Member Article

Manchester FA uses Stockport firm to film all grassroots cup finals

For the 32 teams involved in 16 cup finals up to May 2018 there has never been a better time to be in the limelight as all Manchester FA’s finals are being filmed for the first time.

The progressive County FA has long been a supporter of video and this year have extended their commitment to grassroots broadcaster FilmMyMatch to make their cup final series the most widely recorded ever.

FilmMyMatch, based in Broadstone Mill, Stockport is one of the fastest growing providers of grassroots sports filming services in the UK.

The firm will have professional operatives and elevated camera mast systems at all 16 Manchester FA cup finals to capture the full game, from when the teams walk out the tunnel until the trophy is lifted.

So just like prime-time TV football coverage, participants in every Manchester FA County Cup Final – from Girls Under 12 Youth Cup to the Manchester Premier Cup – will have the opportunity to access a bespoke Cup Final Package video (including team line ups, live score, goal scorer names and match highlights) at a heavily subsidised rate of less than £10 per player.

Joel Buckle, Business Development Manager, from Manchester FA said it was a great way to celebrate their showpiece events and engage a wider audience in the excitement and achievements of teams from across Greater Manchester.

“This is something we only dreamed about a few years ago and now we are capturing all our cup finals – and all that goes with them – not just for us as a County FA, but the teams involved and their supporters and indeed all local football-loving fans.

“It allows us to leverage the power of original video content across all our online channels and showcase the standard of football at all levels – we are proud of all our leagues – this is a perfect showcase for that. It is also great for the clubs themselves.
He added: “FilmMyMatch is highly professional in what they do, passionate about sport and forward-thinking. They are great to work with.”

Dave Roe, Director of FilmMyMatch, said the opportunity for original sports video content was immense. “We have only been trading since 2014 and have already worked with over 2000 grassroots teams – including rugby, hockey, football as well as under-represented sports - in partnership with sports governing bodies and tournament organisers across the UK.

He continued: “Manchester FA have been enthusiasts from the start and have helped us pioneer affordable film-making at grassroots level.”

Manchester FA will post highlights from all finals on their website and social media channels within a few days of the game. Teams that purchase the full Cup Final package will receive a secure email link to the footage which can be shared with players, coaches, family and friends, and downloaded and saved as a unique memory of a special day.

Driving views online also presents a massive added value for sponsors. Traffic to the posted videos has been of particular interest to club and tournament backers who see new ways to extend involvement or create special connections. Sportswear company Kitlocker.com has been quick to see the opportunity, providing a full set of kit as a prize for a Goal of the Month competition for goals captured during Cup Finals across the country during March to May.

Oli Brierley, Planning & Activation Manager at Kitlocker.com, said access to the footage provided a whole new audience for the brand. “We are excited because we see how highly localised, original video content around matches can attract a distinct, well-engaged audience.”

FilmMyMatch is also pioneering live-streaming services. Dave again: “It is the next obvious step and we are confident we can now supply an excellent real-time viewer experience.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .