A UCFB graduate has been speaking to us about how his degree has progressed his career to working in elite-level football media.
Lewis Cockburn, who studied MSc Football Communications and Digital Marketing, now works at AFC Bournemouth as media and communications manager.
Looking forward to the club’s first season in European football, Lewis has rocketed up the football pyramid in such a short space of time since graduating from UCFB.
Speaking about his role at The Cherries, he said: “My job consists of all aspects of media, really.
“Anything to do with press conferences, interviews with the players, working with the players very closely every day, day in, day out. So having a good relationship with them is very important to my role.
“Also, working on press releases, match reports, being at every game and being involved right at the heart of, of the football on every match and the build-up to the match.
“Obviously with Bournemouth finishing sixth last season and heading into Europe, in the Europa League next season, there are going to be a, a lot more requirements next season.”
He added: “Working at the top level of football was always a dream of mine, and when the Bournemouth opportunity came about, it was something that I took with both hands.
“Sometimes you have to pinch yourself a little bit because you are working with guys right at the top of their game.
“It’s amazing. I’m working at different grounds around England and places that I grew up watching.
“UCFB were doing a degree in, in Football Communications and Digital Marketing, and I thought it was right up my street for what I wanted to do.
“Without doing that, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Lewis went on to speak more about his time studying at UCFB.
“A lot of people do university just for the sake of trying to get a job, but I actually just enjoyed it.
“And you know, being in there every day and speaking about football, and talking about the media side of things, and learning all about that; Yeah, it was an easy decision for me.
“I obviously had to move to Manchester, so that was probably the biggest thing. It was just moving away from back home. But yeah, it was Manchester. It was a great place to study.
“Obviously a massive football city, and then being able to say you’ve studied a football communications marketing degree in Manchester, I think sets you apart in a lot of ways.”
Take a look at UCFB’s wide array of undergraduate sports industry-related degree courses, focusing on fields such as sports coaching, as well as business and media.
You can also view a prospectus to learn all about student life at UCFB, from courses to campuses.
