Hashtag United F.C.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
 | ||
| Full name | Hashtag United Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 | |
| Ground | Hashtag Arena | |
| Capacity | 5,000 | |
| Chairman | Unknown by viewers | |
| Manager | Spencer Owen (Player Manager) | |
|
| ||
Hashtag United F.C. is an English YouTube-based football club that was founded in 2016. They gained notability due to recording their matches, making videos around them and posting them to their player/manager, Spencer Owen's YouTube channel, known as Spencer FC, which has just under 2 million subscribers. They have played many teams including several Premier League staff teams such as Manchester City and West Ham United as well as the staff teams of Major League Soccer clubs, Atlanta United and New York City F.C.. They have also played and beaten the youth teams of some semi-professional teams, such as Biggleswade United F.C. and Newhaven F.C. As of January 2017, their Twitter and Instagram accounts have over 100,000 followers each. They also own a YouTube channel where they upload 5-a-side matches that the club participates in and vlogs.[1]
Stadium
Hashtag United normally play their games behind closed doors, although they sometimes do allow away supporters. Player/Manager Spencer Owen revealed in an interview with The Daily Telegraph that they have to keep match timings secret because "otherwise there’s a chance a lot of supporters might turn up to watch and the truth is we’re not prepared security wise for that yet."[2] The club rent out the White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre (also known as the Hashtag Arena) which has a large grandstand which they use to help get better camera shots for their YouTube videos.
Kits and sponsors
Hashtag United were formerly sponsored by EE Limited, a British mobile network operator. They are now sponsored by Top Eleven Football Manager, a mobile football game available on iOS and Android. English sportswear supplier Umbro are the official kit provider to Hashtag United. Umbro have personally made Hashtag United their own home, away and third kit which are sold on the Umbro and Hashtag United website.[3]
eSports Players/Series
Hashtag United have 4 eSports FIFA players. In 2016, Spencer Owen formed a series called the Spencer FC Game Academy. Over 10,000 Fifa players took part in the qualification part of the series online. The top 10 qualifiers were then invited to be part of the main series. In the grand finale, Harry Hesketh won and claimed an eSports contract with Hashtag United. Harry now posts videos on a channel called "Hashtag Harry" which gained over 100,000 subscribers within his first 3 uploaded videos. His fellow finalist, Kez Brown also makes videos and has since signed for Man City as a pro FIFA player. Months later, Hashtag United announced on Twitter that more players would be signed to the eSports team. This included pro FIFA players such as Tass (Tassal Rushan) and BorasLegend (Ivan Lapanje). They soon announced their signing of Youtuber Dirty Mike from the USA.[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Current squad
- As of 23 July 2017[5]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Hashtag Academy Squad
On June 4, 2017, Spencer Owen posted a video on his channel to announce the new signings of Hashtag United and a special announcement to a 7 a-side tournament starting on the Next Level Football League channel on YouTube.
- As of 16 July 2017[6]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Notable Guest/Former Players
This category generally includes:
1. Players that have played/managed in the Football League or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record or have captained the club.
