In our latest staff Q&A, we find out about Colin Armitage, Head of Sport & Print
Which team do you support, and how did that connection start?
Hull City. 21st March 1987, my first game (they were my hometown club). At home to Derby County. A good friend of my mum’s took me to our old ground, Boothferry Park, a proper traditional football ground. Four free-standing floodlights with several dilapidated standing areas that wouldn’t get past the HSE nowadays. I was hooked from the word go. Andy Payton was my first favourite player.
What’s the most emotional match or moment you’ve experienced as a fan?
Unsurprisingly, following Hull. As a young lad I always said it was one of my dreams to see Hull play in the Premier League. In 2007/8, we played in the Championship Play-Off Final (and, I think I’m right in saying, first ever appearance at Wembley) which was an incredibly nerve-wracking day which we won 1-0, beating Bristol City thanks to a Dean Windass goal.
What’s a childhood sporting memory that sparked your love for sport?
The FIFA Would Cup 1986. It’s my first clear memory of a sporting event that really captured me – I was 8 years old. I remember it as it was the first time I’d been introduced to Panini football stickers, and I was on holiday in Scarborough at the time! Maradona’s Hand of God still bugs me now.
What’s a sporting mindset or mantra you try to bring into your workday?
In football terms, I guess it would be a pragmatic approach to playing, perhaps like Mourinho’s mantra. Be organised, be tough, be reliable and honest, take your opportunities when they come, work well in a team, and you’ll see the rewards.
What’s one challenge in your job that feels like being “in the final minutes of a close game”?
I guess you could say being heavily involved in contract negotiations and renewals with customers and suppliers. There’s a deadline fast approaching, and you know that every move will be critical for you to get the outcome you want. Tactics are critical to a positive outcome, and sometimes you might need to be more direct, as the clock ticks away.
Have you ever played sport competitively? If so, what did it teach you about performance, pressure, or teamwork?
I’ve played quite a few sports competitively over the years, football being the most predominant. I’m a player-coach for a men’s veterans football team so my leadership skills are really tested outside of work too. I find at amateur level, being successful it’s often more about togetherness, commitment, organisation and communication. We are good solid team without any “star” players. Just a good honest set of lads, and we’ve had success that way, achieving a cup and promotion (to the top division) double recently. We don’t score too many, but we certainly don’t concede too many either. The mantra “Strikers win you games, but defences win you championships” springs to mind!
What type of sporting bet do you think brings the most excitement — a last-minute winner, a long-shot outsider, or a perfectly predicted accumulator?
That’s a tough one….they’re all enjoyable! But probably an accumulator in the shape of a Bet builder. I’d consider myself a fair-weather gambler. So, if there’s a game on TV that I want to watch but have little to no allegiance to either of the teams, I’ll place a Bet Builder to make it that little more engaging. And I think that’s what sensible gambling can do – I see it more as a hobby than a way to make money. My misses looks at me funny, though, when I’m overtly celebrating 93rd minute fouls in a game!
Are there lessons from your favourite sport or athlete that influence how you approach work?
Absolutely. I’m a fan of team sports, specifically football, but also rugby union. There are many aspects of the characteristics within those two sports that apply to my role and the successes we experience at Podium. Teamwork is the key one that I would highlight.
I consider myself lucky to be part of a passionate team who love sport, and care deeply about our customers. Just like the best teams, we know that how we work together matters as much as what we deliver.
Connect with Colin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-armitage-988107a0/
