The Controversial Rise of Hashtag United

[@HashtagUnited]

Thanks so much for this! It’s really interesting to see an independent perspective on what we’ve tried to do. As you mentioned, we’re just trying to do things our way (in terms of cameras etc) but also the right way in terms of how we behave, certainly with other clubs. We have a huge respect for clubs who’ve been around all these years, and we are just doing things a little bit differently and building the fanbase the opposite way (digital first, then local). Now we just need our own home!

[@Vizeh]

Thank you for your kind words, as members of the KZbin Community we thank you for representing us in the way you have! Will hope to visit a game soon as I live in Poland currently, up the tags#️⃣

[@HashtagUnited]

@@Vizeh you’re welcome any time! Obviously anyone is, but yeah come film one day when you can 👊

[@Nefariousbig]

The FA told you to change your name because it's fucking horrid lol. Them saying it's cause it's not a place name was just trying to be polite. It was a completely open and blatant attempt to cash in on the usage of the term at the time. You can say it was just a silly name you kept on, but that's bollocks. It reeks of wanky trend chasing commerical nothingness. That's why people don't like it. At least 'Fire FC' doesn't immediately make you feel like you're part of some advertising campaign. Port Vale doesn't need to exist. It sounds like a place. It fits. If they were called TikTok Vale it'd be a different story.

[@helvete983]

Don't see a problem in creating a club for the modern era. Football is a dog eat dog world, and you have to use all the tools at your disposal. Is it fair that Newcastle, Man City, PSG have the backing of an entire oil rich nation? So yeah to use the financial advantage argument is nonsensical compared to the blatant financial imbalance in the Prem for example. Also kudos on the Port Vale retort, you could have used Arsenal too. Can't seem to find that on a map. All the best for the future lads.

[@Vizeh]

@@Nefariousbig you’re a very angry man, I’ll recommend a massage or some sort of yoga has a way to calm you down Hope you have a great day

[@AlexAppleby]

I'll be honest, the concept of Hashtag United seems completely ridiculous. A club owned and ran by KZbinrs. It shouldn't work. Yet it does, and for that Hashtag United and Spencer Owen deserve massive respect. The way they've used their social media presence to their advantage is complete genius. We've never seen it at this scale before. Perhaps we'll never see it again.

[@Vizeh]

It’s a great example of the power of online media! More clubs will follow suit with time!

[@HashtagUnited]

Appreciate this 👊

[@thomas-simpson]

@@HashtagUnited no way it's hashtag united

[@thelegendaryarrox5559]

fc passehlona

[@Alex_Faux]

If you think about it, this is how a lot of the super old soccer teams in Europe started, with a group of friends that just wanted their own team. It's definitely wild in modern times but I like how it gets back to how it used to be.

[@SebOnGolf]

Thank you for the kind words mate. Great video. Much love. Hope to see you down at a game soon. Seb CB (not Owen 😂👍🏻)

[@Vizeh]

I’m very sorry for the mix up! Thank you very much!❤️

[@ninjabiscuit1095]

I think it's great that a non-league club has the eyes of millions of people around the world on it, I hope it inspires people to get involved in grassroots football, wherever they are, as that's the heart of football and how the game thrives in the long run

[@goatsntoast]

I agree wholeheartedly. Not as many clubs where I’m at in the US as there are in the UK but I still try to go to USL League One and Two games or even NCAA games

[@Britishgeohistorian]

@@goatsntoast how do the lower leagues work in the us?

[@goatsntoast]

@@Britishgeohistorian There’s no pro/rel but there is lower leagues than MLS like the USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t pro/rel because lower league sides regularly beat MLS teams in the US Open Cup (our version of the EFL or FA Cup), and also unfortunate because even though teams like Louisville City dominate the Championship or other leagues every year they can’t be promoted at all. Although, the biggest difference between the US and abroad is the addition of the NCAA collegiate league, with players representing colleges and universities. The biggest and highest profile schools in the NCAA are in the NCAA’s highest division, Division 1, often called D1. The players at D1 schools are good enough to warrant full-ride scholarships, and D2 and D3 players often receive school discounts as well. Notable NCAA players currently in world football are Jack Harrison at Leeds, Tim Ream at Fulham, and Tajon Buchanan at Club Brugge. NCAA players, if they are good enough, so mostly D1 players, can play for USL sides during the NCAA off-season. The best NCAA players have the opportunity to be drafted by MLS sides during the annual MLS Super Draft, with the worst MLS sides having highest priority and, vice versa, the best sides having the least priority. There are also a few low-profile leagues outside of the MLS/USL system like NISA or NPSL, which is different from the UK where all clubs are in either the EFL or SPFL system. Hope that helps!

