BBCís Lawro signs-up for students' paper

By Mark Welford and Rob Gill

Two third year students have scored a wining goal by signing BBC soccer pundit Mark Lawrenson as a star columnist for their newspaper.

Lawro agreed to write for the sports section of student-run paper The Preston Independent after being approached by BA (Hons) Journalism students Rob Gill and Mark Welford.

"We worked really hard to get in contact with Lawro and couldnít believe it when we eventually got to talk to him," said Mark.

Rob added: "He was really approachable and this was a wonderful scoop for our paper. I was delighted to capture such a high profile sports celebrity for our column.

Thrilled

"He took a lot of tracking down and so when I eventually got hold of him and when he agreed to work with us for the next eight weeks I was thoroughly thrilled.

"We had heard that our rival paper had got a column with a Preston North End player and so we knew that we had to beat that ñ I think having Lawro on board certainly does that."

Although Rob and Mark are reluctant to disclose the signing fee for the former Liverpool defender and Republic of Ireland international whoís a regular on BBC 1ís Match of the Day, Rob commented: "When the production line of our newspapers comes to close after Easter we hope to take Lawro out for a pint to show our gratitude."

Sunday Times

Mark Lawrenson said: "When Rob first rang me up I actually thought he was a journalist with the Sunday Times, but when he told me he was a university student I thought what the hell and was more than happy to help out."

Rob and Mark are members of an 18-strong team of students producing The Preston Independent, a 30 pence weekly. Theyíre competing against rival tabloid The Preston Journal, staffed by 19 third year students. Production of the titles is integral to the course for all third year UCLAN print students.

Senior lecturer in Newspaper Journalism Delwyn Swingewood said: "Rob and Mark showed great initiative using their contacts to get Mark Lawrenson. It left their rivals fuming over such a great signing. Itís wonderful that he agreed to help out these future journalists in such a generous way."

Rob and Mark hope to specialise in sports reporting. Rob is well on the way to fulfilling this ambition after securing a work placement with PA sports desk in January 2005.

More info:
BA (Hons) Journalism >

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