A high-flying journalism graduate from Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Leicester (Âéw¶¹´«Ã½) has landed her dream job at the richest and most successful Premier League football club of the last ten years.
Alice Wright started her first full-time job at Manchester City FC earlier this year writing for the club’s website and app as well as matchday programmes and an online magazine.
“Man City have been so amazing and supportive. It’s everything l could have dreamed of, and more," said Alice, who last year graduated with first class honours from Âéw¶¹´«Ã½'s Journalism BA course.
“It’s just confirmed to me that it was 100 per cent what I wanted to do. So far and they’ve given me a little bit of creative freedom to look into the areas that I enjoy like women’s football.
Alice could hardly have landed at a better club to pursue that aim; Manchester City’s women’s team have been a major force in the women’s game since turning professional in 2014.
The club has just finished fourth in the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL), having been pipped at the post last year after ending up equal on points with Chelsea at the top of the table, but losing the title on goal difference.
The 21-year-old, who has already interviewed and written about England international Laura Blindkilde Brown and Republic of Ireland’s Tara O'Hanlon, cites Emma Sanders, the BBC's Senior Women's Football writer, as a major influence on her.
“She’s been a big inspiration for me,” said Alice, “especially in my last year at university when I actually interviewed her. It was really great to speak to someone who’s such a female role model especially in women’s football.
“That’s something that I’m really passionate about, showing young girls that there are roles for women in football, whether they are on the pitch, or writing, or presenting. I like to think I might play a minute part in paving a way for the future.”
“I’ve always had a passion for football,” she explained, “but it wasn’t until my last year of A-levels that I realised I wanted to pursue sports journalism as a career. I really loved English, and I really love football so it just made sense. As soon as I decided that was what I wanted to do, I just locked-in and really focussed on it, and here we are.”
In her final year on the BA Journalism course at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Alice was highly commended in the Sports Journalists’ Association Academy Award 2024, and was named Outstanding Journalism Student of her year. She was also shortlisted in two successive years for the Football Writers’ Association Student Football Writer of the Year.
During her time at time at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½, Alice did work experience at the Mail on Sunday, and volunteered as a media assistant for Leicester City in the Community, and said her three years at university were some of the best times of her life.
“All of the lecturers are just so amazing at what they do,” she said. “If it was not for them telling me that you need to go out and get that experience, I probably would not be where I am today. I took their advice and I ran with it. I could not have asked for more from my uni.”
Congratulating Alice on her new job, BBC football writer Emma Sanders said: “I’m delighted to see Alice follow her ambitions to work in football and take up an exciting role at Manchester City. It will be an invaluable experience I’m sure and one which could be the start of a long career ahead in football journalism.
“Alice interviewed me last year and spoke about her ambitions to work in football. She was enthusiastic and passionate about following in the footsteps of other female journalists in the industry.
“It’s always great to see a young journalist make their first steps in their career and I wish her all the best in her new role. I’m sure I’ll see her around the club soon.”
Lee Marlow, Senior Journalism lecturer at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½, praised Alice’s determination and diligence.
“Alice graduated with a first class degree from Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ – but it was what she did outside of her studies that set her apart,” said Lee. “She was a pleasure to teach and I know all the staff at Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Journalism wish her well in her new career. We hope to get her back to speak to future Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ sports students so they can follow in her footsteps.”
Posted on Monday 19 May 2025