household income of around £10k per annum at the time (1991)). Such riches.
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Sep 2009, gastomagic wrote:I was laughed at by my careers teacher (and the rest of the class) when I proclaimed my dream to be a sports commentator. Despite this a cracked on and wrote a letter to Radio 5Live. Despite sending the same letter a number of times I never received a reply. :(
I went to uni and studied Science and am now happy enough but not a commentator as I had once dreamt! Fair play to you and fair play to Des and his staff for getting back to you.
Also in reply to 'tomefccam' anyone can go to uni and anyone can do a postgrad - you just need to work hard at school. If you don't have the money behind you it is more than feasible to have a job whilst studying. I had 3 jobs at one point during my studies and found time to do my fair share of partying along with the studying along the way. Your comment simply illustrates the bad attitude which is probably more your issue than a lack of siver spoonerage dans le bouche.
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Comment number 8.
At 30th Sep 2009, Liverpool Andy wrote:I'd love to go into commentary but I'm 22 now and have debts to pay so need to work and can't really go to uni, my mates doing it though and he's just started an apprentiship with sky sports doing commentary, lucky boy!
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Comment number 9.
At 30th Sep 2009, Armchair Dave wrote:Dear Mr Walker,
I am looking for a career in football commentry and was wondering if you had any advice for a young, impressionable lad. Also you have an excellent moustache.
Yours sincerely,
ArmchairDave (aged 11).
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Comment number 10.
At 30th Sep 2009, feelthesteviegforce wrote:Just started my own road towards Journalism. Had my first Teeline shorthand lesson yesterday, what a blag! Anyway hope you realise how lucky you are Dan, there's plenty of people that would love to do what you and several others do. Just do me a favour any vacancies in three years time are mine pal!
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Comment number 11.
At 30th Sep 2009, Dan Walker wrote:I did read your comment last week boomshakalak and the blog was a response to that request... glad to see you enjoyed it.
Liverpool_Andy it's never too late! I have a mate who was bored of his job and didn't get into football reporting until he was 28. He started out in hospital radio and now commentates on the team he supports for local radio. All it takes is a bit of sacrifice - maybe working for free on a weekend or putting the hours in when nobody else wants to.
Armchair dave. You won't go far wrong if you follow Des's advice. There are numerous ways in but I always think that education is the best way forward but it's also important to practice. If you want to be a commentator then commentate. I used to annoy my mum by doing it in the supermarket. If you can make an old woman perusing the frozen food section interesting then a football match will be a doddle. If you want to be a presenter then borrow a video camera and film yourself... you will be your harshest cricket. If you fancy a career as a written journo then set up a blog or write a report on a match and compare it to the ones the professionals stick in the morning papers.
Education is certainly worth the cost but don't expect to get paid millions if and when you get that dream job. When I started at Key 103 I had 2 degrees - a 2/1 in History and a 1st in Broadcast Journalism - and I was earning under £10,000. There was no silver spoon in the Walker household tomefccam (5). I worked as a builder every summer to pay my way through university and I took out a career development loan to fund my post-graduate course in Sheffield which I only paid off a few years ago... but it was all worth it.
Hope the advice helps.
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Comment number 12.
At 30th Sep 2009, berbasNo1Fan wrote:You will be your harshest cricket? lol
enjoying reading your blogs though
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Comment number 13.
At 30th Sep 2009, pramfashions wrote:Hey Dan, i wrote to Des Lynam and asked how he got such so successful with the opposite sex and had such great sex appeal to the female form.Guess i was a little older than you bud.
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Comment number 14.
At 30th Sep 2009, massivemeatball wrote:Good blog - I think adopting a scottish accent guarantees you a stint as a co-commentator on any other channel bar the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳! Andy Gray is certainly setting the standard there.
As for tomefccam, what an idiot.
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Comment number 15.
At 30th Sep 2009, Stevies-G-String wrote:"i wonder who paid for your education and post grad. silver spoon."
Do i detect bitterness at all? What's it got to do with the blog lol.
Good to see the 'glamour' behind the scenes and that Edwin Van Der Sar has a stable job after United.
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Comment number 16.
