A sit down with... Marc Williams. Head of media at Basford United
A sit down with… Marc Williams
Marc is head of media at Basford United. You'll often see Marc hanging out the window above the scoreboard at Greenwich Avenue. However Marc speaks to me about what a matchday looks like for a media man alongside how he got to where he is so far.
Let’s start with the here and now. Media man
at Basford United. Arguably one of the better socials for local clubs too. How
did you get the role and what is your ambitions for Basford’s socials?
Thanks, mate. I really appreciate that!
Just after I ‘retired’ from playing at Gedling Miners
Welfare, I sat with my dad in the stands one game where he was the match reporting
at the time. He was a bit tired of doing it at the time and suggested I should do
one.
I did, loved it, and carried on the rest of the season
whilst he was my right-hand man, if you like. The website picked up a few more
views, local papers got in touch and from there I just ran with it.
Then, just before the first Covid-hit season, I spoke
with Chris Munroe at Basford – whom I’ve known years – and it went from there.
I went in as an assistant to a wonderful team headed up by Craig Lamont.
Craig later left and I was asked if I’d like to take on
the Head of Media role, which I jumped at – I’ve loved every second since.
I’ve already achieved one ambition which was to achieve
10,000 followers before Christmas. We’ve smashed that, in fact, and it’s always
growing which is great.
Further ambitions would be to reach another thousand or
two whilst I oversee it all and definitely to become verified on Twitter.
I’ve tried a few times but can’t quite achieve it. (Though,
even if we did, I’m not sure the Chairman would be paying the $8 a month!!)
And what does a matchday look like for
you?
Typically, the first thing would be the standard match
day tweet and prepare any other news that fans may want/need to know before
kick-off.
I usually do my graphics on a Friday but if I’ve been
caught up, I’ll do them on Saturday mornings. If we’re at home, I’ll liaise
with press outlets before heading down to the ground a few hours before to set
up.
Away games tend to actually be a bit more relaxed,
believe it or not! If we’re driving, I’ll arrange pick-ups with the media lads,
but more often than not we’re on a coach, so I get to spend a bit of time catching
up on news and doing the above.
Doesn’t half eat into your data, mind!
From there, it’s all about team news, minute-to-minute
commentary on social media, post-match interviews, match reports – all your
usual stuff.
I’ll then look to get content out as soon as possible
after the game. A photo, a clip of a goal, for example. It takes time because
you have to render the footage from the camera but once it’s uploaded you can
do what you want with it.
Mick Gretton – our photographer – is fantastic, too. If
his SD card allows it (!!!) I’ll get all the snaps from him straight after the
game to send to the players for their usage before any posts I can look to get
out.
Sundays are my busiest day and that’s when highlights are
done, as well as any decent posts (especially if we win!) and promotional work
of the next games.
Let’s speak about this season’s cup run. From
a media perspective, just how good was it?
In a word, unbelievable. To be a part of it, and actually
write/post about it – which I guess is as important as playing and winning
those games these days – was fantastic. From top to bottom, everyone was a joy
to be around at Basford.
From my side, media always reflects results so when
you’re doing that well, naturally the statistics fly, and your job becomes
effortless because there’s just so much varying content you can post.
A lot of my posts are scheduled content – planning in
advance – but when you’re doing so well, like we did in the cup, the next post
can’t come quick enough and some of it comes to you without thought!
Everyone wants to be involved – from TV crews to radio
and newspapers. I loved every second of sorting all of that and getting the
coverage we received.
I want to take this time to thank all those who helped
along the way. Charlie Slater, Colin Fray and Colin Hazelden, BBC Radio
Nottingham and East Midlands Today – all were excellent to speak to and work
with.
From the Point of view video of you on the
pitch celebrating to shootout winning tweets. Do you have an idea what content
you’ll put out or is it all done in the moment?
That particular video was a spur of the moment, 100%. You
have an idea as to what you want to do, but sometimes it’s limited – especially
if you’re away at a place like Boston with stewards etc.
