UCFB News

UCFB Wembley students were recently treated to an exclusive guest lecture and Q&A from the voice of British football, Martin Tyler. Students were delighted to gain an insight into the life of the man that was crowned ‘Commentator of the decade’ in 2007 and whose voice continues to be heard commentating around the globe today.

With a football commentary career spanning several decades, Tyler has worked for world-renowned sports broadcasting organisations including Sky Sports, Premier League Productions, ESPN, NBC and Australian...

UCFB students recently enjoyed the unparalleled opportunity to meet current television football pundit and former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England midfielder, Steve McManaman, in an exclusive guest lecture at UCFB’s Wembley Stadium campus.

The atmosphere in the Pitch View West Auditorium overlooking the pitch at Wembley Stadium was electric, with students eager to hear from and question the most successful English player to have ever played overseas.

Becoming an instant favourite with students, McManaman walked the Wembley cohort through his successful career,...

In the week that Greg Dyke announced the second instalment of plans from his Football Commission, the Football Association Chairman spared time out of his busy schedule to elaborate on his vision for English football with UCFB students.

Dyke gave a thorough assessment of the needs of English football at both a club and international football level and gave an insight into the plan for improving the game in the future. It was a unique opportunity for UCFB students to hear...

The Pitch View West Auditorium overlooking the pitch at Wembley Stadium was full for last month’s exclusive guest lecture with Sky Sports News Reporter Dharmesh Sheth. Dharmesh is one of the UK’s most recognisable sports broadcast reporters having worked at Sky Sports News since its inception in 1998, and became an instant favourite with UCFB students.

Dharmesh Sheth gave an insight into the rapidly changing media world, and in particular he discussed the challenges and experiences that he has faced within...

Since taking over as the CEO of Fulham FC in 2008, Alistair Mackintosh has garnered a string of accolades and plaudits.

In just his first season at the club, Alistair helped guide Fulham to a record finish in the Premier League (seventh), which also qualified the club for the following season’s UEFA Europa League. Not only did Fulham qualify for this tournament, but went on to finish runners up, after managing a 4-1 rout of Italian giants Juventus to snatch the two-leg...

The UK’s obsession with sport is clear for all to see. If it wasn’t obvious already, the 2012 Olympics certainly put it beyond doubt. Of course, the media has a huge part to play in this, and there are few more influential figures in this regard than Peter Salmon.

A Burnley native, Peter has played a key role in the evolution of Britain’s television industry over the past three decades. Having held various positions across the sector, he has built up all of the...

It’s fair to say that Rachel Brown-Finnis’ life in football didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts. Despite first getting involved in a boys’ team at primary-school age, The Football Association (FA) rules surrounding mixed-gender teams forced the Burnley-born goalkeeper to endure a couple of years away from the pitch before things could really get going. Eventually, however, she found her way to Accrington Ladies, making her first appearances for their youth team during her early-mid teenage years.

An early...

It’s hard to find a British athlete with more strings to their bow than Brendan Foster. A chemistry graduate, Olympic medallist, entrepreneur and MBE, Brendan is known as much for his soothing voice as he is for his sporting prowess.

Runaway success with driving ambition

From the poorly maintained track in Gateshead to the world stage at the Olympic Games, Brendan’s achievements are legendary. A record-breaking performance at the 1974 European Championships in Rome resulted in gold for the 5,000m. Back home and while training for more competitions, Brendan...

Seventeen years is a long time to have any job, but in football terms it’s an eternity. This is how long Jamie Carragher spent at his beloved Liverpool Football Club before retiring in 2013, so it’s easy to see why the Anfield faithful hold him so close to their hearts.

The defender has a few prizes to show for his time at the Merseyside club as well, having been victorious in a number of major tournament finals – one of which...

Julie Harrington joined The FA in March 2012 as Managing Director of St. George’s Park. She came to the team from her post as Operations Director at Northern Racing where she spent eight years. Now considered an esteemed figure within The FA, Julie has the impressive job of managing its multi-million pound complex and around 350 members of staff.

Although horse racing has dominated Julie’s career, football is her first love. In just a few years she has seen the successful launch of Burton’s branch of the national football centre for...