Derby County Football Club

My current work placements are taking place at Derby County Football Club, a Sky Bet Championship club making huge strides in order to reach the Premier League. Below you can see an in depth look into the work I am undertaking here, providing me with a world class insight into the way in which a multi-million pound sporting brand operates. 

 

DCFC Scarf Giveaway 18th October 2015

The Derby County fan scarf giveaway was the first opportunity I had to get involved with some work experience since I started University in September 2015. 

I was tasked with collecting season ticket holder's vouchers for the free scarfs, provided by owner and chairman Mel Morris, and in return handing over the limited edition piece of merchandise. 

Although on the face of it this may seem like a basic task, it allowed me to see the general preparation taking place around the iPro before a big match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This meant that I could invision the tasks that I may be asked to do in the future, and meet vital members of Derby staff, all of this vital preparation for the coming 3 years. 

 

Community Department 4th November 2015

The Community department placement was my first official day at Derby County during my degree. 

Here I assisted the Under 18's team on a matchday, by helping the coaches run the set up for the fixture, and giving my advice on the way the match was heading. This also allowed me to take a step back and observe how different people manage different groups, and how I could put this into my own practice and develop of my own weaknesses, by using what I could see the 2 coaches doing.

 

Commercial Department 19th-21st November 2015

My 3 days in the commercial department at Derby County provided me with a real desire to acheive in my degree, and land work in a similar role to that of the employees I was working closely with. 

My roles in this department ranged hugely, from putting posters up in the stadium concourse toilets, to hosting the 'Pedigree' hospitality suite for the matchday against Cardiff City. 

Work placement is what people make of it. Although I spent the first day completing the more basic tasks, they had to be done. Without employees completing the basic tasks, time would be taken up for other employees who were working on major projects for the club. Whilst I was doing these less productive duties, I made time to ask for meetings with senior staff to pick their brains on the world of sport and see how I could reach their position in the future. Even though this wasn't a compulsory part of the day, it was without doubt the most inspiring part of the week for me and gave me a real drive to push forward and make a great impression.
 

Marketing Department / Drayton Manor Family Day 4th-5th March 2016

The first placement of 2016 gave me a taste of work with an external company to Derby County Football Club. 

Drayton Manor Theme Park took over my placement on the 5th March, vs Huddersfield Town, and I was completing tasks for them on this particular day. 

I, along with a few other colleagues were tasked with engaging with fans and getting them to enter Drayton Manor competitions by taking 'Selfies' and adding Drayton Manor hashtags. This was a great day for me as it allowed me to get face to face with the Derby faithful and communicate with them about all things Derby and Drayton Manor. The feedback I got from public and staff was very pleasing, and I still hold this as one of my most enjoyable days of placement since I started the course in September.