Sometimes, you go above and beyond experience and knowledge to deliver something that is not usually what you're known for. I've never produced a poster before, but with my (somewhat growing) knowledge of Photoshop, I've found myself creating some amazing things. Either way, there's a fine line between art and media, and this has probably been the one that has danced the most along this line.
Click below to look at the offering in more detail:
In the third of my match reports for the Colonials, I cover the third home clash in a row, which was held against the Brooklyn Italians. In another close game, only one could triumph; sadly, it wasn't the Colonials.
For more information, click here.
The New Jersey Blaze are 1-1 after two games and aim to get another three points against Pocono Snow in their home opener, after beating the same team away in the first match of the season (and franchise history) in East Stroudsburg.
Here is what is to be expected from the Blaze.
In Friday's double-header, the Morris County Colonials will take on the Brooklyn Italians, who currently lead the division. Following an emphatic 3-0 win over the Boston Tea Men, the squad looks to get its first back-to-back wins of the campaign.
Learn more about the tie here.
In the best game of the season to watch so far, the Magic travelled to Perkasie in Pennsylvania to take on the BuxMont Torch in 35C (96F) heat, which was only exacerbated by the 3G surface (which ramped it closer to 41C - 104F).
Sadly, the game didn't go to plan despite a remarkable comeback. The story can be found here.
I had the delight of meeting Ed Garber, the Blaze's honorary owner, last week. A die-hard Yankees fan, the man has constantly tried his best to get involved in sport and the Blaze provided him with the opportunity to step up to the plate. I really like the bloke and it seemed fitting to produce an article on him, as he learned the ropes of the sport.
Read what he had to say here.
In another match preview for this month, I detail the goings-on at the Magic as they prepare to cross the border to face the BuxMont Torch. To quote their website, the Torch "use the platform of soccer in a way that reflects the calling of God to be holy, the mission of Jesus to save the lost, and the filling of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's will". While I'm no believer myself, I've got to admit it's a pretty admirable take on faith.
The match report can be found here.
I produced another media guide for the New Jersey Soccer Group, this time an eight-page offering for the season, which inserts will be placed inside. Click on the front cover below to see more.
In the second game of the double-header at FDU College at Florham this weekend, the Millburn Magic played their season debut off the back of a great season in 2009, where they reached the regional final.
Getting off to a good start against New York Athletic Club, their exploits can be read about here.
The first game of the double-header this weekend turned out to be a great one for the Colonials, who were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to the New Hampshire Mountaineers on the previous Sunday. One man in particular stole the show.
Read about it here.
Although I was unable to make it to Maryland for a number of reasons - sadly missing out on a chance to see Baltimore - I managed to catch up with the Select coaches after their first-ever game - one that was a remarkable surprise for all involved, particularly if going by the stats.
Read more about Jersey Select vs Chesapeake Charge here.
The Millburn Magic are playing their first game of the season this weekend, so coverage is pretty hot at the moment. In the second of the pre-game reports (rewritten to point at the correct audience, but also include other teams to expand their markets too), I look at the opener.
The press release can be found here.
The Boston Tea Men aim to make it three wins in four days with the Colonials, though it's never that easy in football. Here, I preview the weekend's games in the first of two write-ups, with this focus being on the Colonials.
Click here for more info.
Another article hits the site today, and it's all about head coach George Rhea. While this is only a small part of the work I do for the organisation (the press releases, I mean), it's still something that's worth sharing.
Click here for more on this story.
The Millburn Magic operates on a number of levels, notably age groups, so it was good to catch up with Sean Kiernan, the Manchester-born U20s coach and assistant coach at the team, to find out more about the programme.
Click here to read more.
Another puntastic headline carries on the tradition of first sentence megaLOLs out here in the US. While I was not in attendance due to commitments at the Colonials home game, I gathered information from several sources, phone calls and chats with the head coach to provide the full picture for Blaze fans.
You can read the report here.
This game proved to be a very divided affair, with one team dominating the first half and the other triumphing in the second. In the first of two rather negative releases for the week, it is also an example of the first home game I've worked on while being here.
The article can be found here.
In my first ever game report, I travelled through to Pennsylvania to cover the clash between the Pocono Snow and the New Jersey Blaze. What's more, it was a cracking game, though in more senses than one.
I posted up the press release at the NJ Blaze website here.
Building upon previous efforts with the one-off for the first game, which can be found on my Flickr account here, I was able to extend the original publication of 12 pages (four in colour) to a full-colour 16-page offering that will act as an outer shell to the rest of the piece, which will be black and white-printed eight-page pull-outs. There is a slightly larger emphasis on sponsorship but in terms of percentage of product, it's much lower than that of its predecessor. It also acts as a cover for both the Morris County Colonials and the Millburn Magic, with boosted roster information.
Furthermore, it has a much greater focus on team colours, which are used on the relevant pages while a neutral black colour scheme is used for the rest in order to emphasise the branding of both squads, particularly through the use of relevant fonts (Old English and Playbill).
Click here for the rest of the offering.
I also work with the Sonesoccer Training Academy (STA), which provides a large amount of expertise to younger football players around New Jersey. One story recently focused on a tournament win for the BLaze, a great young team that succeeded in a tournament recently.
Click here for more info.
Yep, I know it's US spelling, but deal with it. In a couple of testing nights, I put together possibly the finest composition ever with Photoshop, taking into account various items of information and input as well as phone calls, emails and face-to-face talks galore. I think the finished product is so good, I put it on my Flickr account.
Want to have a look? Click here to see my handiwork. Another bigger and brighter offering will be coming on Friday for the full season to go into print for the following week; this will be released on Sunday at the season opener.
Another press release to hit you about the face and chin, as yet more players join the ranks of Morris County's finest men's club. While many press releases will be of this nature for the immediate future, expect game reports, previews and the like to follow.
Click here to read more.
In the latest release for the Jersey Select first team, playing in its inaugural season this summer, I report on a few more of the new additions to the squad.
Click here for more information.
In my next offering for the Colonials, I discuss yet more signings with the team - one I genuinely think will do well, given the strength of the squad.
Read more here.
The Jersey Select are a brand new team this season, so all the promotion possible is needed to ensure they get the best shot at success with fans as well as on the field, which looks almost certain.
Here's my first piece for them, again continuing with the issue of new signings.
