Central Insider: George Carden
- Louis Wishlade
- Jan 29, 2023
- 3 min read
To kick off the new year, we caught up with an old friend of the club, George Carden. Often spotted on the Central sidelines, George was a key cog in the media machine for the 2018/19 season and has gone from strength to strength as a full-time journalist since graduating. Here's his story.
George, originally from Brighton, graduated with a first in Multimedia Journalism from the University of Salford in the summer of 2021.
After moving to Manchester for his studies in 2018, he immediately joined the backroom team at Central, which helped the then-18-year-old was able to find his footing in the Northern Powerhouse city.
"As someone from down South, it was brilliant to be able to work for a team in Manchester and experience the local areas within Greater Manchester. I found the opportunity at Central was great to meet new people and see different parts of the city."
A keen student, George won the Sports Journalist of the Year Award and was voted the Third Year Student of the Year at the University's Journalism Awards 2021, as well as finishing as runner-up at the Creative Students Awards.
Now, George works full-time as a journalist for the Brighton Argus, a role which has led to his nomination for the NCTJ Excellence Award for News Journalism - which is set to be adjudicated at Twickenham Stadium in March.
During his time at Manchester Central, George experimented with new skills and techniques, providing some insight into the sports journalism industry and allowing him to diversify his skill base.
"Working at Manchester Central definitely gave me a great insight into the sports journalism industry, but it also allowed me to have fun and see what media skills I enjoyed within a serious working and learning environment."
"I really liked being able to try whatever I liked, whether that be writing, interviewing, commentating, photography or videography. It is a great platform."
"Obviously, I have pursued the written journalism route for my career at the moment, but working at Central has provided the foundational skills and experiences in all different elements should I wish to switch specialities in the future."
A core part of his role at the Argus includes sports journalism, reporting on events including Littlehampton Town FC's visit to Wembley Stadium for the FA Vase Final in May 2022 and fulfilling his boyhood dream of covering his favoured Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
According to the budding correspondent, the time he spent with Manchester Central in 2018/19 was vital to developing the key skills which form the foundations of his sports reporting role, stating that this was partly due to the club's working environment.
"It is a brilliant place to develop your talent, especially if you are a budding sports journalist. They offer complete flexibility at a good standard of football, an environment where you can develop with industry-experienced people such as Josh, Paul and Chris who were all great to work with."
"They are very encouraging and whilst I felt a little nervous at the start, particularly with interviews, but everyone is friendly and places no pressure on you. They want to push you and give you opportunities in new skills, but if you don't like it then that isn't a problem, you can just do the things that you are comfortable with."
But George's time with the club wasn't all work, as he cited enjoying the social aspects of grassroots football.
"I can't quite pick out a favourite on-pitch moment from my time at the club as a lot of the games seem to blur together when you cover them, so I would have to say the best part was the end-of-season night out in Manchester! It was great to celebrate a good season with where a group of talented players nearly won promotion."
Finally, George gave his advice to the current media students who find themselves in a similar situation as he did in 2018, expressing the importance of seeking opportunities and a strong work ethic.
"For current students who are looking to make it in the industry, I would say that the most important things to differentiate yourself are to put in the extra work outside of your lectures and seminars."
"Honing your skills is really important, it helps you to stand out and gives you great experience. Central was great for this and I really couldn't recommend it highly enough. My other tip, though, is to get yourself some good quality gloves for those wet and windy winter days around Manchester!"
"In terms of the media side, if you are looking to get into that world, then I couldn't recommend Central enough. The club offers a fun yet serious environment with opportunities to gain skill and experience in whatever you like - whether that is photography, videography, commentary or writing."
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