Any favourite moments that stand out during your time here? Honestly, my first week at MatchFit set the tone for everything that followed. Coming in as a junior, I got to join a shoot for the EFL with Jack Wilshere, one of my favourite players. I realised right away at that moment I was in the right place. Since then, there have been so many highlights. Working on LiveScore’s Evolution of Fan Report, a 100-page book on football fandom and tech history was incredible. The client, media, and industry loved it, which made it even more rewarding. I could go on and on with the countless brilliant memories, but these are probably the standouts.
How has your role and the wider agency evolved since you first joined the team?"Evolution" is the perfect word for it. I joined as the third permanent staff member when the agency was in a relatively embryonic stage. Fast forward three years to now, and I’m leaving behind an excellent team of 15 (I know that number will keep rising). The journey has been wild – three different offices (some draftier than others...), a secondment and seeing brilliant people come and go. Starting as a junior and now leading teams across multiple big-name clients, I’ve had opportunities here that I couldn’t have found anywhere else. I’m genuinely proud to have been part of MatchFit’s growth and lucky to have been mentored by the best in the business. While I’ll be watching from afar, it won’t be long before I’m on the phone to the guys for some advice.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given at MatchFit?It’s hard to choose just one because working with such brilliant people means you pick up something every day. If I had to boil it down, I’d say the best advice was to truly back myself and don’t fear my ideas. Creativity thrives when you take risks, even if a few of those turn into some notably bad ideas.
Do you have a particular coverage highlight to hand? Classic print coverage is always particularly nice. Last year, we activated LiveScore’s free-to-air UEFA Champions League streaming in Ireland with a live fan event in Dublin. Evan Ferguson, Denis Irwin, and Emma Byrne all took part, and seeing all the coverage splashed across all the national newspapers the next day as I walked through Dublin Airport was a great moment.…and okay, sharing a Baby Guinness with Denis Irwin wasn’t bad either.
What will you miss most about the MatchFit culture or team? It’s been amazing to just be myself here. The team shares the same passion for sport, and that connection creates something special. The Monday morning meetings after a MatchFit derby were always interesting, especially hearing Rob Leary’s questionable takes on Liverpool. There’s also the MatchFit Sporting Moment, where each staff picks out a unique sporting experience. Going to MSG for a Knicks game was an unforgettable bucket-list moment.
How would you describe your overall experience at MatchFit in three words? Three words? That’s tough, but I’d say: defining, fulfilling, and memorable.
Huge good luck for the future, Charlie. You're going to be a huge miss!