At 30th Sep 2009, Rich Barber wrote:Personally, I'm more interested in how one gets to be an post-pro editor...
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Comment number 17.
At 30th Sep 2009, congratulations chelsea on your premiership purchase wrote:Dan, great article. I really want to get into media. I just finished a my business degree at leeds met with a 2.1, during my final year i had my own sports show with a few friends of mine and i want to continue with this as a career. im currently working as a youth worker for one year. Where did you do your masters? does the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ offer internships etc. It would be greatly appreciated if you could contact me with information.
[Personal details removed by Moderator]
thanks very much
Oli
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Comment number 18.
At 30th Sep 2009, Armchair Dave wrote:Thanks Dan. Would be interesting if Football Focus ran a competition to commentate on game - on the red button of course. You wouldn't want to let an amateur loose on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳1! You'd end up looking like ITV...
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Comment number 19.
At 30th Sep 2009, Ji-Sung Parks cousin - 19 wrote:Stopped reading after the use of the word "pants".... sorry, can't stand it.
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Comment number 20.
At 30th Sep 2009, Willchimp wrote:Thanks, a very interesting blog. I hope future commentators emulate John Champion with...
"HHHEEEAAADDDEEEERRR!!!" and "HEADER OR TOO!" (or something like that?)
(SOURCE: Pro Evo 2008)
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Comment number 21.
At 30th Sep 2009, signori wrote:tomefccam
what no response to dan walkers reply to you judging him because he has done well for himself.............admit when your wrong?? thought not, Commentary isnt my route into media i would prefer to be a journalist or sports photographer i have a little blog with pictures and reports but finding the time to do this and my 9-5 job is tricky. I never had the chance to go to uni due to family curcumstances but am still trying to get there, great blog Dan........
Watch your back!
p.s. i like your shirts ( said in a man way with a punch on the arm afterwards way!)
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Comment number 22.
At 30th Sep 2009, Zulu Warrior wrote:Hi Dan
I did enjoy your 'bits' on the Open coverage. It was refreshing to have a new face and a good presenter to give the status quo a much needed boost.
Good blog and I do hope your enthusiasm rubs off on some of the ''legends''.
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Comment number 23.
At 30th Sep 2009, supabluemoon87 wrote:great blog dan.
It has always been an ambition of mine to get into football journalism as well, I have currently graduated with a 2:1 in journalism from Sheffield Hallam and was wondering what you would advise as my next step? would i be best carrying on with the masters route or trying to get work experience within the journalism field? are the nctj exams necessary?
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Comment number 24.
At 30th Sep 2009, tomefccam wrote:if anyone has a problem with what I wrote, that is there problem, not mine. i have read dan's blogs for the last couple of weeks and find them nothing but boastful and arrogant. Purring over such tangible items as BMW's is not something that the working classes encourage. During my university studies, we received a visit from former england manager graham taylor, who provided us with an honest account of his life, with little boasting and little attitude. My silverspoon comment was the only explanation I could find for this attitude, now i'm assured he's not been privately educated, or funded through University in terms of accomadation, board, study fees, and spending money. Then I simply find he has lost touch with the working classes. After all, football is the true working class sport.
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Comment number 25.
At 30th Sep 2009, tomefccam wrote:oh, and signori, an elipsis consists of three "." - ... but Guiseppe Signori on the other hand was a wonderful player, I hope it's not you
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Comment number 26.
At 30th Sep 2009, royalgaffer133 wrote:An excellent and informative read, Dan. You come across as well in your modest words as you did when I first saw you as sports reporter on North West Tonight with Gordon Burns and the team. It's easy to warm to your knowledgable yet humble on-screen demeanour. It's great to see you progressing so well.
Best wishes
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Comment number 27.
At 30th Sep 2009, Zulu Warrior wrote:Dan
Please say which footy team you support.
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Comment number 28.
At 30th Sep 2009, Wardy4Ireland wrote:tomefccam - just this week alone you've picked on Robbos, Phils and now Dans blogs
Get a life man!
Good blog Dan, goes to show if you have a dream job persue it, lifes too short!
Fair play to the man
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Comment number 29.
