MacDonald to enroll on university course
Charlie MacDonald is about to sew the seeds for a future career in the media.The 32-year-old striker (pictured), preparing for life once his playing days are over, is enrolling on a degree course at Staffordshire University.
The two-year course is for a BA (Hons) in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.
Course tutor is former professional footballer Lawrie Madden who is now a freelance for Sky Sports as well as other media outlets.
Former students on the course have included ex-Latics' players Tony Carss and Gareth Owen as well as the likes of Scott Minto, Clarke Carlisle and Kevin Kilbane.
And joining MacDonald this year will be former Bolton Wanderers' midfield man Fabrice Muamba who had to quit playing following a much publicised cardiac arrest.
Since news broke about MacDonald planning to do the course, he has been in demand.
He is to appear this afternoon on Talk Sport at 3.05pm to discuss the course and also on BBC Radio Manchester between 6pm-7pm on their tea-time sports show.
MacDonald said: "When I decide to finish playing, and I have no plans to do so for a number of years, I want to stay in football.
"I don't want to go into coaching, but the media excites me as it will enable me to stray involved by watching games and talking about players.
"I am comfortable speaking on radio and television and have a decent knowledge of the game and have had a half-decent career."
MacDonald believes he is ideally qualified having played in the Premier League for Charlton Athletic and even dropped into non league before resurrecting his Football League career.
He views the course as ideal as the bulk of the work is done online and in the form of home study with a study block at Staffordshire University at the end of the next two seasons.
"I only have to go to university once a month during the season and then for a one or two-week block at the end of this season and next as well as undertaking work placements."
MacDonald has already been offered work experience at Talk Sport.
He is to appear this afternoon on Talk Sport at 3.05pm to discuss the course and also on BBC Radio Manchester between 6pm-7pm on their tea-time sports show.
MacDonald said: "When I decide to finish playing, and I have no plans to do so for a number of years, I want to stay in football.
"I don't want to go into coaching, but the media excites me as it will enable me to stray involved by watching games and talking about players.
"I am comfortable speaking on radio and television and have a decent knowledge of the game and have had a half-decent career."
MacDonald believes he is ideally qualified having played in the Premier League for Charlton Athletic and even dropped into non league before resurrecting his Football League career.
He views the course as ideal as the bulk of the work is done online and in the form of home study with a study block at Staffordshire University at the end of the next two seasons.
"I only have to go to university once a month during the season and then for a one or two-week block at the end of this season and next as well as undertaking work placements."
MacDonald has already been offered work experience at Talk Sport.