Newton Aycliffe’s award-winning media team is looking for new members to boost its output.
The Newtonians have been awarded the Northern League programme of the year award three times and finished runners-up once during the club’s four seasons in the league.
But the club is looking to improve its content on their other platforms for the next season.
As well as a website which has over 1,000,000 hits, the club has a Facebook and a Twitter page with a combined reach of over 3,500 people. The club is seeking to create new content to keep these fans updated with the club’s latest news and to attract new supporters.
Aycliffe’s only Northern League club would like to hear from media students or keen writers who would be interested in getting involved.
Over the past four years, Martin Walker and Paul McGeary have led the PR team, putting in place the foundations that are in place today.
But Martin, owner of Mantis Media and editor of Aycliffe Today, has moved on to head up Spennymoor Town’s communications, while Paul has taken on the position of club treasurer.
Last season, trained journalist Glen Robertson took over the production of the programme, with the help of a number of volunteers from around the country as well as the ever-reliable Ray Gowan who resides in South Africa.
But the club require further help to ‘raise the bar’ and help keep supporters in the loop with events at Moore Lane Park.
Working for the club can give trainee journalists and media students valuable experience that can help them gain access to the industry.
Martin and Paul combined their work for Newton Aycliffe FC by producing the official Darlington FC programme and contributing towards Middlesbrough’s matchday publication.
Glen has written for Darlington FC and now works for Press Association Sport off the back of his Newton Aycliffe work, while Joseph Speckman, who was a contributor last season, earned a place at Sky Sports News.
Last year’s designer, Matt Jaggar, has started up his own PR company despite still having a year left on his sports journalism and media degree at the University of Huddersfield.
The club can offer hands on experience, where students can showcase their creativity and hone their media skills.
Roles available include matchday media operations – including writing match reports, phoning in the results to the league’s press office and updating the social media accounts – player interviews and feature writing.
Applicants can send a CV or an example of their written work to press officer Glen Robertson on [email protected].
Likewise, if your are a keen writer who believes they have a great idea for a regular feature for the club’s website, pitch your idea to Glen at the same address.