UCFB Future Sport 2018

PARTNER CASE STUDY
UCFB partners with… Blackpool FC
Brad’s tangerine dreams
Blackpool’s promotion at the end of the 2016/17 season brought relief to the Lancashire seaside town
following years of relegation and struggle. UCFB student Brad Lucken was there the whole way beside the
club’s chief executive Alex Cowdy, seeing just what it takes to run a professional football club…
“BRAD HAS REALLY IMPRESSED ME
WITH HIS WORK ETHIC AND ABILITY
TO THINK ON HIS FEET”
A
phrase often heard during football commentary
is “he’s really put in a shift today”. More often than
not it’s to commend a young player for a great
performance.
The same can be applied off the pitch, too. The
individuals leading businesses, football or otherwise,
around the world will have put in a similar ‘shift’ to get to
where they are now. For UCFB students and individuals
who aspire to work in the ever-evolving football industry,
they’re required to put in those hard yards through a
variety of placements and internships.
Taking this on board, student Brad Lucken is going about
the right way of making himself known to the right people,
having spent the majority of the 2016/17 season with League
One newbies Blackpool as assistant to the club’s chief
executive Alex Cowdy.
Ending the season with a play-off win at Wembley
was an added bonus to a vital part of Brad’s
professional development. In his wide-ranging role,
Brad has been helping Cowdy with the day-to-day
tasks that come with running a football club. His main
project though has seen him helping the club with
its equality compliance, as instructed by the Football
League.
“I’m really enjoying seeing how a football club
operates from within,” Brad said. “I’ve learnt a great deal
during my time here so far.”
And his work hasn’t gone unnoticed by Cowdy. “Brad has
really impressed me with his work ethic, proactive nature,
ability to think on his feet, and his willingness to get stuck in
to any task presented to him.”
Cowdy’s glowing praise of Brad isn’t uncommon of
UCFB students. UCFB’s Complementary Curriculum
and Employability team, led by UCFB graduate Danny
Stroud, are continually seeking out new opportunities
Mentor: UCFB student Brad reported directly into
the Blackpool CEO Alex Cowdy.
for its students by engaging with clubs, organisations
and individuals in the football industry. By setting up
these partnerships, the benefits are double headed –
not only do students expand their CVs, but employers
are gaining knowledgeable and highly motivated
individuals working within their business.
Brad landed the Blackpool job via such a partnership.
As with all work experience opportunities at UCFB, he had
to apply and go through an interview process with the
employer, in this case Cowdy, to get the job.
Brad said: “The networking skills and other skills I have
learnt during the Complementary Curriculum helped
me get the placement in the first place, and have since
helped me during my time at Blackpool.”
UCFB’s approach gives its partners in the football and
sport industry the peace of mind and reassurance needed
to know they’ll be employing skilled, competent individuals.
Cowdy added: “Danny and his team at UCFB ensured the
management of the application process, and sending across
a range of candidates with different skills for consideration
gave us a real depth of candidates to choose from.”
Brad studies BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing
at UCFB Etihad Campus.
Experience: Brad helped
to play a part in Blackpool’s
promotion last season
Tomorrow’s talent, today | 41