[@Britishgeohistorian]

@@goatsntoast thanks, I just couldn't understand what would happen with no promotion

[@HashtagUnited]

That’s what it’s about. We even have a walking football and inclusive teams now. Just trying to inspire 👊

[@HarrisonCoe]

never did i think a youtube team could ever truly rub shoulders like Hashtag are

[@joebailey2940]

Love the profile pic UTV💜💙

[@johankoften3681]

Sotv

[@cherrycolareal]

circular Aston Villa logo is really good

[@stevedimmock930]

I think the reason why the Hashtag concept is 'controversial' is partly because a lot of non-league clubs are run by committees that mainly consist of old men who are pretty much stuck in their ways and don't have any fresh ideas as to how they can grow the club. Another non-league club which has really thrived as a result of a big social media presence is Walton & Hersham, who have been around since 1945 but were taken over in 2019 by a group of university students. At the time of the takeover, the club were really strugging in the 10th tier but the new owners have given it a new lease of life and have really effectively promoted the club on platforms like TikTok as they've used social media as one of their key strategies. The club won a second successive promotion last season and are now back in the 8th tier for the first time since 2016.

[@Vizeh]

That’s a great story!

[@stevedimmock930]

@@Vizeh Definitely mate, maybe you could do a video on them sometime in the future if you fancy it

[@BenHutchinson92]

It's not just non-league football clubs that are run that way mate, it's pretty much the whole country

[@stevedimmock930]

@@BenHutchinson92 I mean when you have really corrupt individuals like Peter Swann in charge at clubs it just shows why the independent regulator is needed in the first place

[@LaVaZ000]

You've completely missed it, it's just because people (especially football fans) prefer traditional and historical teams over other ones.

[@carlmcgrath484]

In my opinion lower league teams not having an online presence of their own or big budgets is jealousy. There’s nothing stopping them, Mr Spencer Owen built that club from the ground up and fairplay to him

[@samuelpinder1215]

The size of the town and popularity of the EFL prem and even the national league are all factors

[@helvete983]

All they'd have to do is sign a team of youtubers

[@carlmcgrath484]

Yeah but just for example if they had player interviews, games recorded, consistent content with high quality editing they could build their own fanbase of people from all over the country the same way hashtag has

[@jays3583]

Fella started a team from scratch and is doing it all right, people aren’t happy they can suck it up and shut up

[@Vizeh]

I agree

[@jonesy1589]

Although they didn’t start at the bottom in the local leagues

[@magikarpsplashy]

@@jonesy1589 neither did the new Wimbledon or fc United of Manchester.

[@jonesy1589]

@@magikarpsplashy And I’m sure many teams didn’t like that back than

[@magikarpsplashy]

@@jonesy1589 so they could instead win 15-0 every game? There's a reason they're put into higher leagues 😂

[@DanHH2310]

Hands down the most respectable thing in my opinion about what Hashtag United are doing is creating a safe haven for younger football fans, INCLUDING those who may not necessarily enjoy the LADS LADS LADS football culture, or those who may suffer with bullying at school, social anxiety etc etc. If you go to a game, you will see all types of people mixing, enjoying a friendly atmosphere, no discrimination or bullying at all. Especially enjoy how the players interact with the fans, like PK Humble and Toby Aromolaran for example who both have a massive following, celebrating goals and wins WITH the fans. Spencer and co have created in my honest opinion, one of the most inclusive and friendly atmospheres in UK football and they should truly be commended for that.

[@Vizeh]

Absolutely spot on!

