Hashtag United, who play in the Isthmian Premier Division but started out as a YouTube football team founded by Spencer Owen – also known as Spencer FC – have requested to be relegated.
The club, based in Essex, was created by Owen 10 years ago and would initially play matches solely on YouTube until they entered the football pyramid.
There, they have enjoyed vast success, and now compete in the seventh-tier of England football – but may not do for long.
In a bizarre move, Owen has revealed that he wants his team to be relegated, but ‘go down swinging and smiling’ – and not actually finish in the bottom four of the division.
That, Owen said, is because football has ‘a problem’ and that ‘money has become God’ in the modern game. He suggested the ‘finances are unsustainable at almost every level’ – echoing the views of a number of owners including League Two Gillingham’s Brad Galinson.
Owen released a lengthy statement, insisting that he has ‘never been more certain and more positive about the direction of this club than I am right now.’ย
Hashtag United have asked to be relegated from the seventh-tier of English football – even if they survive the drop
Founder and YouTuber Spencer Owen (left) – pictured posing with the FA Women’s National League Cup trophy – released a lengthy statement explaining the decision that had been made
The statement continued: ‘We want the best players we can and play at the highest level possible, but not at the cost of our staff’s jobs and not at the cost of us being able to continue our mission of innovating and changing the game.’
It added: ‘We have to remember what got us here. Without our origin story we wouldn’t exist, and if we drift too far from it, we won’t just lose games, we’ll lose ourselves.
‘The biggest risk to everything we’ve built is misallocating our resources and running out of time to use them properly. We won’t let that happen.
‘Moving to Step 4 will mean significant budgetary savings that will be reinvested into other key parts of the business at a crucial time, including employing more people while we significantly invest in building home attendances at our new ground.
‘This could be the best thing that ever happened to us, at a perfect time.’
Owen also said he has told the players so they can ‘make decisions about their own futures before the registration deadline,’ adding that no one will be released that wants to stay and the budget will not be cut.
Hashtag are currently 18th in the Isthmian League Premier, one point above Welling United and the relegation zone.
A relegation would see them move from Step 3 to Step 4 – but an idea of it happening unnaturally hasn’t convinced fans on social media.
The club was initially a YouTube team before entering the English football pyramid and enjoying vast success
One replied to the statement: ‘Calling it a “revolution” is insane. You’re literally quitting a league because it’s too hard/expensive. It spits in the face of every club fighting for survival at Step 3. You can’t just choose to be relegated.’
Another wrote: ‘You can’t pick and choose where you play. Sporting integrity is that relegation and promotion happens on the pitch not over email.’
Not everyone was critical, however. A third fan posted: ‘Interesting statement and big respect @SpencerOwen for doing the right thing for the club’s future. I have no doubt it’s the best thing long term.’
