Featured Fan of the Week: Samuel Barley from London, England,
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Our first featured fan of the week is the fan who suggested this segment to me. His name is Samuel Barley from London, England with the Twitter handle @SJBarley94.
Samuel was kind enough to write a review for the site that went above and beyond expectations. NYJOTP will have a segment later this month showing the fans who view the site reviews from many different Countries and Continents that the site reaches with Samuel being a part of that amazing group.
Mr. Barley told me that the site helped him with his football knowledge and went into detail about exactly how this site is one of his favorites. Here is his story.
As a regular user of www.NYJetsOverThePond.com I check in once every couple of days, I live in London, England so I don’t get to many games. My experience of games is a long night and a hard Monday morning even when we win. Of course I use the official Jets website, but recently that has changed – I can get the same information plus more from NYJOTP and it has to be said, this may just be the best website for any Jets fans out there either in the U.S or not.
Let us start with what we are greeted with when using NYJOTP, the home page or more specifically, the aesthetic parts. Decked in Jets green it is a welcome sight to any New York Jets fan, there is no mistaking who this website is for and that is to be praised.
Many forums or websites for fans feature a bland color palette that could lead someone to believe this is not designed for fans of a certain team. The scrolling pictures in the center of the site give are a nice touch showing both fans and players. Browsing the site is simple and easy, the links to all parts of the website exist at the top of the page, even if you visit not knowing what you’re looking for your bound to know with a simple read of these categories. Latest blog entries are at the side of the page which instantly keep you up to date, and make you want to visit every day. What’s new is right here In addition to having these entries from the committed editors full team details – stats, rosters, schedules etc – are present.
There are also a number of features that in my opinion make this the best example of a website for fans not just in New Jersey, or the USA in general. As a fan from London getting into football wasn’t easy, we don’t have it as a sport in our schools, there are a small number of youth teams out there but they are bitterly hard to find and often they require some sort of experience.
So when I watched my first Jets game, some 3 or 4 years ago now, I didn’t have a clue what was going on. Imagine what “1st and 10” sounds like out of context to the football field because that’s what it’s like for many people trying to get into the game. Step in “NFL Beginners Guide”, clear concise explanations of the game – this feature is quite simply amazing, it should be a requirement of any NFL related website, and the beauty of it is that it can be used by a fan of any team, it’s all about the game.
Secondly is something I believe many people won’t notice, placed just under the “interviews with section” is an option to have Google translate the page into any of its supported languages. Now admittedly Google’s translate feature is less than perfect but it does the job and allows fans “Over The Pond” who don’t speak English to access the website and read the articles. The website claims to cater for Jets fan fans all over the world and it delivers.
The Forum is well monitored and as far as I can tell the conversations between fans are great. It offers a way to connect with Jets fans worldwide and I’m sure more than a few friendships have blossomed from this feature.
A small note about the editors, they are superb and I was informed of the website by Rich Wilhelm who found me on a social networking site. What I’m trying to say is that they are actively seeking Jets fans out to bring them together, and with the whole league trying to laugh at us we need to be united. You can see they care not only about the site, in both its maintenance, appearance and content but also the fans, ask a question and you WILL get an answer.
You won’t be mocked for your opinions or lack of knowledge, your question will be answered in a helpful and friendly manner. If you want to just talk some Jets, they are more than happy to do that with you because they are fans as well.
The overwhelming message I’m trying to get across is that this is truly a FAN website the users are fans, the editors are fans...which creates an amazing experience because we all know where we are coming from, we all love the Jets and that drives the website. Overall it is a tremendous website, the articles are informative and helpful – particularly the ones highlighted that aid the overseas fan, the editors themselves care about the experience and are more than happy to help out. Quite simply if you’re a Jets fan you owe it to yourself to make regular trips to NYJOTP even if you’re lucky enough to live in Jersey.
In addition the site expands your knowledge of the game, I personally had an average knowledge - I knew a lot about offense and play calling etc, but on defense I essentially knew - CB, and the linebackers. The website has given me a better understanding of the defense. Now I understand the importance of blitzing and man coverage the articles don't assume you know everything, and neither do the editors, if you have a question ask it and it will be answered. It's more than a website really, it's a community and a tool. You can meet other Jets fans which expands your Jets community and use the website to understand the game and the Jets. It really is a much larger experience than the sum of its parts.
I speak for all of the NYJOTP team when I say words like these are why we do what we do. The feedback we get from our fans is incredible and we are humbled to be in such good company. Samuel is a great individual who we may have never come in contact without this site. I wish that this website not only brings you Jets knowledge but friendships as well. If you have a story like Samuel’s please feel free to reach out to myself at @koda522 or any of our other fine staff. Thank you again because without fans like you we would not be doing what we love!
You can follow myself Rich Wilhelm on twitter @koda522 and our fan of the week Samuel Barley @SJbarley94 and the website @nyjoverthepond and visit the site again at www.nyjetsoverthepond.com