2016
Match Reports
| 27 March 2016 Division 5 | Hashtag United F.C. | 3—2 | Dream Team | London, England |
Faisal Manji  ?' Ryan Adams ?' Rich Beck ?' |
Rory Harper ?' Cherno Samba ?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 27 March 2016 Friendly | Hashtag United F.C. | 6—0 | Dream Team | London, England |
| Ryan Adams ?, ?' Dan Brown ?' Spencer Owen ?' (pen) Phil Martin ?' TJ Jepson ?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 17 April 2016 Division 5 | Hashtag United F.C. | 2—1 | Copa 90 | London, England |
| Dan Brown ?' Ryan Adams ?' |
?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 17 April 2016 Friendly | Hashtag United F.C. | 2—3 | Copa 90 | London, England |
| TJ Jepson ?' Seb ?' |
Timsey ?' (pen), ?' Alderston ?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 15 May 2016 Division 5 | Vauxhall | 2—8 | Hashtag United F.C. | London, England |
| 43' 85' |
Dan Brown 21', 29' Rich Beck 25' (pen), pen' Ryan Adams 73' Phil Martin 41' 70' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Wembley Stadium |
| 26 May 2016 Division 5 | Hashtag United F.C. | 7—1 | Football Manager | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 4', 19' John Dawson 13' Dan Brown 21', 43' Phil Martin 22', 29' |
31' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 8 June 2016 Division 4 | Manchester City Staff | 3—3 | Hashtag United F.C. | Manchester, England |
| 11' Paul Dickov 42' 69' |
Ryan Adams 8' Seb 27' Sam Adams 85' |
Stadium: Etihad Campus |
| 23 June 2016 Division 4 | Umbro | 2—3 | Hashtag United F.C. | London, England |
| 20' 80' |
Dan Brown 6', 67' Ryan Adams 84' |
Stadium: Boleyn Ground |
| 10 July 2016 Division 4 | Hashtag United F.C. | 19—1 | Comedians XI | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 2', 35', 41', 57', 59' Dan Brown 5', 43', 70', 79', 90' Seb 15' Charlie Armstrong 44' 53' (o.g.) Faisal Manji 60' James Stevens 61' TJ 69' Phil Martin 83' Wes Tanser 88' Spencer Owen 90' |
Lee Hendrie 22' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 24 July 2016 Division 4 | Hashtag United F.C. | 5—2 | Google | London, England |
| Phil Martin 30' Ryan Adams 31' Seb 35' (pen) James Lovatt 87' |
19' 89' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 7 August 2016 Division 4 (60 Mins) | Hashtag United F.C. | 3—1 | Ball Street | London, England |
| Dan Brown 11', 39' Phil Martin 30' |
18' (pen) |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 7 August 2016 Friendly (60 Mins) | Hashtag United F.C. | 6—3 | Ball Street | London, England |
| Phil Martin ?, ?, ?' Ryan Adams ?' Faisal Manji ?' Dan Brown ?' |
Elliot ?, ?, ?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 23 August 2016 Division 4 (60 Mins) | Hashtag United F.C. | 0—2 | West Ham United Staff | London, England |
| 23' 55' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 23 August 2016 Friendly (60 Mins) | Hashtag United F.C. | 2—1 | West Ham United Staff | London, England |
| Faisal Manji ?' (pen) Rick Beck ?' |
?' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 4 September 2016 Division 4 | Hashtag United F.C. | 7—2 | 1080 Football | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 9', 57' Faisal Manji 18' Dan Brown 38', 71' Seb 51', 89' |
45' 73' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 18 September 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 1—0 | Fox & Hounds FC | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 56' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 2 October 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 1—0 | Sky Sports News HQ | London, England |
| Dan Brown 21' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 16 October 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 1—3 | Mongolian Horses FC | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 9' |
75' Matt Stevens 80' 87' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 30 October 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 8—1 | AC Belmont | London, England |
| Rich Beck 19', 78' (pen) Dan Brown 31', 59' 49' (o.g.) Ryan Adams 53', 88' John Dawson 90' |
Connor 5'  77' 62'  78' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 13 November 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 5—3 | NWA FC | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 45' John Dawson 51' Sam Adams 55' Dan Brown 64' Rich Beck 82' |
10', 37' 86' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 27 November 2016 Division 3 | Newhaven F.C. | 1—2 | Hashtag United F.C. | Newhaven, England |
| 90' |
Dan Brown 12', 88' |
Stadium: Trafalgar Ground Attendance: 50+ |
| 11 December 2016 Division 3 | Hashtag United F.C. | 3—3 | Freestylers FC | London, England |
| Ryan Adams 22', 43' Dan Brown 82' |
Harlow 18' Kim 64' 80' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 25 December 2016 Division 3 | Biggleswade United F.C. | 3—6 | Hashtag United | Biggleswade, England |
| 10' 63' 66' |
Dan Brown 29', 44', 88', 90' Spencer Owen 52' Ryan Adams 76' |
Stadium: Second Meadow Attendance: 100+ |
 | This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (January 2017) |
Hashtag United was officially launched on Spencer Owen's YouTube channel, Spencer FC, through a video entitled "Introducing Hashtag United" which was released on 19 March 2016. In the video, he revealed the official kit of the club, as well as the first ever squad .[citation needed]
Hashtag United have played a total of 20 division games. They released the video of their first official match on 27 March 2016, against a team organized by The Sun, called Dream Team F.C. named after a their popular fantasy football game. Their team included former Gambia and Millwall striker Cherno Samba, who scored one goal. The match finished 3-2, with goals coming from Faisal Manji, Ryan Adams and Rich Beck.[citation needed]
The team recorded their second ever win in a 2-1 victory over football blogging site Copa90, with goals coming from Dan Brown and Ryan Adams.[citation needed]
United would play their 3rd match at Wembley Stadium facing Vauxhall where they would win 8-2. Dan Brown was named man of the match due to his efforts.
