We say goodbye to our friend and valued colleague Joe Scott, who for the past season and a half has been an important part of Hucknall Town’s media team. From live matchday updates on X (Twitter) to writing articles for our matchday programme, Joe’s contribution has helped keep supporters connected to the club.
Although Joe had planned to remain with us until the end of the season, he has been offered an exciting new opportunity and leaves us with immediate effect. We wish him every success in this next step, and beyond.

Joe’s Journey to Hucknall

Originally from Maidstone in Kent, Joe is currently in his final year at the University of Nottingham studying History. He explained how he first came to join Hucknall Town:
“I decided it would be a good time to gain some work experience in sport media. I simply searched some local teams in Nottingham and sure enough Hucknall Town popped up. Fortunately, Hucknall were the only team I got in touch with because they got back to me straight away! After a phone call with Paul Burley, I was invited along to our next game at home to Sleaford where it had been agreed that I would write a match report. I ended up doing the X (Twitter) feed as well on the day which I was very keen on. Since then, I’ve been doing the X (Twitter) feed on a matchday whenever I am back in Nottingham and I’ve also done many interviews for the Hucknall Town programme.”

The Club’s Media Ethos

Paul Burley, responsible for Media and Communications, described how students like Joe fit into the club’s wider approach:
“As a club we have had a number of students work with us and a past student George Wilson still contributes to this day. I see it as a two-way thing and both parties have to get something out of it. For us continuity is a key aspect and for the student, acquiring new skills and experiences which they can use and take forward into future employment has to be an objective for them. There is a lot of work goes on in the background in between matches whether that be our web and social media-based content or our match day programme content and the last thing we need is a lack of commitment or quality of output. We have been fortunate enough to meet and subsequently select the right candidates to work with and before we embark on any relationship, we meet them and vet them. If by the end of that meeting we have not put them off, then it usually works out well. It is great when it works and even better when the candidate feels they have really benefitted from the relationship. The relationship sometimes continues post working with us as they seek employment and I get asked to provide references.”

Growth and Highlights

Joe reflected on how much he has developed during his time at the club:
“I’ve come a long way since I began back in February 2024. Being pushed outside my comfort zone was always something I struggled with, but very quickly I was made to feel at home. Fast forward and I am a lot more confident in myself and stepping outside my comfort zone. Not to mention all the skills I have developed — from writing articles to conducting interviews to operating club social media.”

There have also been many special memories for Joe along the way.

“There have been so many highlights during my short time here, too many to include them all. My first day on X (Twitter), my first interview with Joe Ashurst — and of course winning the cup last season, which I’ll never forget. But the main highlight has to be all the amazing and interesting people I’ve spoken to. I’ve met people who I know I will remain in contact with beyond Hucknall Town.”

And beyond football, it was the friendships and camaraderie that stood out most for Joe.

“The thing I’ve enjoyed most is meeting new people and the conversations we’ve had travelling to and from games. Often those chats had little to do with football — and that’s what made them so memorable. It’s those friendships that I’ll take with me.”

A Supportive Environment

Joe was quick to point out the role others at the club played in his journey.
“I have so many fond memories of Hucknall Town in a relatively short space of time. It’s quite astonishing how many fond memories I can recall in little over a year and a half. I will certainly miss the car journeys that I’ve shared with Ste and Becky and also Steve and Dawn. Not to mention my journey back from Lincoln United last season with Darren and Sean. What is probably most astounding is out of all the conversations I’ve had with these people as we go to games, quite frankly very little of what we’ve spoken about has anything to do with Hucknall Town Football Club. These conversations have often carried across onto the side of the pitch near the dugouts. Sometimes the lads in the dugout even find themselves tied up in our conversations, especially Darren! I think that’s probably what makes these memories particularly fond because, whilst there have been many memorable moments on the pitch, they have come outside of football.”

Paul agreed, adding: “Getting the right people on board is hard and sometimes when I have been approached you just feel that they maybe won’t have the right level of commitment. We are lucky on the media team we have Ste Cooling who does a fantastic job on our X feed and between him and Joe we keep all supporters updated during our matches. We also have George Wilson, but we always need cover and are always interested in meeting potential candidates. The greatest satisfaction is actually when these people start looking for permanent employment and feel we have given them confidence to go for opportunities out there in the workplace. We will always do whatever we can to try and help them in their quest for permanent employment in a role they desire.”

Looking Ahead

Joe now embarks on a new media internship with Carlisle United, a role that has brought his time at Hucknall to an early close. Joe is a lifelong supporter of Carlisle, having family located in the area. Looking ahead, he has his sights firmly set on a career in sports journalism or media.

“Once I have finished my degree in History, I’m hoping to pursue a full-time role in sports journalism or sport media. I may even look at doing a Masters, but whatever happens, the end goal is to work in sports journalism. On a personal note, I would just like to thank everyone here at Hucknall Town for my time here. If you are reading this, you have more than likely contributed positively to my experience — and for that, I am very grateful. I look forward to coming back to Hucknall again soon.”

A Final Word

Joe has been a pleasure to have at the club and all of us at Hucknall Town FC thank him for his dedication and enthusiasm. We are proud to have been part of his journey and wish him every success in his career in sports media.