However, once I was over that barrier, any pre-planned
stuff went out of the window, hence why I just shouted and screamed.
As I was climbing to get onto the pitch, I heard a voice
of a steward shouting at me to get back. I had a split-second to listen or
ignore – the rest is history.
My only regret? Not holding my phone on a horizontal
plane, but a vertical one. Rookie error.
https://twitter.com/Basfordutdfc/status/1577421697770143744?s=20&t=QNL6W2hoXqIV4nlc0wzqaA
I’m grateful to have received wonderful feedback from it
though, most citing it was good because it was ‘raw’, so I guess the lesson is
that: don’t always plan. Sometimes the best stuff comes from just doing it.
Stuff like a shoot-out is always done the same way. I’ve
had the same template of using emojis, copy and pasting since my first ever
with Gedling Miners and it’s stuck – no need to change what’s broken, I guess!
Depending on the magnitude of the game, the winning
penalty tweet (if you’re lucky enough) is a bit of both.
Like Boston – it was abut spamming the keyboard and going
ballistic because of the occasion. A week later, against Step 5 Harborough Town
(who were excellent!), we won on penalties, but it wasn’t as high-octane, so
just a standard tweet sufficed.
It’s all about your audience and what how many people
will be glued to your feed and when.
From the outside looking in. You seem just as
much part of the Basford machine as the lads on the pitch. Does this come down
to the relationships you have with Chris Munroe, Mark Clifford, Steve Chettle
& the players?
I’d like to think I’m a sociable person – I put that down
to my late grandad who taught me to respect everyone. He also told me that
‘it’s better to know a little bit about everything, rather than 100% of
something’.
I still adopt that mindset now and, as a result, I think
I can speak to whoever on any given topic. If I know about it, great - I can
contribute. If I can’t, I want to learn – not everyone wants to speak about
football every minute of every day!
I think that has put me in good stead with speaking and
dealing with very prominent figures – from teachers and lecturers at school and
University, to chairmen, former professional footballers, hierarchy etc. in my
current role.
Being in a senior position in any profession is a
learning curve and everyone has their own individual personalities and that’s
why I like to adapt. He won’t be the same as her and she won’t be the same as
him, so you have to deal with that, and I take a lot from what my grandad said
above.
The more approachable you are and/or can become, the
easier life will be, and people, you hope, will respect you more.
Chetts (Steve Chettle) is always one who sticks out. When
I first joined Basford, he was the first team manager and in our first meeting
I said, ‘nice to meet you, gaffer’. He replied, “don’t call me gaffer, we’re
all in this together” albeit with a wry smile (or something along those lines).
My first thought was ‘Crikey. I’ve upset him’ fully aware
of who he was and what he had achieved as a player. ‘Fantastic’, I
sarcastically thought…
Fast-forward two or so years and we’re now very, very
good friends. We’ve built such a rapport over that time, and it’s been a
pleasure to get to know him and his amazing family.
Another lesson? Regardless of your age, take time in
getting to know people and be kind, friendly and understanding to everyone you
can. You just never know where you might end up and who with!
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| Part of the team |
Before Basford you followed in your dad’s
footsteps doing match reports for Gedling MW. How much did your dad influence
you into getting into the media side of football?
Massively. If it wasn’t for him then I’d never have
picked up a pen to do a match report! Who knows what I would be doing if it
wasn’t for that first game at Gedling Miners.
Not only that, but he’s also been my entire influence
since I started playing football – rain or shine, 1 mile or 1000 miles away, he
was always there when I played. I don’t ever remember him missing a game!
I probably should tell him more, but if I’m ever lucky
enough to forge a career out of what I do now, I’ll always be grateful to him
and what he taught me.
My brother has also had an influence. He was, for a few
years, a Statistician at Sky Sports down in London and the work he did really
drew me in. He graduated in Journalism, and I wanted to do exactly what he was
doing at the time.
