The mighty Arabzone is an essential part of any Arab's online life and United-Mad took the opportunity to shoot the breeze with two of the key players in the Dundee United Media team, Joe Rice and Mark McCreery to talk catch-phrases, Shed heroes and Richard Gordon-bothering flatulence. Any scurrilous rumours that either gent might post on United-Mad under nom-des-plumes will be met with a resounding…sssshhh.
What's the history behind ArabZONE?
Joe:The actual idea came from Dundee United Director of Communications Derek Robertson who had watched other SPL club start up similar sites however his knowledge of all things techy is on par with my knowledge of all things Dundee FC.
Mark: I had got in touch with Derek in 2006 January, after being tipped off by a guy called Roy Henderson that the club were requiring a cameraman and I still owe Roy a beer for that. I first filmed a youth cup tie at Tannadice against rangers and it was uploaded via my own web space and the reviews were favourable and things seemed a go-er. We then filmed a few small segments and put them out over the enews (season tickets) and again the response was favourable. The next thing was 'fresh brew' a DVD and this was when
Joe: I honestly cannot remember a great deal about it! There has been so much stuff done, so many memories created and so much nonsense went through my head since that time to be sure but my recollections are that I had known Derek Robertson for a number of years and had helped out setting up the official Dundee United site back in 2003/2004 and had worked as a match reporter for a few seasons as well as being editor at utdmad at the time and Derek had asked me if I would be interested in helping out with Arab ZONE. I was self employed at the time and decided I could offer a few hours a week voluntary. If I had known then what Derek's 'few hours' were then I would have refused lol! To have been involved on something like this from the start has been amazing, every week brings something new, something totally united and something brilliant.
What are your respective roles in the Zone and United Media?
Mark: DV Co-ordinator: main responsibility is filming the games match analysis style for the manager and capturing the Broadcast feed for the ZONE footage. It is then a case of editing the footage so it is available for the website, this tends to cover my weekends from Friday to Monday - these are when I do most of my working week. Editing and uploading a normal match highlights take 8 - 10 hours from scratch. Tagging match analysis and travelling over to
Joe: Mark does all the important stuff and I just fill in the blanks lol. My role is split several ways to be honest, I am co-commentator, interviewer, and on occasions cameraman. Any audio only projects are normally my responsibility to edit and upload and most Graphics projects are my area also. Add to that the admin side of dealing with the ArabZONE email inbox and you have pretty much my weekly work. Out with Arab ZONE, our role as Dundee United Media is covering more and more areas with Club Dinners now utilising our video/graphical abilities and during the centenary preparations we have again been largely involved in stuff.
Mark: We have to mention also the other members of Dundee United Media because without them, Arab ZONE and Dundee United Media simply doesn't function. From Derek Robertson at the top of the tree overseeing everything, via Riki Grauer, Scott Simpson, Kara Griffiths, Stuart Mitchell and all the match reporters, every one of us plays an important role in the product we provide.
'Gerinthere'...copyrighted yet?
Mark: Over to you Joe…
Joe: Everyone has a phrase or expletives or whatever that involuntarily comes out of their mouths when United score and 'get in there' is mine, I have to admit that the version I used to use when sitting in the stands was slightly more 'colourful' but the sentiments have remained the same. Scott Simpson is a tremendous commentator who we are so lucky to have and in my opinion he is as good as some of the 'professional' commentators out there. I get to go along and simply shout over Scott when something out of the ordinary happens. I will not change because I can't.
Mark: We see people on forums complaining about Joe's shouts when we score a goal but no one considers the poor guy that has to listen to it 5 or 6 times when editing it! It is also quite funny the behaviour that is behind the shouts and there has not been a gantry in
Joe: I'm amazed we have not been banned from Gantries the length and breadth of
Mark: Mate, I do believe I may be banned from Porkheed after the 2-2 draw for doing just that prior to you guys recording the Post-Match done below. I still see Derek Robertson's Shaky Head Smiley!!!
If ArabZONE was a united player (past or present) who would it be and why?
Mark:Dave Narey - Because it's just class.
Joe: Walter Rojas - Still too many people out there never actually seen it perform so join now lol! Nah seriously, Arab ZONE has been described as a 'god send', as given people 'so much joy' and it is the product of 'hard work and creativity'. For me, that describes Eamonn Bannon.
Mark: Eamonn, Oh Eamonn Bannon, Oh Eamonn Bannon on the wi-ing!! How long did that last at the Hall Of Fame Dinner, brilliant!!
Who are your united heroes over the years?
Mark: There's been a few but Iain Ferguson and Luggy have given my most of my favourite memories.
Joe: Honestly I do not know why Luggy even got a mention. The infatuation that Mark has with Iain Ferguson borders on obscene. He has a signed framed photo of him sitting on his desk and he has tried to justify reasons for interviewing him for any projects from the Flair Play DVD to Bo's Predictor Challenge!
My hero was always John Clark, as someone who was always 'big boned' myself, he was an inspiration to me and I just loved watching him play. The fantastic power he could generate in his shots was also something that amazed me and he is also responsible for the single greatest moment of watching United - his goal in the
Mark: Luggy was class, do you no mind oh they big 3" badges with just the players' coupon on them - could never get a Luggy, even though most of the mates got them. Buggers.
Fergie was THE best finisher I've ever saw play for United, rarely scored ordinary goals and scored in every semi-final he played in for us. The goal against Hearts from the halfway line was sheer brilliance - might need to ask The Gaffer what he was doing at that point, sure he was playing that day. Actually cancel that - Joe you can ask him on my behalf?
