Football-mad Matt finds his perfect match after landing a job with championship-winning Cobblers

A graduate from the University of Northampton is celebrating after landing his dream job with the football club he’s supported since he was a boy.

Matt Derrig has been appointed media and marketing officer for League One outfit Northampton Town Football Club, after completing a successful two-year internship at Sixfields stadium while studying for his Multimedia Journalism degree.

“I’ve been a football fanatic since I was about five years old, and being from Northampton, to have the opportunity to get experience at my local club, who I grew up watching, was a genuine dream come true,” said Matt.

“Now, to get a permanent job with the club means a lot to me – to be able to have a career in an area you enjoy is very important and if I wasn’t at the University of Northampton, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now.”

Watch Matt talk about his new job here:

Matt was able to get his foot in the door at Sixfields, thanks to the club’s close ties with the University.

The University of Northampton has been the Cobblers’ principal partner since 2013, when it became the club’s main shirt sponsor – a deal which was renewed for a further three years in February.

The partnership means students, like Matt, can benefit from internships with the club, work experience and participate in takeover days at Sixfields.

“I really enjoyed my time at the University, and particularly the hands-on training I received as part of the Multimedia Journalism course,” said Matt.

“I produced radio and TV broadcasts, which gave me a good opportunity to really home in on what I wanted to do in the future.

“The assignments were really engaging, I had the chance to get out there and speak to people, build up contacts and the Uni’s close links with Northampton Town meant I was able to benefit from the internship with the club.

“I’d go to games, cover them on social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – and thanks to the experience I had gained on my course, I was able to adapt to the work quickly.”

Matt’s new, permanent role will see him continue his match day media duties, keep the club’s online content up to do, film, edit and upload press conferences, while also helping out with general marketing duties.

His arrival at the club in 2014 coincided with an incredible turnaround in the Cobblers’ fortunes. Matt’s first game saw Northampton beat Oxford United to secure their Football League status on the very last day of the season. The Cobblers then followed that up with a healthy mid-table finish in League Two in the 2014-15 season, before storming to promotion to League One in what was a record-breaking season for the club.

“I seemed to time my arrival perfectly,” said Matt. “Ever since I arrived we’ve gone up and up, so of course I’m taking the credit for that.

“Now I’m excited to get cracking in the job as we look to life in League One.”