Lincoln City's biggest fan
no.14 Matt Chambers
Red Passion's Daniel Jennings says a big ‘Hello’ to the Wrexham Mail's Sports Editor
Background: I wrote to the Mail, asking if I could spend some time with their Sports Editor on work experience. They replied in the affirmative - so I spent a brilliant week with Matt Chambers, the Mail's soccer man.
Setting: We went to the Chesterfield-Wrexham game together last year. On the way there we got seriously lost - and on the way back I interviewed him. This is what he had to say:
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When did you first get interested in journalism?
"When I was about 16 or 17 and went on Work Experience at the local newspaper, the Lincolnshire Echo. I got to work on some sports stories there - that's really where I got the interest from."
How did you get into journalism?
"After Work Experience I finished my 'A' Levels and went to University where I worked on the college newspaper, covering sports. I kept in contact with the editors and members of staff at the Lincolnshire Echo and also went to work there during the summers."
Which football team do you support?
"I've followed Lincoln City now for about 12 years."
Do you still get to watch them?
"I only saw them once last season but fortunately it was when they beat Chester at the Deva."
What was your first journalism job?
"When I left University, the Lincolnshire Echo offered me a job. I worked there for six months on the Sports Desk covering Lincoln City, so it was pretty much my dream job."
Why did you leave?
"As every journalist will say: when you start out, the pay is appalling."
Where did you go from there?
"I sent out about 80 applications for jobs and, luckily for the Chester Chronicle, they offered me a job. I worked as a sub on the Sports Desk where I designed the pages and put cheesy headlines on boring stuff. I moved down to Chester, where my sister was already living as she works in Nantwich, and I shared a house with her for a while. Then I got my own place."
When did you join the Wrexham Mail?
"I really wanted to get back into the writing side which I'd been doing at the Lincolnshire Echo, so when Jon McEvoy left I decided I'd go for the Sports Editor's job at the Mail. Me and Jon know each other quite well so he told me a bit about Brian Flynn and the Wrexham squad and I've been Sports Editor since."
What do you think of the Wrexham strikers?
"Russell proved a revelation last season, returning to his old striking role, but I feel that it's still an area that needs strengthening. Faulconbridge needs a guiding hand, I think; he can misfire. Morrell has a role to play in the side, but some new players will have to be bought in this position."
The midfield?
"Darren Ferguson has proved himself invaluable and his new contract will see him at the Racecourse for the next couple of years. Danny Williams' strength and size add a bit of dominance and he always works hard. Gareth Owen's just a Wrexham stalwart. Paul Barrett is also a very influential player when he's fit. Last season he showed how he can direct the midfield - and he's an invaluable playmaker. Robin Gibson has been superb down the right-hand side: always running, he's a little livewire who's always causing defences problems. Martyn Chalk has always got stuck in when he's come on but possibly doesn't get forward enough. He always works hard."
The defence?
"Brian Carey's a rock. As long as he's there Ridler or Roberts always seem to play well with him. I don't think there's enough experience between Ridler and Roberts to form a defensive partnership themselves yet. You need a player like Carey in there because he's an influential captain who gets everyone fired up. McGregor and Hardy have been caught out on quite a few occasions lately - so that's another area that could be improved upon."
The goalkeeper?
"Well, Dearden's no Andy Marriott. He's proved that he's a good shot-stopper, he doesn't flap and he kicks well from bad balls or when he's under pressure. Last season he kept Wrexham's survival hopes alive with some very important saves."
Cheers Matt - thanks a lot!