Can you give us an idea what a match-day routine consists of for you both?
Mark: For home games it is a case of getting to the ground for 12.00 to set up the camera, etc, etc. and then after this I go for a 'walk' around to the local; hostelries just to get into 'match mode'. It is then back to the gantry for
Joe: I just swan in around 2.30pm, pick up the mic and blether nonsense for an hour and a half then I am off to the pub and relax for the weekend lol. Only joking, similar to Mark I have to be there early enough to set up the audio equipment at the commentary position and I have an overall responsibility to make sure Mark and Scott's roles are not compromised by any external bodies - I guess I'm the bouncer! After the game, I take over as temporary cameraman for the post match interview and then it is up to the media room for refreshment or 2. Sometimes I am required to unhide updates on Saturday night but most weeks I am fortunate in that I can go home on match day safe in the knowledge I do not have work until Monday morning. I often text or email Mark just to remind him of this fact lol!
Mark:"Just the 4 goals for the goals clip, Mark!", "Just the 6 goals for the goals clip, Mark!!" often with a cheeky grin from both Scott & Joe, Coupla B@@@@@@@!!!! I must be the only guy at the game that wants us to win 1-0 every week!!!! Nil-Nil draws are like a day aff.
Joe: For away games, there is a whole different procedure which starts from 10am or so in the morning and usually finishes around 8pm with so many challenges throughout the day you would not believe and would take forever to go into here.
Mark:Apologies Mo but, Get Inverness doon - that's all I can say!!
Jim Delahunt...inspiration or just rhyming-slang?
Mark: Rhyming slang no question. I've dabbled on a couple of occasions on the commentary and believe me, it is pish - I talked nothing about the tactics or formations on the match - have a listen to the nonsense yourself it's the 3-1 game at Hearts when I correctly predicted a goal was forthcoming. Pretty sure my Mother had a minter for
Joe: Rhyming slang for sure. I am convinced that Scott Simpson studies the styles of professional media commentators; he must given some of the stats he comes out with! If you listen again to his intro to the Celtic game and his constant references to Mothers day puns…honest I ask you! I, on the other hand, just wing it. This question is actually making me a bit uncomfortable as it is highlighting how much of a chancer I am. There is almost no thought goes into what comes out my mouth when co-commentating lol!
Will Psycho wreak revenge on the Azoners if he keeps getting out-predicted?
Mark: If the revenge is anything similar to the books, coat hangers, footballs, chairs, any object in fact that get chucked about the back office each week when he discovers another defeat, then pity the Azoner he gets his hands on!
Joe: I am, more than not, the one on the receiving end of the items Bo launches. Each week he is defeated is another bruise on my arm but it is worth it to be able to stick it to him!
What's in the pipeline for ArabZONE?
Mark:I would like to see us get the live commentary available for next year and also a few more fun features which are always enjoyable to be part of. I keep asking if we can do the Penalty challenge again with a couple of subscribers invited along also but, I think Joe is shitting it about losing his 100% record he occasionally reminds me of.
Joe: We come up with new ideas all the time, most of those come via emails sent in the early hours of the morning from Mark or myself lol. We have to continually ensure that the core products are delivered before we can move on to new stuff but rest assured we are always looking to improve Arab ZONE and each year, we bring out something new that is a hit. I agree with Mark that next season should see us try to implement online commentary. We also have a webcam idea that we are looking at just now…more on that later!
Mark:I have to reassure readers that the webcam idea has nothing to do with Joe sitting in front of his Laptop in only a Smoking Jacket and Hot Pants. FAF!!!
Any amusing tales of things not going to plan technically?
Mark:You only have to get a look at Derek Robertson's email inbox on a Sunday evening/Monday morning to discover there are issues all the time - none of which are even printable on this Arab forum!
Joe: There are not too many things that you cannot work around but one of them is not having a microphone fitted to a camera. We got a squad of players together last autumn and off we went up to Forbes of Kingennie Putting Course for a Ryder Cup style event. We advertised it in the enews and the filming of it went really well…until Stuart Mitchell (UtdArab) discovered he didn't have the microphone attached, some 50 minutes into filming!
There have been many times that FTP access has let us down and this recently saw Mark taking a hard drive full of his edited files along to a friend's house for a get together and asking to use his computer to upload the highlights.
Mark:SSSSHHHHHHHH!
Seeing as how you've got all that top-notch video equipment...what's the chances of a United-Lass 'art house' DVD?
Mark: If any of your candidates are ginger then no chance, which reminds me….where did I put my season ticket book?
Joe: As an official club product, Arab ZONE could never okay such a lewd and ludicrous suggestion. As an avid reader of utdmad… Buddah get it done, get it done now!
Who would you most like to get an interview with but haven't managed as yet?
Mark: "THE Greatest ever footballer to wear the Tangerine jersey, Dave Narey. Not without trying like fook to get him, apparently too shy!!! Pete Rundo is seek o' the constant requests. Thinking about writing to Wee Jum'll Fix It." Iain Ferguson would be ideal but also to try and get my hands on one of the rare white vg tops! Have asked Bo loadsa times but he ain't taking the hint.
Joe: We have interviewed so many of our heroes it has been simply unbelievable. It would be a great thing for me to interview Hamish McAlpine. Another obvious choice is Dave Narey but he has always politely refused any requests. The big one would probably be Jim Mclean but I cannot ever see him agreeing to this sadly.