At 30th Sep 2009, doncobaino wrote:Great blog Dan, interesting to hear about how someone who has reached that level.
Well I have an English Degree and achieved a Journalism degree, currently working in a local paper, as the only journalist! Which is a lot of responsibility but hopefully it helps in the long run.
Just need that break or 'next step'!! In my head I have a great voice, not the greatest when I play it back though!
looking forward to the next blog
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Comment number 30.
At 30th Sep 2009, signori wrote:tomefccam
I think the word you are looking for is Ellipsis with 2 L's??
As for Signori yes he was a wonderful player and my all time favouraite. I suggest if you dont like the blogs then dont bother to read them.
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Comment number 31.
At 30th Sep 2009, tomefccam wrote:exactement. I pay good money to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ on an annual basis, and feel that I am therefore entitled to my critique. Is michael gray the only person capable of penning a decent blog? and taking the time to respond individually to plenty of them
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Comment number 32.
At 30th Sep 2009, Vikdaddy wrote:Hey tomefccam, you shouldn't be such a smartypants. "Elipsis" is spelt ellipsis...
I read in one of your earlier blogs that Phil Minshull - or as you describe him, a "lowly journalist" - should have left Jesus Gil - he of Atletico Madrid fame - alone because he is "rich and and powerful". So much for standing up for the working class, hey?!
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Comment number 33.
At 30th Sep 2009, Vikdaddy wrote:Sorry, I meant "powerful and successful", but the sentiment is the same...
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Comment number 34.
At 30th Sep 2009, JJ wrote:Hi Dan,
Really interesting blog and they couldn't have made a better choice for Football Focus presenter. Keep up the great work.
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Comment number 35.
At 30th Sep 2009, Shahid wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 36.
At 30th Sep 2009, tomefccam wrote:wow, you trawled through all the blogs to find your evidence, perhaps you have too much time on your hands. Jesus Gil was far too important to worry what an English journalist had to say, because he was...yes powerful and successful. It would be the equivalent of some reporter nobody in england had ever heard of, conducting an interview with Hans Van Breukelen in Dutch in front of Brian Clough. Cloughy would have tore that guy to shreds. I just thought he shouldn't criticise a man for the way he treated him, everybody has bad experiences with people, you acnnot try and tell people what they are like as a person on the back of this though. you guys are all missing my point, i am about to tuck into a fabulous CL night and we can all form an opinion without brown nosing, you are not going to get an invite to the studio you know...
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Comment number 37.
At 30th Sep 2009, jonseybryan wrote:Hi Dan, excellent blog fella.
I have just started onto the long road of sports broadcast journalism myself. I finished a Post-grad course in Broadcast Journalism in Cornwall last year graduating with a distinction.
And actually I find it very insulting that to get where I am, i had to have a 'silver spoon' to do it as someone said earlier. I didn't have a silver spoon in my mouth to get my Masters degree, I had to rely on a career development loan, savings, winning pub quizzes and my Irish friends horse racing tips.
But I can now say it is really well worth it, I am currently starting out as a freelancer, I did some work for commercial radio at the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield earlier this year and I have some regular work writing online.
If you want to do it and you have the passion, dedication and knowledge then things will happen for you.
Jonny
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Comment number 38.
At 30th Sep 2009, John wrote:Very interesting blog Dan. It's not often that you hear about the routes that people in the media have followed to get to where they are.
Can I ask how old you are and how long it took you to get from Hallam FM to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳? Just for the sake of interest. Also - where did you do the course in broadcast journalism?
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Comment number 39.
At 30th Sep 2009, Vikdaddy wrote:tomefccam you plonker I simply clicked on your name and it showed all of your posts - didn't trawl through all of the blogs! I only read it because somebody else referred to you always being critical.
You still spelt ellipsis wrong.
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Comment number 40.
At 30th Sep 2009, Hookers_armpit wrote:Do we need to encourage more people to have a career in media? As you say - there are no jobs, it ain't glamorous and the pay is tripe - not to mention the need the country has for people doing other things...
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Comment number 41.
