Friday Freebie: A Life In The Day

A guest piece from Michael Grimes

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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a reporter on a Saturday afternoon and done in time to be in print in Sunday’s Non League Paper? One of my newest subscribers Michael Grimes is one such reporter and this piece below is his ‘A Life In A Day’.

I’ve been working with the Non League Paper (NLP) since 2020, starting from a simple 120 word report to doing some of the top games in the National League. Though tough at times it is usually enjoyable and always an adventure. It helps I’m a bit of a groundhopper so don’t mind the travel or randomity of doing different grounds nearly every week.

Usually I’ll get a call on Thursday prior to the game, sometimes even later on a Friday if a reporter suddenly drops out. As a freelancer I don’t have to accept an assignment, it’s very much my own decision. Sometimes the games can be out of the way, being based in London I generally get asked to the ones in the capital or surrounding areas. However sometimes it can be further; I’ve covered Ramsgate, Eastbourne United, Hythe and Braintree to name a few last season, which is a bit of a hike, especially as I travel by public transport.

Once I’ve taken on the assignment I do a bit of research on the internet, basic league stats, last results, the managers’ names, nicknames etc. If I’m doing a short report I don’t have room to put a lot of detail in anyway, most of the words are about the game anyway, but it’s always good to get a bit of detail in and give some context to the match. Some clubs don’t have up-to-date websites, so it’s worth cross-checking facts before taking them as gospel.

On the day I may have other non-writing work to finish off in the morning, so it’s an early start. If it’s quite a local game, within the London area, then I have time afterwards to do a bit more research, prepare my notebook with facts, and even watch a bit of football on TV. Otherwise I’m off, train tickets bought in advance (Network Railcard a big pound saver here).

Arriving at the ground hopefully about an hour prior to kick-off, though I’ve had a few occasions, usually due to transport, I’ve just scrapped the start of the match. At bigger grounds I may get a formal pass but usually it’s just a name on the turnstile. Again this doesn’t always work, the email sent by my editor hasn’t been read or forgotten to be put down on the piece of paper the turnstile operator has, this is usually remedied by saying those magic words ‘I’m from the Non-league paper’! However that doesn’t always work, so getting someone higher up the chain of command and mentioning my editor’s name usually does the trick, once even the steward who spoke to my editor wouldn’t let me in…however even he relented eventually.

Once in I always buy a programme, if available, this is just me in groundhopper mode, but they can also contain other bits of data I can use in getting the feel of the club, especially on my first visit. Then I find the ‘press box’ or area to write. This can range from just finding an empty seat in the stand, to the norm of a seat at the back of the stand with the fold-away desk. Some clubs, especially in the National League can have better facilities and hospitality. Some clubs just leave you be, others invite you into the boardroom for some sandwiches and food. Dulwich Hamlet’s chairman even poured me a beer, after my report was done of course.

One of my gripes is when clubs don’t have a printed team sheet, occasionally they don’t even put it online or, as is common now, a board which you can photograph. Though everything seems to be online these days, I still use the old note book and pen, and having the team sheet printed out in front of you is a lot easier than using your phone to check, especially as I use the timer function to record the game time. I do bring my laptop, but many clubs don’t have internet access from their press areas.

As for the game, I record the  key moments and incidents in my notebook, including times, subs, goals etc. You’d be surprised how tough it can be to get the number of a goal scorer sometimes, hidden behind a defender, not showing the number, mobbed by the team, and when he comes out of the huddle it’s like a parlour game. So I do occasionally ask a fellow reporter next to me, if none are around then a fan of the club. OK, it may look a bit embarrassing, however it is better than getting it wrong; my job is to communicate the facts to the readers, not to look like I know everything. Therefore if there is a local radio broadcast then it is great to sit next to them, as you are getting a free commentary and they usually know the clubs playing inside out.

At half-time I usually try and write up the action on the first half, around 100 words, sometimes that’s tough if it’s a boring game, but that’s where your facts you have compiled come in to fill in the report. I do think in terms of words, length of report and how I’ll construct it before the game even starts. It may go something like this: intro 30 words, maybe some info or further general info about the game, first half report maybe 100 words or so, another 100 plus for the second, managers’ interviews can take up another 100-150 words then a summary of what the result means. The editing stage means this can get changed about…sometimes annoying when the flavour or even small facts are changed, however there’s not much I can do it happens to everyone.

When the final whistle goes, then the pressure is on. I have usually 2 hours to get the report in, which is usually fine, however I also have to wait to get a manager’s report, sometimes they are ready to give a general interview to their own club’s media within 10 minutes, so I just stick around and get the basic thoughts on the game, nothing really in depth as I don’t have the room to write that. Sometimes I have to chase them up, wait around outside tunnels, dressing rooms etc. Most managers are happy to give their opinion, some think it is fun to question you, however I don’t get involved in ‘banter’ and ride it over.

If there are stats to do I have a separate piece of paper I’ve done this on, and have to work it out…however sometimes I ‘cheat’ and can find this info on other websites.

By this time, the report written up and ready to go, which is usually around an hour after the game the ground is empty, in winter, dark and cold. I can usually get an internet connection and press that magic button ‘send’ and job done. However it’s not always so simple. Occasionally there is no club house, not internet connection or the bar staff won’t tell you it. The latter is usually handled by getting some official from the club to help, once the chairman of a club interrupted his meeting, crossed the car park, going behind the bar and personally giving me the code, before censuring the staff for not telling me. If there is no internet connection then I find a nearby pub or if not too far away from home go back there. If running over deadline because of this I do let my editor know, usually he’s fine, once on a late kick-off I kept getting calls whilst trying to do the report…agghh! I just had to explain I couldn’t finish as I kept getting phone calls, that handled it.

Once done I feel free, another match down, time to go home and watch a game and not have to think. I’m not a full-time reporter so this is a release and pleasure to work on, each game is an adventure, a chance to meet other people. Despite travelling alone I never feel alone at the game, always a conversation to have, more to learn, more places to go.

Overall I enjoy it, yes some stress at times but I wouldn’t change it for anything.