[@cardboardbox4093]

hashtag united when asterisk albion is formed: 😱😱😱

[@Vizeh]

The Hashtag vs Forward Slash derby will be unprecedented🔥🔥

[@IntoTheSkyy]

I will first say that, as an American, I might be missing something culturally around the lower leagues. But, as far as I can tell, hastag united is doing exactly what you're supposed to do as a new football club. They started on the bottom league, the owners used their business acumen to secure sponsors, they scouted a staff who they pay a good wage, and in turn they were able to recruit players who want to play at the club. They idea that they somehow have an unfair advantage is laughable to me when a) they've done something that literally anyone else can do, although obviously at varying levels of success based on social media clout, and b) what they're doing is literally no different than what teams like man city, spurs, or chelsea have done in terms of getting backing from a literal nation, mega investment groups, or the super rich, respectively, and using that to dominate the premier league. I'd argue that hastag is far more ethical than any of those premier league clubs since they are building for sustainability and also building out women and youth programs.

[@H93-e4z]

They already got Greg Halford who played pro football. He Played for Portsmouth, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. Some big teams.

[@uk145]

Colchester United legend.

[@chrissao_502]

I think Hashtag and the now Hollywood owned Wrexham are two sides of quite literally the same coin. Using the new digital age to help spread awareness of lower league football and help promote their respective teams. One is doing it far more Hollywood and one is doing it via KZbin but they are, in a weird way and imo, doing the exact same thing, and I love it. I can only hope that stuff like this catches on in the US and we can get more support for USL teams, Division 4 teams, RPL teams, and local league teams.

[@WrightyFPL]

The use of media is certainly congruent but don't forget Wrexham are over 150 years old! One is resurrecting a fallen dragon, one is a complete build from scratch

[@helvete983]

Honestly don't see how it's any different than bigger clubs getting global coverage on Netflix and other streaming platforms. Sunderland, Spurs, Leeds etc have all had massively successful documentaries on streaming services. So the argument over online exposure is just nonsense.

[@W0mbRaider]

The biggest and best thing that could ever happen for lower league US teams is to implement promotion and relegation

[@matthewtomoswills]

Nonsense this

[@tomzablee]

Ridiculous comment tbh, Wrexham and Hashtag United aren't even vaguely comparable

[@Realcoolio]

*Edit*: Wow y'all tysm. I did not expect Vizeh or Hashtag to actually comment on this. Keep doing what y'all are doing. Y'all are inspiring and I love it. Making huge moves. Fyi im a supporter from the states. I think the negative perception comes from the fact that the FA did not like their name and other teams in non-league were accusing them of straight up cheating. Spencer and Seb STUDIED the game of football not only how to BUILD and properly INVEST into a club AND HIRE THE RIGHT PEOPLE. that is unheard of. People should not be judging them rather praising them. People become envious because they see the sponsorships, the big brands, the money, the youtube channel. MEANWHILE they can also start their own youtube channel and film their games and upload highlights of them. Spencer and Seb understand the social media GAME, the marketing, and business. A lot of these clubs do not understand these factors and I'm not going to sit here and pretend I know why because I don't. It's difficult to execute at the highest level. Spencer even spoke about on other podcasts about not wanting to climb the table so quickly because of the travel, certain standards needing to be met, adjusting to the new league, and travel costs.

[@Vizeh]

Spot on!

[@HashtagUnited]

What we’ve done is open to anyone. It just takes graft and determination 👊

[@EspieJaz]

As a non league photographer at Sholing FC, I think Hashtag United is a great addition to the football league pyramid and attracts more fans to their local clubs.

[@F1BrokeBoys]

Also with your point about pro players dropping down here is a list of players who have played in the EFL and who now play for clubs in the same league as Hashtag. Ed upson - Stowmarket (literally played league 2 last season) Reggie lamb - Stowmarket Jack ainsley - Stowmarket Carlos Edwards - Bury Town Derek asamoah - New salamis Probably others I've missed aswell. Maldon & Tiptree are literally being managed by Peter Taylor who was once England's head coach 😂

[@johnmitchell2269]

Carlos Edwards who used to play for Luton and Sunderland? He must be old now.

[@F1BrokeBoys]

@@johnmitchell2269 he's 44 😂

[@fifagoalsmaster]

Reggie lambe was class for cambridge, and played international football too!

