In a new feature on the site is a collection of interviews with various websites which cover football in specific areas of the world. Hopefully this will give an insight into the work of people who share their knowledge of the game.
Part 1, with Bundesliga Fanatic, can be found here.
Part 2 with Scottish Soccer Show, can be found here.
This week it is Caribbean Football,
1. Tell us a bit about yourself/the team/contributors?
My name is Nathan and I’m 17. I run the blog by myself with occasional guest posts from the small network of writers that we have. I’m based in the UK and all information you see is more or less found online.
2. How did you first get interested in football from the region you cover?
It originated from a lack of interest in mainstream content. I wanted to delve into something a little different and try to learn about a region where football is relatively under-covered. I first stumbled across CONCACAF football before narrowing it down solely to the Caribbean and the rest is history. But I truly don’t have a definitive answer – becoming interested in this region was a combination of curiosity and luck.
3. What inspired you to start your site?
I realised that Caribbean football was scarcely covered so my intentions right from the outset were to set up a blog where people could log on and gauge a basic understanding of what it’s about. I thought it would be something quite niche and cool to do – I wasn’t bothered (and to an extent this remains the same) about hits – I do it for the love and it’s a very rewarding experience. I already knew how to operate WordPress so I took advantage of that, designed The Home of Caribbean Football, and now here we are.
4. What is the purpose of your site?
The purpose of my site is to deliver high quality content and compelling articles, trying to make more and more people aware of the game’s existence in the Caribbean. A lot of people and football followers don’t even know football is played on the islands so the primary aim is to inform and enlighten them. I want to provide exposure, help football grow in the region and be of as much help as I can. To everyone who follows and reads my writing, I’m eternally grateful. You’re doing your bit. The site is a powerful tool and I like to think I use it to full effect.
5. Summarise your site in your own words.
If I had to sum The Home of Caribbean Football up in three words it’d be: laid-back, interesting, rewarding.
6. How long has the site been running?
It’s been on the web since June 9 2012, so around two years.
7. How has the site grown since you started?
It’s grown pretty well. At the very beginning views were more or less non-existent and hardly anyone knew about the Twitter page @caribbeanftbl. Now the page is closing in on 2,000 followers and the blog receives a decent amount of readership. As I said before, though, this doesn’t really bother me. Of course I want to get it out there but the primary reason for running this project is because of the joy. I don’t generate as many views as a lot of other sites but I tend to plug a fair bit on Twitter and this helps. Now a more significant amount of people have heard about The Home of Caribbean Football. I’ve talked to some fantastic people, made some great contacts and I do not regret starting the blog in any sense.
8. What has been the most popular article/feature on the site?
The most popular/well-read article was a piece on the former Trinidad & Tobago international, Akeem Adams, who at the time (October 2013) was fighting for his life after suffering a major heart attack. I simply documented his story and this received 2,000 odd hits. In December he sadly passed away. He will never be forgotten.
9. How do you keep up to date with the region you cover?
It’s reasonably difficult because obviously I don’t live in the region I cover, I’m a long long way away trying to do the best job possible. I use the CONCACAF and CFU websites as well as island newspaper sites to find news updates to then relay on social media and maybe use as an article feature. I try and maximise resources by constantly being in touch with what’s going on – you’d be surprised, there’s *always* something happening in this region. I love covering the international scene as much as the domestic divisions, the players as much as the coaches. The region is rich in talent and potential. My ultimate dream is to fly out to the Caribbean to write about the game there on a permanent and paid basis, or cover a Caribbean country at a major international tournament. I will endeavor to achieve this dream and won’t stop working hard until it happens.
10. What advice would you give to other football writers/bloggers?
From personal experience, my advice would be to find a niche because this helps enormously in opening up new opportunities and doorways. To truly believe in what you’re doing and never give up, stick to your guns and really go for it. You make your own luck so you will get out as much as you put in. Finally, enjoy what you’re doing. Have fun but remember to work hard.
Beware Flying Footballs 