The Football Blog Awards take place this Thursday, and Birmingham have two representatives on the shortlist.
Matt Lynch, from Birmingham has been nominated for the “Best Young Football Blogger” award whilst Aston Villa blog 7500 to Holte have been shortlisted for the “Best Football Club Blog.”
Lynch, 18, is the editor of Read Aston Villa and a writer for avillafan.com. He started writing in 2012, and said:
“I have always wanted to be a journalist from the age of 13 and I’ve always loved Aston Villa.
“I decided to set up my own blog about Villa and it has all spiralled from there with my love of football and passion for delivering my thoughts through blogs coming through.”
Now studying Broadcast Journalism at Nottingham Trent University, he is looking to make a mark in the media world, saying:
“I’d say I have further aspirations than just blogging.
“I love blogging, but I’d love to be involved with radio or TV, though I certainly wouldn’t sniff at making a career out of blogging.”
Despite its international origins, 7500 to Holte have some Birmingham connections. One of these, James Rushton, a Birmingham-based writer said:
“Whilst the blog has its roots across the pond (founded in America), writers such as myself back up a home grown contingent that ensures our writing and opinions are as varied as the form of the club we all support.”
With more and more writers turning to the internet to publish their thoughts, the mentality towards blogging seems to be shifting. Matt Lynch said:
“There is a lot of positivity around it, though without a doubt some people still frown upon it.
“But overall it is definitely a more accepted form of journalism, digital is now an integral part of the modern media. Most news we consume is via the internet and without this, blogging wouldn’t exist.”
The view that blogging is a positive aspect of journalism is shared by Rushton, who is himself a Birmingham City University School of Media graduate. He said:
“I think that blogging is journalism without the pretentiousness, it’s both real and raw.
“I’ve always been told that journalism is presenting a story with empathy, which is the same as what blogging does.
“Blogging is journalism. As is Twitter.”
The awards take place on Thursday night at Hotel Football in Manchester. Asked about his chances of winning, Matt said:
“I am excited by it, but I’m just appreciative.”
