'Exclusives', in the form of 'access' to playing and coaching staff. As s**** as most of it is (most player 'interviews' also come from Comms team), it sells. People will always want to read this kind of stuff, what the players and managers are thinking after/in the run up to games. It's as good as a monopoly for NCJ in the region. Journal, Chronicle, Sunday Sun all NCJ...
The papers can't print quotes without club sign off - so cut out the middle man (i.e. the player). Remember when Santon signed and said "I never saw a Mackem in Milan!" Christ, it's all so contrived - how don't people see through it?
Very little of what NCJ reports is 'journalism', however you define journalism these days... and most of the information that they report (print would be more fitting) on a daily basis, if not all is spoon-fed to them by the in-house PR team at the club.
The 'direct line' between Oliver and Shepherd (that Ryder told me personally about) now exists between the communications (PR) team at the club and Douglas/Ryder. Ryder's own views are limited to his blog and webchats. NCJ cannot afford to bite the hand that feeds - and instead works as a sounding board for the club's agenda. As you may have already guessed, every press statement (including Llambias') from the club is written by Wendy Taylor and co. approved at boardroom level, and distributed to the press.
I've been advised by a national tabloid sports journalist that they couldn't report such a story without some form of recording.
Hardly the scandal of the century now, is it? Every sports desk at a local rag is utterly beholden to the Premier League club(s) that they report on.
Only reason I'm talking about the maligned local press is because they would never report a 'scandal' in a full-blooded manner.
What I find scandalous is the club having a targeted ROI on players.
What you're saying about holding onto him until the summer makes no sense, surely if what you're saying is true and the club do want to make a nice mark up on players January is the time to cash in.
Don't know how long this secret scheme can run like, you're onto them already.
I personally think you're f***ing micey.
