Profiles

It's not easy being Mark Stevenson. He has to work a six day week and even then he's on call if anything happens on the seventh.

Then there's his role at Field Mill. He's head of media relations (a press officer in old speak), the man who writes the match day programme and the bloke in charge of the website.

But what takes priority? Each of his bosses thinks differently.

Get your programme here

Perhaps the job under most threat is that of programme writer, although, even in this day of news on demand, Mark believes tradition will ensure the old ways remain for a few years yet.

"I do love compiling the match programme although it does take up perhaps too much time.

"Last season there was just too much in it for one person to put together. It was a 72-pager, only 20% adverts, so that's a lot of editorial.

"You really have to start a week before the game commences."

Up to date

Mark is one of the new breed of press officers. He's grown up with the internet having started his career straight from school at Notts County in 2003 as a 16-year-old.

Many fans want instant news via the web but their appetite is already changing.

"Supporters are looking for more visual and audio material rather than the latest news in a written format.

"I think it will go even further with innovations like Twitter."

Competing with the web

However, he believes there's still a market for the traditional match programme. The trick is to make the information different to what's on the web.

He's introduced features on players' homes and quizzes involving the footballers.

"I think programme sales at all football clubs have gone down since the introduction of the internet but it's still such a long standing source of information.

"There's still a little bit of romance when you buy a programme."

Mark reckons he'll sell around a 1000 programmes every home game. He makes a profit... just.

Always on call

Football stories can break at any time. The web means new information is always available so Mark has to be on call to verify or rubbish rumours.

"Fortunately you can do it from your home but going in to football you know what it's all about.

"You have to be there on demand 24/7. You've got to be on your toes."