In their next match, United took on Football Manager. If Hashtag won the game, the team would be in the upcoming football manager game. Hashtag won the game 7-1 and earned their reward. This also secured promotion to division 4 for Hashtag United.[citation needed]
For their first game in division 4, United took on a Manchester City staff team. The captain of the team was former Scotland and professional striker, Paul Dickov. The game ended 3-3, Hashtag United's first ever draw. [citation needed]
For their second game in division 4. Hashtag United played one of the last games at Upton Park coming against West Ham United's kit manufacturers, Umbro. 2-match-loan signing Manny would make his debut as an injury replacement. Hashtag United won 3-2.[citation needed]
For the next couple of weeks, Hashtag United continued its form with a stunning 19-1 win against Comedians X11. This team included their comedian captain Lloyd Griffith and former English midfielder, Lee Hendrie. Hendrie scored the only goal for the comedians in the game. In Hashtag United's next game, the team faced a sponsored team named Google FC. Hashtag would win the game 5-2 with Ryan Adams being Man of the Match.[citation needed]
In Hashtag United's next game, they faced Ball Street FC. New goalkeeper Jamie Jackson made his debut conceding a penalty. Hashtag United won 3-1. Hashtag United would then face a West Ham United staff team. Youtuber loan signing Manny would end his contract with a disappointing 2-0 loss. This was Hashtag United's first ever loss.[citation needed]
In their final game in Division 4. Hashtag United had a chance to finish in a promotion spot and up in to Division 3. United faced 1080 Football FC. One of their players was English striker Dean Morgan. Hashtag United won the game 7-2.[citation needed]
In Division 3, United would start facing Sunday League teams. For their first Sunday League game. Hashtag United came up against Fox & Hounds FC. In an incredible match, Ryan Adams grabbed the winning goal to make the final score 1-0. This was Hashtag United's first ever clean sheet.
In their second game in Division 3, Hashtag United came up against Sky Sports News HQ with English manager Aidan Magee. United earned another 1-0 victory in a tight match, in which goalkeeper Andy Jeffs-Watts was Man of the Match.[citation needed]
In Hashtag United's next game, a brother vs brother scenario would occur with Hashtag United player James Stevens playing his brother Matt Stevens of Mongolian Horses. United lost the game 3-1. Hashtag United's second ever loss.[citation needed]
In the next game Hashtag United came up against AC Belmont, United would face player/manager Connor Dawson. When an AC Belmont player received a red card, it became the first red card to be issued in a Hashtag match. United won the game 7-1.[citation needed]
For the teams next game, they played NWA FC. John Dawson scored what would later be voted 'goal of the year', with Hashtag United coming away with a 5-3 win. Ryan Adams won man of the match resulting in him winning an Xbox One.[citation needed]
Next, Hashtag United would come against Newhaven FC's U23 team. This was Hashtag United's first game under a crowd watching and cheering. Newhaven featured two popular Youtubers, Joe Weller and Theo Baker whilst Hashtag United had signed a loan replacement in ex-USA international Jimmy Conrad. Hashtag United edged out the tricky affair, winning the game 2-1.[citation needed]
In the next game United faced a team full of football freestylers called Freestylers FC, a team organised and led by world-renowned freestyler Daniel Cutting. In a well fought match, the teams battled to a 3-3 draw.[citation needed]
The next game was a Top Eleven derby against Biggleswade United. Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué featured for Biggleswade, missing a penalty. Hashtag United would go on to win the game 6-3 with Dan Brown earning the Man of the Match. This match ended the year for Hashtag United and also secured promotion to Division 2.[citation needed]
On 28 December 2016, Spencer Owen posted the Hashtag United awards night. Hashtag United revealed a new signing, Theo Baker.
