Dan Madgin: Top 5 articles, 2024
- Daniel Madgin
- Dec 28, 2024
- 4 min read
A collection of articles, achievements and reflections on my journalism in 2024.
This year has been great in terms of progress. Still, I generally falter when trying to remember anything, and my work will inevitably be washed away in the cycle of journalism, where a new story becomes old within minutes.
At the start of each year, I wonder what I can do better in the following year. It is not exactly a New Year's resolution; it is a natural time to look forward when you are in January.
I can be happy with the decisions made earlier this year, where I have created a genuine feeling of being a journalist. It sounds ridiculous because that is my degree, my ambition, but it feels surreal nonetheless. I wrote my first article for VAVEL on January 10th, a website that had been staring me in the face for the previous year, it felt like an obvious move to make.
Either way, 76 articles later, I am delighted with my improvement this year, the progression in particular. At the start of the year I was writing solidly, but some of my pieces are a bit more adventurous at the end of this year. It leads to errors, sure, but if there is anything I have learnt from Ange Postecoglou this year, it is to be entertaining.
In the summer, I was moved up to be an editor for the Newcastle content and therefore gained opportunities to improve skills and do something that ordinarily comes later in the career of a journalist. The opportunity also arrived to attend press conferences and a few matches. It started at Hull City, who hosted Newcastle at the MKM for a friendly. Six hours of trains, little regret. I will always remember that day, when I left the press room and just smiled, thinking about the future.
I have been otherwise attending Manchester City press conferences. A pleasure, and a deeply fascinating few months. Pep Guardiola is a genius, his three-minute escapades into whatever is annoying him that day, journalists being snapped at for their questions. For my first consistent run of press conferences, it does not get much better than Guardiola.
Rangers vs Tottenham (12.12.24). Wow. I must have been as young as eight when I wished to write about my own club. Pinch me, because I was sat in a room with people I have admired for years. The atmosphere was immense, and whatever happens from now on, I can say I did report on the team I normally watch in the stands.
Aside from VAVEL, or even football, I am currently in my last year of university at Salford, which is a frightening thought. As part of the course, I locally reported on Salford Now, gathering stories typically of human interest.
My favourite deep dive has been into the coal mining history of Salford, which my friends are bored of me talking about. I have genuinely met some superb human beings, such as Paul Kelly, who has been kind enough to help me tremendously with my coverage and speak to me on multiple occasions.
I am proud of the ton plus articles I have written while balancing the degree. As always, 2025 is a year to do more.
Below are my five favourites from this year:
I visited Paris in August as a spectator and watched Rowing and Football. While enjoying the atmosphere of the French Capital, Leon Marchand was capturing the hearts of the locals. He kept winning golds remarkably, sweeping aside his opponents.
This story was particularly enjoyable to write, as I had first-hand experience at just how special he was to the French. That emotion was conveyed in the story, and I was proud to write about swimming, which, in all fairness, I do not regularly indulge in.
Most joy comes from research. Finding out about something, then informing others about it. Uzbekistan had never been to the World Cup, let alone the Olympics. No one from Europe is likely to have watched them, and a small handful might know who Eldor Shomurodov is.
I never had so much enjoyment from writing one piece. It was thrilling to find out more about the country, its history and its surprisingly good crop of young talent. I have no doubts that the country will thrive, and may even make the World Cup in the USA.
Finding out more and connecting with the small English-speaking Uzbek football community on X was superb.
On reflection, I should do more pieces with tactical insight. Most with a relative interest in football have an interest in tactics, and certain players and their styles.
Harry Kane was superb at the Emirates, despite only knocking in a penalty. I do admire Kane, so the motivation was there in that sense, but outlining what made it better than those watching on the eye.
Note to self: Do more of these in 2025.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of life) bill has caused great debate and is a subject beyond politics, but the importance of the constituents on how their MP would be voting was important to the people of Salford.
Therefore, it was good to be quick on this story and receive exclusive quotes from Long-Bailey for Salford Now.
As mentioned above, my involvement in coal mining has been compelling and so deeply interesting that there is more to come next year.
So many in Salford are passionate about their rich history, and the stories that come from it.
There are some superb untold anecdotes in this Substack, a platform that has great potential and can become the future of many successful journalists.
I hope you and I have a fantastic 2025!
Commentaires