AFR X Ball Street X Ian Wright

Real fans clubbing together

At the weekend we learned a lot about what #ClubTogether is.  It's fans standing up against the status quo.  Fans realising that, to make a difference, we can work together and get the things we want.

In the case of Jack Cox and everyone connected with Bath City FC, it was getting exposure and getting people to #PackThePark to #SaveBathCity.

Jack invited us to City, a club in danger of folding unless they sell the home they have played at since 1932.

@ball_street you guys should come to Bath City on Saturday and experience rival teams #ClubTogether to help a non league club.

January 28, 2013

At Bath, we met fans that are willing to step forward and make a difference; fans that are tune with what football should be.

Jack, a Bristol City fan, started a Facebook page to get fellow Robins to #PackThePark at Bath.  Joining Jack were fans from clubs  across the country - from the Bristol clubs to Luton, Swindon, Plymouth, Tranmere and Chelsea.

What we love about Jack is that he didn’t just stand by and watch.  He didn’t want to accept that a local club should be allowed to die and be ignored by a media focussed on catering to a mass market.  He has tried to connect with people and do something about it.

We started using #ClubTogether because we believe fans of all clubs can change things by working as one.  We have a vision where the league a club is playing in doesn’t determine the quality of insight and coverage that it gets and if we club together we can change things.

But as Jack has shown, #ClubTogether is much bigger than that - use it to tell us what's important to you and your club.

If you want to get involved, then get in touch via twitter  @ball_street,  www.facebook.com/BALLSTREET or drop an email to clubtogether@ballstreet.co.uk.

Which of these feet did the 239 league goals come from?

This was an honour...

Everyone follow @ball_street and check out this video!! bit.ly/451Promo can't wait to watch the show @ianwright0 !!

— Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) March 26, 2013

Episode 3 of Ball Street's 451 show with Ian Wright.

Send us your fan video

In true Ball Street style, we need you to ClubTogether with us!!!

During our live transfer deadline show on Monday 2nd September 7.30pm-11.30pm we’ll be featuring videos from our followers and fans about their team’s transfer window.

We’d like 30 seconds on each of the following:

  #DayOfHope

Everyone hopes that their team makes the right deadline day moves – what business would you like to see your team do on deadline day?  This could include players you are being linked with or positions that still need addressing.

  Your window so far

How do you rate the business that your team has done in the window so far?

  What transfer broke your heart?

Tell us about a player leaving your club and why it left you broken hearted.

  Best moves of the summer

What are the signings you’ve been most impressed by?

    PLEASE FILM THE CONTENT SO YOU'RE CLEAR IN VISION, DON'T SIT IN FRONT OF A WINDOW, MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU'RE USING A SMART PHONE, YOU USE IT LANDSCAPE (ON IT'S SIDE) NOT PORTRAIT (NORMAL WAY UP)!

  ONCE YOU HAVE FILMED THE FOUR ANSWERS, PLEASE SAVE THE FILE AND USE A FILE TRANSFER SYSTEM (WETRANSFER IS A GOOD ONE) AND UPLOAD THE VIDEO AND SEND IT TO INTERN@BALLSTREET.CO.UK

VIDEOS BY MIDNIGHT THURSDAY 29th AUGUST PLEASE

Ball Street Job Opportunity

Role:  Ball Street short term paid internship (London)

Start date:  Immediate (August 2013)

  Ball Street is a new football media company that makes original football content for digital platforms.  For additional background, please visit the following links:

http://ballstreet.tumblr.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/Ballstreetchannel

  Overview

We are offering a 4-6 week internship for the right candidate

to work with us on an exciting project.  The role would suit

someone who is keen to get a grounding in sports media with

an exciting start up business and who has a genuine passion

for football.  Tasks may include, but are not limited to,

research, editorial input, video production and office

management.

  Ideal for someone within a reasonable distance of London,

the role will pay the minimum wage (up to £6.19 per hour).

Ideally you’ll have your own laptop but this is not essential.

  Desired experience

Football fanatic with a good understanding of what Ball Street represents

Sound knowledge of existing and emerging social media platforms

Knowledge of the football media landscape and blogosphere

Previous video editing, blogging or writing experience a plus

Solid writing and communication skills

Excellent research skills and a keen eye for detail

Confident telephone manner, energy, focus and ambition

Applications from graduates welcome but not essential

How to apply

Send a CV and covering letter with any relevant examples of football writing or video production by email to clubtogether@ballstreet.co.uk and reference Ball Street Internship in the title.

  We look forward to hearing from you!

UPDATE - the people have spoken

What a 24 hours that has been.  Couldn’t sleep for excitement and my eyes are so sore from reading the whole of Twitter last night.  Thought it would be good to take stock of where we are.

Firstly, this is our company blog.  The company was only formed recently, but Ball Street is an idea that Stuart and I had a good while back. 

“Most fans are underserved by the media”

We loved the response to Wrighty’s tweets.  Many fans see it the same way we do: most teams get 30 seconds of highlights per week with little insight.

@ianwright0 Coventry and about 2 minutes on the football league show. Not enough media for outside prem in general given fan base.

— Gilby (@skybluegilby) January 21, 2013

@ball_street Everton main one, we could win the league and the media would talk about the rest of the prem having a off day.

— Ian McMenemy (@ianmc23)

@ball_street Fantastic! Hopefully more fans get on board and you + fans as a collective can really make a difference.

— Nick Murphy (@NickDRFCMurphy) January 21, 2013

That's just a fraction of the responses, with many supportive of the idea that fans outside the top 6 are underserved by the media.

To clarify, we're not having a pop at the BBC Football League highlights show, or questioning the logic of Sky showing the matches that generate the most viewers.  However, we are questioning the lack of depth and quality of the media coverage outside the top 6 in general and we want to help make a change.

We don’t have all the answers, but we do want to be a part of the solution.  We want to improve the media experience for all fans.

As Wrighty says:-

  Morning all, overwhelmed by the response yesterday. @ball_street are you watching? The people have spoken - lets get something done!!

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 22, 2013

Some old friends and many new friends and followers have rallied to the cause, asking to help out.

We’re meeting up with Wrighty and the others today to discuss what we can do.  This feels like the start of something big.

  Matt, football fan/dreamer

"Without fans who pay at the turnstile, football is nothing. Sometimes we are inclined to forget that."

Jock Stein, Celtic Manager 1965-1978