2017
Exhibition
Match reports
| 8 January 2017 Division 2 | Hashtag United F.C. | 2—1 | Palmers F.C. | London, England |
| John Dawson 35' Dan Brown 60' Jack Harrison 78' |
34' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre Attendance: 500 |
| 22 January 2017 Division 2 | J.D. Club NI  | 0—2 | Hashtag United F.C. | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Dan Brown 29', 82' |
Stadium: Seaview |
| 12 February 2017 Division 2 | Hashtag United F.C. | 5—2 | Soccer AM | London, England |
| Seb 24' Dan Brown 31' Rick Beck 82' (pen) Phil Martin 90' 90' |
34' 45' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 5 March 2017 Division 2 | Hashtag United F.C. | 7—1 | Eltham SF | London, England |
| Theo Baker 25', 54' Jack Harrison 31', 65' Ryan Adams 32' Dan Brown 35', 51' |
80' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 15 March 2017 Division 2 | Coca-Cola United  | 3—6 | Hashtag United F.C. | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 11' Spencer Owen 15' (o.g.) 77' |
Spencer Owen 13', 58' Ryan Adams 23' Dan Brown 54', 66' Charlie Morley 85' |
Stadium: Atlanta Silverbacks Park |
| 17 March 2017 Division 2 | Atlanta United F.C. Staff | 5—1 | Hashtag United F.C. | Marietta, Georgia, USA |
| 43' 60' 76' 87', 89' |
Charlie Morley 10' |
Stadium: Atlanta United Training Center |
| 21 March 2017 Division 2 | New York City F.C. Staff | 0—4 | Hashtag United F.C. | New York, USA |
| Charlie Morley 4', 42' Theo Baker 19' Faisal Manji 54' |
Stadium: Bridge Pitch |
| 25 March 2017 Division 2 | Warmballers FC | 6—3 | Hashtag United F.C. | New York, USA |
| Matt Negro 44', 67', 79' 50' Alecko Eskandarian 75' Jimmy Conrad 88' (pen) |
Theo Baker 51' Charlie Morley 52' Jimmy Conrad 89' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Hudson River Pitch |
| 28 May 2017 Division 2 | Star Sixes | 1—0 | Hashtag United F.C. | Bishop's Stortford, England |
| 87' |
Stadium: ProKit UK Stadium |
| 11 June 2017 Division 2 | Top Eleven | 0—6 | Hashtag United F.C. | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Theo Baker 6', 74' Dan Brown 22' Phil Martin 45', 77' Wes Tanser 67' |
Stadium: Vozdavic Stadium Belgrade Attendance: 30+ |
| 18 June 2017 Division 1 | Crystal Palace F.C. Staff | 2—5 | Hashtag United F.C. | South Norwood |
| 24', 59' (pen) |
Ryan Adams 4' Theo Baker 6' Dan Brown 26', 71' Charlie Morley 62' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park |
| 25 June 2017 Division 1 | Football Fancast | 2—0 | Hashtag United F.C. | Holloway, London |
| 61' 87' |
Stadium: Emirates Stadium |
| 9 July 2017 Division 1 | Arsenal For Everyone XI | 0—8 | Hashtag United F.C. | Holloway, London |
| Charlie Morley 5' Rich Beck 12' Jack Harrison 18' Dan Brown 24' Theo Baker 34', 80' Seb 62', 64' |
Stadium: Emirates Stadium |
| 23 July 2017 Division 1 | Hashtag United F.C. | 4—3 |  GB Deaf Team | London, England |
| 18' (o.g.) Theo Baker 39' Scott Pollock 57' Phil Martin 90' |
Oliver Manoocheri 2' 5' 25' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre Attendance: 76 |
| 6 August 2017 Division 1 | Aston Villa F.C. Staff | 2—6 | Hashtag United F.C. | Warwickshire, England |
| 7' 63' |
Dan Brown 13', 25', 77' Scott Pollock 81' Tekkers Guru 85' Wes Tanser 90' |
Stadium: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground |
| 20 August 2017 Division 1 | St. John F.C.  | 1—3 | Hashtag United F.C. | St. Helier, Jersey |
| Barry 72' |
9' (o.g.) Ryan Adams 37' Seb 47' |
Stadium: St John's Recreation Centre Attendance: 276 |
| 3 September 2017 Division 1 | Hashtag United F.C. | 2—3 | AFTV F.C. | London, England |