[@Nerdyfootballfan26]

Jamie Ohara played for Bilarichy Town as well

[@bkak2245]

Greg Halford who used to be in the PL is now at hashtag

[@wlrwilly]

Happy for their big rise. Proud of them, watched them since the beginning and seeing them rise is absolutely amazing

[@tfelst1147]

As someone who doesn't care about fifa anymore, these documentary videos are great man, keep it up 👍

[@Vizeh]

I’m very grateful these are working, I cannot handle playing FIFA anymore😂

[@tfelst1147]

@Vizeh yh man me neither, back in fifa 15-19 I used to love it, now the game just makes me sad. So many sweaty teams, it's just not fun anymore unfortunately

[@zombievikinggaming4258]

@@Vizeh You'll help yourself and others. FIFA has been dead for years and we've been feasting on a carcass telling ourselves it's enjoyable

[@wille3573]

@@tfelst1147bro I swear, I loved just playing seasons cause couldn’t be assed with FUT by 19, but now everyone just plays as PSG. It’s so boring

[@JM-rm3lt]

Fair play Vizeh this new style is working for me mate.

[@Vizeh]

I think the new style is great!

[@F1BrokeBoys]

As someone who supports a team in the league hashtag are currently in although its not a "traditional" club the publicity and a small insight into how non league football works is great. A shame the fan base let's them down with how arrogant/ clueless they are. However the football club itself is great

[@Vizeh]

I wish your club the best my friend!

[@lewisdegnan5926]

Who is your club?

[@F1BrokeBoys]

@@Vizeh cheers man!! However having clips of that Fa cup penalty shootout loss being played over and over again did bring back unwanted memories 😂😭

[@F1BrokeBoys]

@@lewisdegnan5926 Felixstowe and Walton United who are currently 5th in the same league as Hashtag :)

[@crosslegend5137]

@@F1BrokeBoyseast Thurrock >>>>>>>

[@Timlin22]

They may have a bit more money and sponsorship than others but isn't that how English football has operated for the past 20+ years? Premier League teams are in the same boat with Billionaire takeovers allowing teams to have larger budgets and sign better players. And the social media presence that Hashtag has is something all clubs should have at some level in 2023.

[@smivadee]

Viz said Grays Athletic and my heart melted ❤

[@Vizeh]

The GOAT🐐 My pleasure my friend❤️

[@boundsgreenboy]

They shared the stadium of my local team for a season. It was thought the bar takings from the extra games would really help. However you can't make a lot of money from 3 16 year olds drinking a bottle of J2O each.

[@PorterStatsTheSecond]

My father played for Clacton Town (Now FC Clacton) in the Eastern Counties league. He actually played with a former professional French footballer Amara Simba. He made 3 caps for France and scored twice which means my dad played with a footballer that scored for one of the biggest nations. These are his stats and clubs Years. 1983-1986 Versailles 1986-1993 Paris Saint-Germain 126 (19) 1990-1991 → Cannes (loan) 28 (10) 1993-1994 Monaco 32 (4) 1994-1995 Caen 37 (12) 1995-1996 Lille 39 (4) 1996-1998 León 1998-2000 Leyton Orient 37 (13) 2000 Kingstonian 8 (6) 2000 → Kingstonian (loan) 9 (3) 2000 St. Albans City 5 (2) 2000 Kettering Town 2 (0) 2001 St. Albans City 3 (1) 2001 Barnet 0 (0) 2001-2002 Billericay Town 13 (4) 2002 Clacton Town (unknown) (unknown)

[@GoonerKai2002]

Seb calling my local town (bury town) is this bury or broadway is the highlight of my life

[@SebOnGolf]

😂

[@wojtek24msz]

Me when my local team gets mentioned because of Scott Pollock:

[@TheAuthorizedJay]

You've come a long way from playing and making videos on FIFA to creating wonderful football documentaries, Vizeh. I'm so glad to see it and I wish you luck on this path.

[@allxn4578]

Hashtag United is a class act. They are run by class people and the players are equally as class. I even got to know one of the original hashtag players a bit, George vallentyne, and have played a bit of fifa, f1 and gta fivem with him. Everybody involved with the tags are great.