So, I guess, because of that, I also have him to thank! J
For those who don’t know, Marc’s Dad Ian hasn’t
been in great health recently. Ian will be well known throughout the
Nottingham/East Mids non league community through his roles at Gedling & Eastwood
as well as being a huge advocate of grassroots football. I wish Ian all the
best on the road to recovery and hope to see him at a game sooner rather than
later.
Thanks, pal! He’s well known amongst the very local area,
so I’ve had a few kind messages from people who know him, some who don’t – but
I appreciate every single one of them! He’ll be back at a non-league ground
soon!
For those that didn’t know, he had a stroke back in
August and is slowly recovering and, more so linked with the question above on
influence, I miss not being able to speak with him as much about football – I
hope that comes back soon!
Before you became the man behind the tweets.
You played a bit. Spells at Notts County & Walsall as a child alongside
playing at Gedling & University football. Do you have any standout memories
from playing?
Errrrrrm… not really, in truth. Academy football was
great, but I kept myself to myself and I think that’s why I might not have
enjoyed it as much.
Arguably, the best times that I had was at Calverton
Miners Welfare as a kid. We were all 15/16-year-olds playing in the NSL
Division Two and we battered everyone!
Grown men getting taught how to play football by kids –
it was brilliant. We got kicked pillar to post but we all stuck together
through it. Great days!
I very much enjoyed my university football down in London
for the same reasons – a great group, before going out on a Wednesday (as it
was then!) for a few jars.
We had some wonderful players for a year or two. Former
Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Tottenham scholars – they were magic.
For a few seasons, my partner at the back was Dwayne ‘Agy
D’ Agyemang, who plays for the YouTube team, SE Dons (some might have heard of
them!)
A great guy and I’m glad to see him and them all doing so
well! He ignores your DMs now, though…
Naturally, we didn’t do too badly over my three years
studying – again that helps!
Being in the first team at any University is something I
was proud of, and we played against very good southern-based teams and on some
absolute carpets.
From there, however, injuries got in the way and now I
much prefer being in the position I am rather than playing.
Notts County fan. Do those friendlies Basford
play against Notts always feel a bit more special for you?
Yes and no, to be honest. A weird answer, granted.
However, a lot of the Notts teams that have come down in the past are much
different to what will feature in the first league of their season.
It’s often been the kids and trialists who never sign but
it’s always nice to have Notts come down, especially as a fan but more for the
quality of opponent.
The game in pre-season just gone was the odd exception
where a lot of first teamers featured – that was superb to be involved with.
Being up close and personal with the staff, players, and
fans – whom I know a few on social media etc., is great. It was made even
better because of how strong Notts were.
Luke Williams was brilliant to speak to and there was a
fantastic crowd in on a lovely summer’s evening to witness a strong Notts
performance (though we did go one up!)
Dinner party. Marc Williams & 4 guests
dead or alive. Who’s getting an invite?
Marc Williams
My two late grandparents (nana and grandad)
Barack Obama
David Jason (the biggest Only Fools fan!)
Your All time Basford 5 a side team
1 Keeper,
1 defender
2 midfield
1 striker
Keeper: Kieran Preston – Unreal between the sticks
and I’ve often said he’s the best ‘keeper at Step 3. There’s a very funny chant
for him that we all sing but it’s got rude words in it.
Defender: Dom Roma – Mr. Reliable and will never
let you down. Made his Sheffield United debut under Neil Warnock as a kid and
he’ll tell you he should’ve gone pro. I only believe him sometimes…
Midfielder (1) Terry Hawkridge – Don’t need to say
much else about the well-known Tel. Magical with his feet and stood out every
week for us, as he is doing at Worksop now. Sometimes, you just had to stand
back and admire.
Midfielder (2) Jordan Helliwell – I’m going to be
a bit cheeky here as he wasn’t a midfielder, but did play high-up the pitch in
a wing-back position so that counts right?
Either way, he came on loan to us from Barnsley last
season and was unbelievable. No surprise now that he’s since made several
appearances for the first team at Oakwell!
If he doesn’t qualify as a midfielder, then probably Luther
Munakandafa. As a Notts fan, I’ve known of Luther’s name for a season or
two now.
