About me and the project
My name is Andy Durrant and welcome to the website for my final project for my Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from the University of Northampton.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love football, indeed, my further education journey as a mature student all started during Covid when I was going from one job to the next, and was wondering what I was going to do with my life, and a flippant comment of "let's learn how to talk about football properly and get paid for it" ultimately led me to this point!
During the pandemic, when football was played behind closed doors and was a frankly, soulless experience, we were repeatedly told that football was "nothing without the fans". Is that still the case? Was it ever the case? Was it just telling fans what they wanted to hear? This documentary aims to find out. I hope you find it enlightening.
I would like to thank everybody who assisted with the production of this documentary, from my interviewees, to those who provided a listening ear when I needed some inspiration.
Thank you - Andy Durrant
Andy Durrant
blog
How the documentary came together
October 2024
Pitched my idea to the university lecturers. This wasn't the first idea that I had, but after discussions, I felt it was the most workable. Indeed, as it transpired, one of my ideas for a TV documentary would not have worked at all.
November 2024-January 2025
The planning stage:
Between the months of November and January, after receiving approval for my idea from the lecturers, I started the detailed planning process for how I was going to carry it out. I thought about who I wanted to interview for it and what I wanted it to sound like. I also created this website and set up the social media sites.
February 2024
This was the month when work really got underway. I conducted the majority of my interviews, either in person or virtually. I also started editing, which I am glad I did, as it became apparent early on that this would take longer than I anticipated.
March 2024
Conducted final interviews and fine-tuned the documentary after meetings with my supervisor. Kept social media updated and started thinking about my evaluative essay.
April 2024
The release of the documentary on Wednesday 2nd.
A SELECTION OF MY INTERVIEWEES
MARK DARNELL
Mark Darnell is the chairman of Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club Wellingborough Town, having previously been involved with neighbours, Rushden & Diamonds.
MARTIN MALONEY
Martin is a Northampton Town supporter who also, when the Cobblers are not playing, likes to get out and watch non-league football to watch football on a Saturday.
ANDY ROBERTS
Andy Roberts is a former journalist and chair of Northampton Town Supporters Trust, the original trust movement in the UK, founded in 1992 in response to a financial crisis at the Cobblers.
STUART ANDREW MP
Stuart Andrew is the Conservative MP for Daventry and the current Shadow Culture Secretary, He served as Sports Minister in Rishi Sunak's government, and worked closely with Dame Tracey Crouch on the Football Governance Bill.
CONTACT ME