[@joe.1.2.3.m]

As a fan of non league club in the same division as Hashtag, East Thurrock United, i somewhat agree with the fact that they have a financial advantage over other clubs in the league but it isn’t entirely true. Our club for example is owned by a billionaire Alfie Best; it’s about how you choose to spend your money or invest. They’ve evidently done incredibly well and while it is frustrating, it’s not unfair in my opinion. I agree with the fact that they have the unfair advantage with ex-pro’s (like Greg Halford) playing for them seems like a disadvantage for the rest of us as in a realistic situation, he wouldn’t join them if not for the media he’s getting from them

[@FadedFlicks]

I keep up with their videos and I have to say that the points made in this video were good. Of course they are going to be in a better place financially given their social status and will attract higher level players. However the same could be said for a club like Wrexham. Hollywood owners which is now leading to promotion to the professional levels with players who wouldn't be associated with the national league. What Spencer and Seb are doing is not taking advantage of their opponents but is actually giving them a bigger spotlight. As time has gone by, there has been less of the 'hatrid' towards Hashtag and teams are now appreciating them as a real footballing team rather than a social experiment.

[@fugginbazza]

The National League is to all extents and purposes a professional league. It's incredibly rare to see part-time / amateur players in that division. Even the North/South feeder leagues into the National are known to have clubs with full time 'professional' players and staff. The standard of players at tiers 5 & 6 is now very high in comparison to years gone by. HashTag aren't the disruptors that their detractors would portray them as when looked at from a playing/coaching staff point of view. The traditional 'non-league' non-professional club of part-timers with non football 'day jobs' is now tiers 6,7,8 of the overall pyramid rather than immediately below League 2.

[@harryallsop7920]

Even though I don’t support Hashtag they have got me interested in non league football and now Follow my local non league team Sheffield FC

[@Vizeh]

That’s fantastic!

[@harryallsop7920]

@@Vizeh the oldest football club in the world so has history and want to see them in a much higher league

[@sloveniesta]

This is the kind of thing that most of us who play FIFA and FM dream of doing. The fact that they're able to accomplish so much while doing it in such a non-traditional way is the only reason why they get the hate. Best of luck to them in the future and it'd be crazy to see them in the EPL.

[@kingsmillionaire_7632]

Hashtag is what embodies football. It’s the peoples game. They’re people, who had a dream of building a club

[@ArchitectGG]

"80% of you aren't subscribed" *Immediately jumps to a coin ad* Hmmm... I wonder if there's any correlation?

[@CrunchyMotorsport]

I live across the road form someone who plays for Hashtag. Pretty cool

[@DabDabGoose]

I have absolutely no problem with the club, they didn't do a MK dons and buy an existing club with history, they started at the bottom and did it proper, sure there is more money involved then other teams they face but it's not like they are billionaires, and it puts alot more eyes on the leagues that would never get eyes on it.

[@matthewhammond5774]

Tbf Port Vale was originally a place within Stoke when they were formed

[@BDavies211]

I've followed non-league football since I was 5. Hashtag United is an example of a non-league club growing themselves and isn't impossible for other existing clubs to do. The issue for me is clubs that are given financial backing for little reason such as Warrington Rylands and Macclesfield. The latter has a very similar reason for it existence to my club, 1874 Northwich. As both clubs were formed as a result of terrible financial issues at former clubs. I'm very proud of my fan-owned club being promoted twice, winning 5 cups and being robbed of a league title by covid, whereas Macclesfield, curtesy of Robbie Savage, are being supplied with seemingly infinite money to pay countless ex-league footballers and to purchase our league's and league above's top players. Although we were one of 4 league sides to beat Macclesfield this season, it is impossible to compete with them in terms of the league. Many of the top sides in the Northern Premier League Division One West will go another season without the reward of promotion, as a result of the financial backing of last season's champions, Warrington Rylands and this season's leaders, Macclesfield. Therefore, Hashtag United are absolutely not ruing non-league football, whereas the teams who are gifted financial backing are.

[@jeniffer9248]

To be fair at least Macclesfield have good gates and a history, Rylands are literally just a hobby club.

[@JoshuaC923]

It's still community football, just that the community is online. The internet has changed the way the world works, good on them for taking advantage of it👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnwharton3950]

just because someone wants to put a bit of money time and effort into a football club whilst most other teams are happy being mid doesn’t mean they should be punished, hashtag to the prem 🙌

[@jesusisking8471]

This is impossible to do in American sports. A shame honestly

[@MH-sj9bg]

I think this is what football should be about. Grassroots underdog story of rags to riches. Entrepreneurship. Bit of drama. TBH the fact that Hashtag has used their social media to create their financial success doesn't mean they're cheating or have an unfair advantage... It just means more established non-league teams haven't moved with the times.

