How to start writing about football
Sports, and particularly football, journalism is massive. Football is a keystone in British culture for many people. And across the world. Fans want to debate, learn, discuss and watch football. There is a constant hunger for transfer rumours, club news, interviews from managers and analysis of players and matches.
Football writing and journalism comes under several main categories:
- News
- Tactics
- Stats
- Opinion/Insight
These are reasonably broad areas. And can be mixed and combined. In my opinion an article which combines all four is a winning one.
Write
Two and a half years ago I started writing on my own blog with a strong focus on stats. I didn’t have much idea what I was doing, but I liked football and wanted to use stats to understand it better.
I wrote about how I thought Jamie Vardy was overrated as Leicester stormed the Premier League. I looked for a replacement for Gerrard at Liverpool. Compared how players performed when they transferred from the Eredivise to the Premier League. And started using radars.
My articles were barely seen and it was a while before I started using social media to promote them. I just enjoyed writing and learning.
Learn
The summer I started my website I scoured the internet for anything stats related in football. I bookmarked them all and read. Taking a few notes and implementing ideas into my work.
I also read The Numbers Game and Soccernomics. Both are great reads that any football fan will enjoy. They’re brilliantly written so that they aren’t stats heavy and are easy to consume. They answer interesting questions and bust myths.
I’m planning on writing a reading list of football content soon, so watch out for that on my Medium.
Research and Watch
The best way to learn about football? Watch it.
When I watch football I can’t help but analyse movement and passing. I implement everything I read and write. Or I try to at least.
It’s also good to be able to switch off. When I watch my team, Cheltenham Town, I’m behind the goal in the terraces and can’t analyse from the angle, so I can fully enjoy the match and atmosphere.
Research comes from compiling data or video. WhoScored is the go-to for data. But Strata is also very good and growing. If you don’t have access to a scouting tool you can easily find match footage online.
Once you have your idea or question, use your research to answer it. Use data to back up your points, create clear, aesthetic viz and offer an opinion and an answer.
Be Patient
If you’re writing is good then people will come. Focus on content. Be active on social media. Especially twitter, where the football analytics community lives. For the coaching community I recommend Linkedin.
Write for bigger sites. ESDF Analysis is always looking for new writers. And Chance Analytics is a great place to display work also. Regional newspapers are also always looking for new content, for example I wrote this recently for Gloucestershire Live. You’ll get noticed. Then use wakelet to collate your work and create a portfolio.