On loan from Meadow Lane, his first half an hour away at
Tamworth was ridiculous. They’re currently top of the league, but I’ve never
seen a left-back struggle so much against a winger in such as short space of
time – maybe Stratford at the weekend.
Unsurprisingly, he set up the goal that night (as he did
the two on Saturday). Magic in possession and strong as an ox! I hope he makes
it; I really do! Great kid and a fantastic family, as well!
Striker: Rob Duffy – just before my time at Basford, but I’m sticking him in. He was on the coaching staff when I joined but I’ve watched him play in the past many times before and he was animal – someone who you want up there and knew where the goal was. Lovely, lovely bloke, too!
If you could pick out 1 tweet so far that’s
been your favourite, which one would it be and why? (If you have the tweet to
screenshot too).
My one against Boston when Kieran Preston saved the last
penalty. Good gracious what a moment!
A close second is the video I took of the fans after the
match against Solihull Moors.
We lost the game, but the 200+ away fans never shut up
and they carried on long after the final whistle. I’d be hard pushed to find a
louder noise at any non-league game this season from the away end. It was spine
tingling!
A chance for you to promote Basford, if
somebody has a free Saturday afternoon & Basford are at home. Apart from
“trams, cans & a few hundred fans” what should any potential visitor expect
at Greenwich Av?
A friendly and warm atmosphere. From top to bottom
everyone is as welcoming as each other and it really is a wonderful place to be
around.
From the board room to the bar, everyone has a smile on
their faces and just want our visitors to have the best day possible with
minimum fuss.
You’ll meet players and management who want to get to
know you and really take their time out to say hello and introduce themselves,
all with a friendly attitude.
Our fans are the best, though. The ‘Ultras’ coined the
above term with the tram line just behind the far-side goal – it’s brilliant,
isn’t it? Really encapsulates a match day experience at the Avenue.
New or old, you’ll be taken in to enjoy the 90 minutes as
one but descending in the bar for a pint and a natter afterwards. One thing you
won’t do visiting a match day is regret it!
Basford aside, I’m a huge advocate of non-league football
anyway. Whether you’re from Nottingham or not, you should ALWAYS support
your local, non-league club, even if you’re a season ticket holder/regular
attendee at a big gun.
They need your support to survive and every pound counts.
Seeing non-league grow as it has done over the past few years has been a joy to
witness, but it can get better.
It deserves to, it’s utterly brilliant and I wouldn’t
ever change it!
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| Marc with young Freddie. Son of a fan & coach. Marc's biggest fan & a family feel at Basford United |
Finally, Marc. If you could report on 1 game
from the past. Which would it be? and how would the monumental tweet go?
Hmm… a toughie, this.
The Watford – Leicester game was something special when Anthony Knockaert missed the penalty only for Troy Deeney to win it seconds later up the other end.
If social media was as prominent then, it would have been
something else.
There’s been a few games, but if I could have been the
Watford admin for two hours during the game, it’d probably be that. I think I
might have sworn!
Something like:
Penalty. Leicester. [90’]
--
ALMUNIA SAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Include emoji here)
[90’]
--
JSDJNAJSBGJKABHFBHJGBHADBHGJABVSGHAVCGVAGSCVAHGDVEGVFESNDJLKASBHDLJKBASHDBAVSLJHDBAHJK:FBASH:KDBAJKGBNEHJFBAJVNAKJHFBWJFBWKJFBEKHFBHEBF
TROY BLOODY DEEEEEEENEEEEEEEY!!!!!!!
Thanks, Luke – I appreciate you having me on, mate!
Thank you for coming on Marc, I'm sure everyone can agree that was a fascinating read.
I now have 2 blog series on the go with "a sit down with..." which is this longer form in depth interview & "In Profile" which is a quick fire profiling of players. I am also looking to launch both "My Club & Me" alongside "Groundhopping & Me"
If you would like to feature on any of the blogs above please drop me a message or a tweet. I would love to feature you and I really enjoy putting these together and hearing about everyone's football stories
Until the next one
Luke @PL2NL