[@Bram1]

I'm addicted to your documentary video's, great work! Can't wait for the next one

[@Vizeh]

More to come!💪🏼

[@Do27gg]

I think it’s all fair as it’s the extra work hashtag are doing that allows them to get the extra funds/ players. Most traditional clubs need to adapt in the same way it’s free to upload to KZbin. Also you could argue that they had a disadvantage since they’re new and don’t have a set location with fans

[@Davetubeproductions]

This is similar to wrexham, but in my opinion on s larger scale since they're a pretty new team. But since wrexham got bought out there's been some disdain and jealousy directed toward them since they are getting players and sponsors who for any other club would not be a part of. But I feel inorder to grow the non-league game you need these clubs to show the potential that teams can have and why some of these teams mean so much to their communities. I've played football manager and fifa and find it really interesting when I take over a club and bring them to heights that they have never seen before. Maybe in the next 20 or 30 years you can see a team like wrexham or hashtag united make an impact in a European competition. Football is for everyone and everyone/fan deserves to witness their club reach new heights

[@dannybloomfield2074]

As a Bury Town follower I really enjoy Hashtags story since I've watch Spencer from Fifa Playa days! The rise has a story, not much history noo but every club had to start somewhere.. As for money it's the same as AFC Fylde, Salford, now my team Ipswich. Clubs have more money then others it's football

[@SLOWMONUTKICK]

Crawley FC are another good example, as a League 2 side giving trials to the likes of Toby and Manny and also had Mark Wright on their books. Social media gives smaller clubs a chance to compete in a world where money is king.

[@bkak2245]

Except crawley are doing horrible rn tbh

[@SLOWMONUTKICK]

@@bkak2245 That is true XD

[@dylanprice5397]

15:19 another great example to mention is Brazilian legend Socrates played for garfoth town for a couple games

[@Vizeh]

Good shout!

[@RynoAM]

Hashtag are one of the main reasons I love football! I have followed them since the beginning and have loved every minute of it! I live in the USA, otherwise I would try to come to as many games as possible!

[@HoopLand4Life]

This team is something special

[@SailorFanTalk]

Really enjoyed this video - I knew next to nothing about Hashtag United so this was a great introduction. Non-league football sounds abit like the top league here in Singapore where you can have a relationship with the players too because of the scale of the league. If you're ever in Singapore, give us a shout and we'll take you to a game!

[@nintendope8837]

First thing I think of when I hear hashtag Is youtube football.. mental how far they've come

[@BDAShadow1]

It's ABSOLUTELY FAIR for Hashtag to use their online presence to attract players, crowds, and money. They have every right to climb the table just as any other club that's purchased and invested in, that's the entire point of promotion and relegation. Nothing is stopping any of these other teams to investing resources into building an online presence. I wasn't a fan of the name for the first few years but I actually really respect Spencer's decision to choose it deliberately to ruffle feathers, without doing anything wrong. What they've done is nothing but positive for the entire football community.

[@chapsjohn7435]

Yeah completely agree 👍

[@michaelbarrymore5349]

Hashtag United has been a wholly positive phenomenon. For them to get into the National League the online fanbase needs replicating on the terraces. Cashed Peterborough Sports are finding life unsustainable in the National League on an average of 400 fans.

[@SuperHawkVTR]

I’m trialing for this squad currently at the peak age of 29 I was a standout USA youth player for my local academy and signed to university football with lads from west Ham academy, Sheffield, Nike Academy UK, & international team lads of Holland, Denmark, El Salvador, Ireland, Nigeria, sweden, and Estonia tore my ACL age 17 had surgery on my 18th birthday been training a decade for this and this is my come back

[@cyberflea1]

its just fair game like any club can have a social media account and have it blow up too

[@basildonred9023]

I follow a team in the same league as Hashtag. Ive seen their attendances drop drastically since they provided the chance for people to stream their games for £5 per month. Its a great concept for non league football but its affects attendance at the game. Why will teenagers stand in the freezing cold in January and watch it when they can sit in their warm bedroom watching it on their iPhone. The whole point of non league football is being there, having a drink, a bite to eat and having a chat with the chairman etc etc. Non league teams need gate receipts to survive so while Hashtag bring a lot of attention to non league, they are ultimately doing nothing to help non league

[@alexcarr1642]

I'm a wolves fan and my opinion is that hashtag have no bigger advantage to non league sides than the likes of man city have in the prem the reason people have a problem is because its a team born from KZbin

[@TheStuartGibson]

This is my first exposure to hashtag United. While not a footballer or influencer I can see the advantage their approach has caused, and see how the jealousy from other have got. Its a such it up moment for the others, hashtag have found a niche and are exploiting it I wish you all the best

[@andrewhoughton8623]

Hashtag United are the future of football with their social media presence they could have the potential of having billions of fans and I strongly recommend every club non league or otherwise taking a leaf out of hashtag United's book and do exactly what hashtag United have done.

