How would you describe what you do? And specifically what you do at Versus?
I do many things! I create content, work on a podcast, direct, write (including scriptwriting), forecast and host. My role at Versus is to grow our community and showcase our platform as the future of football. It’s a mixture of creating the content while speaking about the future; things are changing, we are leading that change and making an influence.

As a small team, we all wear multiple hats. Mine just tends to be a little more public-facing than the others, but what most people don’t realise is that despite seeing a lot of me, the bulk of my work is behind the scenes.

As well as working at Versus, you are also a freelance strategist and host your own football show, Stoppage Time TV. Do they impact or inform each other?
Outside of Versus, I do a lot of other things creatively. The great thing about my role here is that I’ve been able to make it what I want it to be – it was not a prescribed role. I’ve taken advantage of this by making sure that all of my outside projects complement it.

My freelance endeavours are just an extension of my work at Versus without compromising or taking value away from that role. There are many lessons I have learnt from freelance gigs and projects that I have been able to implement into my Versus role as we grow further.

What recent project at Versus are you most proud of?
Our limited edition zine The Play List in collaboration with Nike. Making a product is an amazing thing and this was a project the whole team were a part of. Having something you are known for and making it into a tangible thing is truly special. Our captions (like I mentioned before) are for the community, so to cover community champions is an unbelievable feeling. The by-product of this is that so many young people will now see the zine, realise that creative writing is a thing and that you don't have to conform to the traditional way of doing things.

Outside of Versus, producing Three Generations: Football, Family and Black Excellence for Barclays with the Wright family (Ian Wright, Shaun Wright-Phillips and D’Margio Wright-Phillips) was also special. Expanding my creative skillset has been a big ambition of mine and to have my name attached to something so influential but also so real was a pleasure. I learnt so much about myself, my abilities and how I can keep growing, despite not being that experienced in this space. Of course, working with amazing people was great fun too.

What kind of skills are needed to do your role? And would you say you need any specific training to do what you do?
Public speaking, idea creation, problem-solving, critical thinking, being a people person, communication and tenacity. It’s really hard to describe it in all honesty. I am very fortunate that my role is an extension of my natural self, I don’t feel like I am working a job, I’m just doing me within the space I love. I think if there was one key takeaway or one skill, it would be to think outside of the box.

If you could pick one meme to describe what it’s like to work at Versus, what would it be and why?
[Below] There is an image of [footballer] Mbappe running clear on goal, and a defender dragging him back for dear life. This is the meme I choose, no discussion. Versus is a platform for the community first and foremost, and we have been able to cater to their needs. Many activations or levers we utilise are now also used by others which is normal in any field.

If you are doing something right, people are going to analyse and take the best bits. We pride ourselves on doing it for the community though, so this meme reminds me of that. We try and do stuff, and others cling on to it. This also reminds me of our famous captions too; our community literally love them and grab onto us the second we are late in delivering a caption on their favourite ballers.

How did you land the job?
I had been freelancing for VERSUS for a while while working my corporate job at Eurostar, and I realised that my calling was within the space. I then made a proposal with examples of what VERSUS could do with their platform and how I could be of value. After a while, opportunity met availability and the rest is history. My advice: be tenacious and identify how you can add value. Find that something you can bring to the table.

What was your journey like when you were first starting out? Did you find your feet quickly?
I did not realise that I had started the journey; I started a podcast as a means to communicate with my friends for fun, which led me to the Stoppage Time podcast. This then led me to write for the first time in years after completing the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) masterclasses. That was probably a significant moment because I gained so many tips and skills from top professionals, and realised that I really did have the minerals to cause a change.

If you could pick three things that you’ve found useful or inspiring to your work or career, what would they be and why?
The BCOMS masterclass – check it out!

Mentors and informal mentors; just learning from people who have gone before you, whether that is analysing people you want to be like or asking older colleagues or role models questions.

Lastly, friends because being able to voice the feelings you have about your career to good people is unmatched. Many nights I pondered whether this was for me but being able to speak to people who truly knew me helped.

What would you say has been your biggest challenge along the way?
Accepting who I am because, despite everything, I am very introverted. I thought it would be my Achilles’ heel because I didn’t want to be super out there, but accepting who I am has led to me feeling comfortable in how I operate. I have not had to change myself to do what I have done and I am super-grateful for that.

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
“Do, then say.” Everyone is quick to talk and big themselves up. Do the job first and then say afterwards.

Secondly, the mission is bigger than you. It isn’t about the accolades or people celebrating you. It’s about the change you can bring for those coming after you.

And lastly, don’t live life thinking “What if...” It’s important to take risks. You never want to look back and think “What if I tried to make something work?”

What advice would you give someone looking to get into a similar role?
Enjoy the ride and ask questions. Think bigger than you are currently thinking; you will make mistakes and that is OK. Just remember what you are doing the role for and that will light a fire within you that will never burn out. And of course, feel free to hit me up!