Sun sports sub-editor returns to UCLan

By Nick Townsend

Sun sports sub-editor Dean Scoggins gave undergraduate journalists a taste of Fleet Street.

During a whistle stop tour the UCLan graduate gave a few valuable pointers to third year students about subbing and first year students an insight in to his job.

“You can’t afford to be precious about your copy. It will be rewritten, that’s what subbing is all about. The Sun’s style is punchy intros, short sentences and snappy headlines. Always be economical with words. Don’t overwrite,” he said.

Initially Dean wanted to be a football reporter and hadn’t considered subbing. But a spell on work placement whetted his appetite. He was hooked.

Dean doesn’t crave bylines. “I get a real kick out of seeing stories in the first edition with headlines I’ve written,” he said.

Sun training scheme

Dean who graduated from the BA (Hons) Journalism course in 2006 was one of six trainees taken on out of 1,000 hopefuls by Britain’s biggest selling national daily. Two contemporaries, Mark Hudson and Andrew Ewart, also impressed the selection panel.

After an intensive eight months training which included spells with The Sun, Press Association and regional newspapers the trio were offered jobs on the red top.

Dean warned students that journalism is fiercely competitive. “You’ve really got to work hard and love your job, which I do. I’m also fortunate having so many great people on the sports desk who are willing to share their experience.”

BA(Hons) Journalism course leader Julie Freer said Dean had given students some wonderful advice. “It’s great to see that our students are talent-spotted by the nationals.”

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