[@icdtplays]

Teams have businesses owning and supporting them. Look back over the last 30 years; Vauhall Motors - owned by a car manufacturering giant Billericay - owned by a multimillionaire business owner Crawley - had massive investment in 2010 that got them to the football league Fleetwood - another owned by a multimillionaire business owner Forest Green - once again, by a multimillionaire business owner Then you have teams like South Shields and Macclesfield who have massive investment too. No one says a word about those teams, but one built from the ground up are insulted and ridiculed just because their roots are in KZbin and Social Media. I think they're doing great work and showing clubs how social media can be utilised. Top work Tags

[@m0str33t]

Love Hashtag. Prolly my favorite english club. And one of the only clubs I feel I have rights to truly support. I’ve watched hashtag since the start. I’m a true hashtag fan.

[@Vizeh]

Incredible!

[@randomshotz13]

The FA getting picky about the name is funny when you have longstanding historical teams like the Met Police and Arsenal which aren't based on place names but companies

[@diabloajax9884]

Hashtag will make it into national league but it will be so god damn hard to get oud that league and promote league 2. If retired players want to play for the club isn’t a strange thing like you said, a lot of players drop down a few leagues because they can’t say by to the life they had for 30 years. From playing and training every day to nothing at all, is something a lot of players can’t do, they need the transition to semi pro or amateur level to quit the game fully. Its not only happening in England, you see it everywhere, also here in the Netherlands. I think it’s great to have a club like hashtag, I follow their story because I like the way it started to exist. And also I like it because it’s every boys dream to play, if you aren’t good enough or (in my case) injured and forced to stop playing, being a coach or a owner is the second best thing in football. Because they share so much of it you get the idea you’re part of it, and so living your dream.

[@adamscholes2123]

hashtag united is a sign of the times but it does take away from the tribalism and loyalty of having local teams, especially if others follow in their footsteps.

[@MetaMikeYT]

Very nice editing and research done Vizeh, u honestly deserve all the success the channel has been getting!

[@Vizeh]

Thanks a ton! I try my best!

[@paulrobinson5788]

As a Leeds fan, I have nothing but admiration for Hashtag united doing things differently, I believe they will be successful. I love the ethos of the club in general. Nothing in life is a given and that's the same in football. Leeds will always be my team, but hashtag as a non league team I have started to follow and I may pop down and watch match. Good luck to the tags 😊

[@ciarangallaghercg]

I think part of this stems from the fact that in the UK we have quite a "one club" mentality. A lot of lower teams dislike hashtag united because they see them as stealing fans and success from them. I quite enjoy the philosophy that I've seen abroad often in places like Germany which is just simply, we love football and we'll support as many teams as we want as long as they're not rivals. It's a fantastic way to grow the sport and give lower levels the love they need.

[@zqualified3901]

Social media is a growing part of todays society and they’re not the only team who uses social media to grow their fan base. Walton & hersham and bunch of amateurs are both well known on TikTok for non league.

[@Vizeh]

Great example!

[@Balotovi]

How can English fans unironically complain about teams like Hashtag United? In a league where it's accepted that some teams are just owned by some oil guy giving that teams unlimited money how can it be even remotely as unfair to have a guy realize his dream in founding a football club?

[@Butcho22]

Never heard of this team before watching this video. This is awesome. I'm definitely going to watch their try-out series.

[@garyella1301]

Right now there is 2 main teams in my city. One plays in league one and the other plays in national league north, for the first time in their history too. Only a few years prior they were playing against local teams in the city. A few promotions later they are only 2 divisions away from league 2 football. I watched their playoff final to reach the national league north. With flares kicking off at half time delaying the 2nd half. It was 1-0 at the break and making it 2-0 in the 2nd half, the opposition had 2 penalties in the game and the keeper saved both of them. Probably the best game I've ever been and that's something only the non-league games can offer you. Right now they are comfortably in mid table and even very close to the play offs, but just sustaining that position in their debut season in the division is already punching above their weight.