At 30th Sep 2009, giantMoodytiger wrote:Dan,
Great blog. I think I am in the third group in your blog...to keep a long story short, I toured with the English Cricket Team as MCC's young journalist of the year on their tour of South Africa in 1999-2000. When I came back from South Africa I made the crazy decision to become an accountant rather than pursue journalism. I was broke and had a lot of mates in London going the same route. I had loved every bit of the South Africa trip, but all the other journalists were 20 years older than me. 10 years later I am starting to realise the error of my ways! Would you suggest taking a post grad in journalism at this point as a way of getting back into it?
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Comment number 42.
At 30th Sep 2009, U14112666 wrote:I have to agree that this tomefccam is a plonker.
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Comment number 43.
At 30th Sep 2009, beachglamken wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 44.
At 30th Sep 2009, NoCanariesAllowed wrote:I must admit, this entry really connected with me.
Despite having little thought towards a career whilst at secondary school, I finished my A-Levels and jumped straight into a history degree. Over the course of those three years, I somewhat randomly started writing for a few football fanzines and websites, and subsequently found myself increasingly captivated by the idea of using my history degree towards pursuing a career in journalism. I'd contemplated enrolling on various postgraduate/distance-learning NCTJ courses but felt I should have been pursuing some working experience instead - not that I've gotten very far on that front.
Now, having graduated and found myself struggling to make any progress in the not-so-abundant job market of 2009, I found myself browsing around the web for a few hours tonight in view to exploring the studying option again. Then I suddenly happen to stumble across this blog, with the words of Des Lynam pointing me in that very direction. Not to get too Mystic Meg about circumstances, but as you can imagine, I was rather amused by the coincidence!
At the same time, your interesting little anecdote about the Hallam FM radio competition strikes me as another example of that much-talked about quality that all prospective journalists need - that lucky break. One can only hope that such opportunities are forthcoming if and when I find myself in the position to reach out and grab them.
Great blog, Dan. Thanks for sharing.
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Comment number 45.
At 30th Sep 2009, SausageArms wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 46.
At 30th Sep 2009, bilsim wrote:This article is a God send. I'm 18 and a recent school leaver, my intense dislike of the education system has betrayed my desire to be an academic success, and for me to pursue the career I dream of, I'll need to keep looking for a more direct route. Is this an impossibility? So far it seems, yes. Answers are few and far between, despite contacting numerous sports journalists and publications, replies have been rarer than steak on a Zimbabwean dinner table. Reading this, however, gives me just a glimmer of hope that I can get into the media, despite your route being different to the one I'll have to take.
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Comment number 47.
At 1st Oct 2009, SpursNW wrote:yeah, nice blog again Dan
prefer Maniche on Footie Focus tho! ;-)
curious... why study history to get involved in tv presentation? maybez it's me, but i can't see the connection???
keep up the good work/blogs/shirts(!)...
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Comment number 48.
At 1st Oct 2009, Dan Walker wrote:Right! Here are some responses to the questions. Sorry I haven't been on for a while - very busy day yesterday.
BerbasNo1Fan... 'harshest cricket'. Well spotted - can't get sport off the brain.
Congratulations Chelsea on premiership purchase and JohnnyD0803... I did both my history and post-grad course in Sheffield. There are loads of good post-grad courses around. Preston has always been tidy and the London College of Printing as well. If you are looking into it then it's worth reading reviews of all the various courses. Also Johnny I started at Hallam FM in 1999 and I joined the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ in 2004. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ do do a graduate trainee scheme but I think it's only something like 8 places each year with a nailed on job available at the end of it. Worth looking into but hard to get onto.
superbluemoon87... in my opinion try and do both. A masters would be great but the work experience can work for you as well. A course will always give you some but you should try and organise as much as you can in addition to all that. As for the NCJ exams... they are a lot of work but look great on a CV and knowing how to avoid contempt of court is always handy.
GOOD1878... my team are the mighty CRAWLEY TOWN - oh yeah! The boys are currently mid table in the Blue Square Prem after getting mullered by Oxford.
