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Marching On Together: How English Literature Graduate Beren Cross went from BSU to reporting on one of England’s elite football clubs

Wednesday, 14 October, 2026

Football is often considered to be the beautiful game but the journey to the hallowed turf can often be anything but. For ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ English Literature graduate Beren Cross, football has become a job like no other, taking him to the press box at some of the biggest football matches in the country.

Beren graduated from BSU in 2011, having started his English Literature degree in 2008. While he already had an ambition to become a journalist, he chose to study English Literature because he wanted to develop a broad set of skills before specialising.

“I knew I wanted to probably be a journalist and so I didn't want to specify too early by doing a journalism undergrad elsewhere. I wanted to do English because I thought it gave me a bit of grounding.

What was great about Bath Spa was that it wasn't too big. You would go out and you would sort of know everybody. It was the overall package of being in a beautiful campus combined with a stunning city.”

Beren’s English Literature degree also provided skills that have proved invaluable throughout his journalism career. Starting at a local paper in Swindon and now working as a Football Writer for one of the UK’s most prestigious outlets, , covering Leeds United, Beren has seen his fair share of major stories and memorable moments.

“Studying English Literature does give you a specific kind of resilience and ability to work under pressure. With the reading, you develop those analytical skills, and essay writing helps hone your tone of voice.”

That connection is particularly evident in Beren’s current role for The Athletic, where he produces in-depth, long-form journalism, analysing the game in a way that goes beyond your average match report.

“It's such an obvious connection to make between essays and long-form journalism like The Athletic likes to do. It involves introductions, setting out your arguments point by point in a clear way and then coming to a conclusion.”

Beren’s route into sports journalism began with a willingness to gain experience wherever he could. During his time at BSU, he spent his summers working on the sports desk at the Lincolnshire Echo, gaining practical experience alongside his studies.

“Every summer between… after first year, after second year and after third year at Bath Spa, I would go to the Lincolnshire Echo… and I would do the entire summer for free.”

His career subsequently took him into daily news journalism in Swindon, before roles covering Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United. He joined Leeds Live in 2018 and has now spent more than eight years covering Leeds, including the last 18 months with The Athletic.

Despite the pressure and demands of covering one of English football’s biggest clubs, Beren says he still feels incredibly fortunate to do something he loves.

“I’m very, very lucky to do a job which feels quite vocational and is such a joy.”

A career in sports journalism is a highly sought after golden ticket, with Beren reflecting on the journey that helped him arrive at Elland Road, the home of Leeds United. His experiences have also given him a clear message for students looking to establish careers in journalism, sport or the wider creative industries: make the most of every opportunity to gain practical experience.

“Whenever and wherever you can, just get the work experience. It might not be paid. It might be long hours… But if you really want it enough and you really want that to be your job, ultimately, you just have to do it.

Try to suck the life out of the course. What use is it doing a student-led video package interviewing students around Bath Spa?… It's the skills it's using: the software, how we put together a video package, how you edit footage, clip it together, put some music on it, make sure your audio levels are correct. It’s all incredibly valuable to the bigger picture.”

More than 15 years after beginning his studies at BSU, Beren’s journey demonstrates how a broad academic foundation, and a willingness to grasp opportunities, can help open doors to careers that may – at first – feel a world away from what you first mused.

And for a graduate now watching football alongside some of the most passionate supporters in the country, the privilege of the job has certainly not been lost.

“You try not to take it for granted that you're sat there amongst 40,000 people… you get goosebumps just being there, so it's an immense privilege to do it… that journey to get there started at Bath Spa.”

Looking to start your career in the world of sports? BSU’s Journalism and Publishing course could be the perfect place for you to kick off.