| Charlie Morley 1' Seb 4' Jack Harrison 41' |
30' Jack Harrison 45' (o.g.) 78' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre |
| 15 September 2017 Division 1 | Stoke City F.C. Staff | — | Hashtag United F.C. | Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent |
| Stadium: Clayton Wood Training Ground |
| 7 October 2017 Wembley Cup 2017 | Hashtag United F.C. | — | F2 Tekkers Town | London, England |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Wembley Stadium |
For their first game in 2017, Hashtag United played Palmers FC. It was a feisty affair with poor challenges flying in everywhere, and Hashtag were underdogs, but Hashtag United edged it and Palmers players claimed the referee was not very good which is proved to be true since then due to footage of the linesmen getting many decisions incorrect on the night. New signing and popular YouTube personality Theo Baker made his debut for Hashtag United in the match which resulted in a 2-1 win to Hashtag United. Aftermath to the game saw both teams have opposing views on the affair and it led to a war of words.
The next game was against JD CLUB NI a successful Northern Irish Academy. They won 2-0 in what was their first match abroad and Theo Baker's first start for the club. Notably keeper Jamie Jackson saved a penalty earning himself man of the match. Dan Brown added another brace to take his Hashtag United goal tally to 30.
In their next game they played against Soccer AM. It was a tight match ending 5-2 to hashtag who remain unbeaten in division 2. YouTube personality Theo Baker had several chances to score his first hashtag goal but didn't. This is significant as he said if he didn't score in his first 3 games then he would dye his hair blue. On 16 March 2017 Hashtag announced the signing of YouTuber Charlie Morley. In March 2017 Hashtag United went on tour to America where they are playing two matches in Atlanta and then two matches in New York. The club also launched their new kit.
In their first game in Atlanta they beat Coke United sponsored by Coca-Cola 6-3. Spencer scored three goals with one being in his own net. Later on in the game Lewis Preston came on and a dirty foul ruled him out with a sprained ankle. Charlie Morley made is debut coming on as a sub and scored the final goal of the game.
Next game Hashtag played the Atlanta staff team having never beaten a staff team before drawing and losing against Manchester City and West Ham respectively. They lost 5-1 to a team that featured some academy players having gone a goal up from a dubious far post finish from the main Man Charlie Morley.
Ryan Adams went off coming to the end of the game with a hamstring strain meaning he was doubtful for next game and but he did play late in the game both him and Dan Brown who is going back to the UK to celebrate the birth of his baby. John Dawson is likely to come in to replace him in New York.
In the next game at New York, Faisal Manji scored his first header for Hashtag as they won against the staff of NYCFC.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "Hashtag United & the YouTube generation: Football's future?". 6 September 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Inside the crazy world of Hashtag United - Britain's rising cult club". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "Hashtag United on Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ http://www.esportsinsider.com/2016/11/hashtag-united-sign-two-new-fifa-pros/
- ^ http://www.hashtagunited.co.uk/#/players
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TYTFuSUxrY