I think the wonderfully named Hookers_armpit makes a good point. Do we need to encourage more people to be in the media? Whatever your opinion the true is that more and more people see the media as the career they want to pursue. That means it's even harder to get the jobs and puts even more of a premium of quality and the little extra bits you can do (like work experience)
Tomefccam... I don't think you've asked any questions but you do seem to have some rage issues. I fully agree with you that, as a fee payer, you are entitled to your opinion but your fascination with this BMW that I have never owned is slightly worrying.
Thanks for all the comments. I will try and do a few more blogs like this in the future as well. If you have any more questions let me know or if i've missed your question out then whack it over again. I should say that the one way to guarantee a job in the media is to have played sport professionally at some stage and combine that with the ability to construct sentences!
By the way... any budding journalists should make sure you watch on Saturday. We have a big piece going out which we've had to check carefully with our lawyers. It deals with one of the important issues floating around football at the moment.
See you soon.
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Comment number 49.
At 1st Oct 2009, tomefccam wrote:I resent being called a plonker, and that I have rage issues. A bit personal.I cannot help but be a natural cynic, I believe constructive criticism is the only way in which one can improve. All I can say is that by producing a different entry to all the manufactured brown nosing, I have caused people to respond to a blog that may have only reached 20 - 30 responses. I am sure Dan may be secretly happy with this, as i'm certain that bloggers are judged on the amount of discussion their entries create. I actually find Dan entertaining, and a good Focus presenter, his media skills are there for all to see. I just feel his blogs could be a little less self involved. Suffering from dyslexia, spelling is not my strong point. But the misuse of ... surely gets on more people's nerves than mine? where have these people seen ........... ?
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Comment number 50.
At 1st Oct 2009, Quick_Single wrote:Interesting points - I have to concur that the world of journalism is as frighteningly competitive as ever. I recently threw my hat back into the ring, after a couple of years as a sports consultant (having previously been a sports magazine editor for five years) and found a quite dispiriting total lack of interest/prospects.
This extends, I'm afraid to say, to even securing a week of work experience with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ - I dared to hope that seven years working in the industry might qualify me as having shown "a commitment to sports journalism" or whatever the trite requirement was.
I totally agree about the elusive (dare I say mythical?!) 'big break'. But perhaps I'm just getting older and cynical. As a thought to all new starters, I'd just add that the world of journalism is massively changing - as this blog proves, the ways that news and views are reported and debated are moving on - in 10 years time, things will be different again.
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Comment number 51.
At 1st Oct 2009, magicminkfish wrote:"Full gun"!
Bring back Ron Atkinson. King of Commentary, Daddy of Soliloquy.
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Comment number 52.
At 1st Oct 2009, I hate Vuvuzelas wrote:tomefccam #24 & #49
Seems a little harsh to criticise someone's use of an ellipsis... besides using the wrong Their/There/They're irritates me but I'll try to carry on...
Nice blog Dan. I've often wondered about the best way to get into sports journalism, though I fear that any talent I had in it has been slowly destroyed by playing too much Pro Evo 2008 like Willchimp.
My personal favourite is "It harks back to the old debate about referees who have never played the game" which is used every 3 minutes for no reason.
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Comment number 53.
At 1st Oct 2009, h13jam wrote:Thank you for your very useful information Dan. I think your advice is very good. Intrestingly enough I am trying to do the same route as you and getting involved with hospital radio on their sports show. The only problem I am finding is that even though I have an NCTJ I still cannot find a job. Also I wanted your advice because I was considering starting a sports blog. Your thoughts would be most appreciative.
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Comment number 54.
At 1st Oct 2009, tomefccam wrote:"I hate Vuvuzelas"
Please feel free to point out where I have misused this rule, I also hate this, and would not like to fall victim.
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Comment number 55.
At 1st Oct 2009, Valderramas_boots wrote:Hi Dan,
Just the kind of blog I needed. I'm working on student radio right now, but have no degree in History or English. Also is it paramount for you to do a post-grad in Broadcast Journalism?
Got rejected recently by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Asian Network - and am really struggling to gain even some work experience. Im hoping my persistence pay's off soon enough.
Thanks for the brilliant blog.
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Comment number 56.
