U beauty – Dan nets dream job with Oxford United FC

A football-mad graduate from the University of Northampton has secured a dream move to his local club.

Dan Buckley has joined League One outfit Oxford United as marketing and supporter liaison officer – with the Sports Marketing graduate crediting his time spent at the University for helping him secure the job.

“If I can offer any advice for students, it’s to grab every opportunity to undertake internships and work experience while you’re studying – and do as much networking as possible,” said Dan, from Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Dan was encouraged by his tutors to combine his studies with work experience, and managed to secure a season-long internship as a match day marketing assistant for MK Dons Football Club.

He also became the general manager of a student start-up company which offered football clubs a consultancy service to improve the supporter experience.

Following graduation in 2015, Dan took up a marketing role with a global software company, but within a year had signed on the dotted line with the U’s.

“The reference I received from MK Dons helped me to get the job, without a doubt,” said Dan. “I’d also spent a lot of time getting in touch with people working at football clubs around the country, and I like to think this networking would have eventually paid off for me, had the job at Oxford not come up.

“To get to work for my local club is a dream come true, it’s a real privilege for me.”

Dan has joined United in what is something of a golden period for the club. In 2016, Oxford won promotion to League One along with Northampton Town – and reached the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley, losing by the odd goal to a Barnsley side that was a league above the U’s.

“This is a great time to join the club, but just because things are going well on the pitch, doesn’t mean things can’t be improved off it,” said Dan.

“Over the years, football clubs in the main have earned poor reputations for the way they deal with their supporters. Clubs have woken up to the fact fans are their lifeblood, and to have open communication is now a necessity, especially in the lower leagues where it can be harder to attract and retain supporters.

“Oxford have had an excellent relationship with the fans in the past, but I’ve already identified improvements that we can make. In fact, in my first week I held a Q&A on Twitter with supporters to find out what they wanted the club to do for them. There were some great ideas which I’ll be taking forward.

“I’m also planning to meet supporters’ groups and hold regular Q&A sessions at the club – I expect to be given a hard time by some, but that’s all part of the job!”

In addition to being the direct point of contact for fans, Dan is also heavily involved with the social media channels, the club’s community trust and women’s team.

U’s managing director, Greig Box Turnbull, said: “Dan’s is a key role that is so important to our commitment to being fully connected with supporters and to communicate all areas of the club. We know there has been room for improvement in this area and, having listened to fans’ feedback, we are all right behind Dan in making this a success.

“Dan will be in direct contact with the fans every day and has already made a very good start.

“He knows he is going to be busy; we have a family away day at Charlton that he will be taking the lead on, the women’s team are about to kick off a new season and we have some massive games coming up for the first team so he has had to hit the ground running. But he is young, bright and enthusiastic and I am sure will make a great impression here.”