At 1st Oct 2009, shevabk2milan wrote:I work in radio here in London, part time for a couple of FM stations. I spent years doing hospital radio and then just sent loads of demos out and then followed them up with calls. Dont annoy them but definitely try and jolt their memories. Charm over the phone works wonders, that is basically how i got in. I interviwed Phil Vickery recently what a lovely chap, i had so many questions for him he probably thought i was stalking him lol
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Comment number 57.
At 1st Oct 2009, BigOldHeid wrote:I think tomefccam might resemble Yosemite Sam in real life.
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Comment number 58.
At 1st Oct 2009, tomefccam wrote:your missus might disagree ;)
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Comment number 59.
At 1st Oct 2009, RossKemp_onFootball wrote:Is there a more irritating commentator than that pseudo-poet Clive Tyldesley? Discuss (30 marks) without mentioning the clunkily monikered 'tomefccam' (50 marks).
P.S. I have not historically, nor am I currently pursuing a career in media/journalism...does this make me weird?
Love,
Phil Neville
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Comment number 60.
At 1st Oct 2009, beachglamken wrote:I genuinely believe that the aforementioned tomefccam has erectile disfunction issues which is why he spends so much time on blogs having a go at the people who write them. See a doctor soon my man - for all our sakes.
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Comment number 61.
At 1st Oct 2009, BigOldHeid wrote:#59
They say that foppish dandy and axe man Bernard Butler used to practice both playing his guitar, and what he looked like when playing said guitar separetely, and fevorishly.
I suspect Tyldsley is from the same school of thought.
The classic commentators didnt mess about. Coleman's "One Nil" or McPherson's "Scccchhweepped Away" take me back to a less complicated time.
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Comment number 62.
At 1st Oct 2009, tomefccam wrote:chortle. actually I have a very well paid job that allows me plenty of time to research alternative reporting on football through media. Hence why all your great responses provide me with great fact based evidence.
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Comment number 63.
At 1st Oct 2009, Vikdaddy wrote:tomefccam = prat.
Nobody cares anymore about your opinion or your "well paid job". Either you're a masochist revelling in the undivided criticism, or you're a complete nihilist with too much time on your hands.
No doubt you'll respond because you care too much about your precious opinions - pity nobody else does.
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Comment number 64.
At 1st Oct 2009, tomefccam wrote:you're the one quoting my name in your responses my friend
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Comment number 65.
At 3rd Oct 2009, Camilla wrote:Dan, great blog.
I would like to go into sports journalism, and maybe one day, I would love to be a reporter for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport.
Thanks for a great blog and go Crawley Town!
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Comment number 66.
At 3rd Oct 2009, I hate Vuvuzelas wrote:RE: Tomefccam #54
Post 24 first line (there/their). It's just usually the case that someone criticising someone else's typing is bound to have made a mistake of their own somewhere. I'm sure I have anyway!
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Comment number 67.
At 4th Oct 2009, nevilgaytash wrote:Hi Dan
Just realised that you are participating in the Peter Allis Blind Golf challenge later this month. A big thank you for your time given to the charity as I am a participating blind golfer at this event. I am also looking for advice, as I have just gone blind and am looking for a new career path on radio research.
Best of luck.
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Comment number 68.
At 14th Oct 2009, chapelA_FC wrote:Hi Dan
Very interesting blog. I was keen on sports journalism when I was younger, but then decided I wanted to study a Politics degree, after working for an MP (and deciding there was nothing in that field for me) I moved into the field of head-hunting...I'm 28 now, while I like what I do, if the chance to move into sports reporting came up I'd jump at it, and I must say I'm feel heartened by your friend's story, who started out later on.
I'm due to start presenting a weekly sports show 'insert' on my local Hospital Radio station shortly, what else can I be doing alongside that?
I would appreciate your thoughts.
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Comment number 69.
At 26th Nov 2009, Dan Walker wrote:chapelA_FC (#68)
As much as you can is the answer there. Hone those skills. Hospital radio is a great chance to make your mistakes, try out some ideas and get yourself ready for the next step.
You should then look at local / regional radio and badger the editors with tapes and CV's until they give you the chance to go and see them.
You need to be as good as you possibly can be and hopefully the doors will open.
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