[@beaudelecluse7004]

This was a great video for people who didn’t know anything about it and didn’t follow it. Myself followed it since early from manjdog his first goal to dan brown all time topscorer to scot pollock in the academy. I’m really happy that hashtag brought me interest in non-league and the football system in England which I was not familiar with as someone from Belgium. Thanks for all the memories hashtag! Tags for life #️⃣#️⃣#️⃣#️⃣#️⃣

[@Vizeh]

Incredible! Thank you

[@johncastaneda2932]

i started watching non league much more because of spencer, and hashtag united. as im native from the united states i never really payed attention to the non league in the UK and honestly since the club had formed i’ve been watching not only hashtag but sm other teams in non league.

[@cs3807]

Any club at this level can do what Hashtag are doing, but choose not to. The live streaming is available to any of these teams, networking with sponsors and higher level players the same. They have taken advantage of their strengths of networking and technology. Nothing unfair about it.

[@bkarnhem874]

I feel like there is nothing wrong with this concept and most people are just jealous, because they are emotionally invested into their own local club. They are doing way more good for the lower leagues than harm. Yeah they might take a promotion spot away from another team, but eventually they will find a level where they stay around for multiple years and they might even get relegated and keep another team from relegating. If anything it has opened up new opportunities for clubs to connect more with fans and with the rising attendances in lower leagues, i think it has worked

[@altvctr]

In the world of football oligarchs, this kind of idea is really catchy. Used to go to a Liga 3 club games on Saturday and it was the same 300 supporters max and a great atmosphere. Come tour Romania at some point, surely you could best our league 2 teams and even some in the first division. Sidenote, if EA would include non league football in Fifa that would be a dream

[@KFR]

When you talked about players dropping down shouldve mentioned Greg Halford played in prem and currently a hashtag player great video though really enjoyed it

[@ThomasSankaramybeloved]

Will continue to bring more attention to the non league game than it would otherwise get, and just an inspirational story from Spencer's point of view.

[@hashtagyusuf5770]

I’ve bean a Hashtag United fan since 2016 and what they have Achieved soooooo much already I’m soooooooo proud of this team and they are going places if they keep doing the things they love to do

[@Vizeh]

That’s class lad!

[@hizzyyt]

In Germany there is a similar project. Delay Sports is a KZbin Team. Me Personally Got motivated to play Football in the Kreisklasse (Like 9th Tier of German Football)

[@Vizeh]

I didn’t know that! That’s interesting!

[@MikeLaBelle]

1. This video is extremely well done. Killed it Vizeh 2. Hashtag United is legit a dream team that became a reality. #UpTheTags

[@Vizeh]

Thank you my brother!🇺🇸

[@GoonerKai2002]

Bury town are massive up the town we’ve made it the man himself mentioned the town I live in

[@Vizeh]

Happy too give them their justified attention!🙌🏼

[@JosephHerzog]

Tried to buy 3 shirts from them and their supplier went bankrupt? Weirdest thing, never experienced that before when buying jerseys. Never got my shirts. Hoping to try to buy from them and support someday once they get all that figured out.

[@maxl.b.m.y.g.5918]

7:51 I thought he said Alfie Haaland for a second

[@Prpl-r5c]

The thing is their presence was built by them(Spencer). So what they have is theirs

[@EyebrowsGaming]

I love that in the list of "legends" you left out Robbie Savage. Big respect, guy's been a joke with a big mouth his whole career

[@BluebellyGaming]

5:40 just FYI, Seb's surname is Carmichael-Brown. Spencer's surname is also Carmichael-Brown, but he used his middle name Owen when he started gaining popularity online (shorter, easier to spell, etc.) and it stuck.

[@Vizeh]

Yes I’ve spoken to him, we’ve laughed it off and he’s forgiven me haha

[@mosalah11thegoat]

11:33 SHOE ARMY ASSEMBLE

[@dave518]

I love that Aston Villa are in the Championship according to your graphic :D

[@JordanSMonk]

Shoutout to Bamber Bridge! Where I’m from. We massive now.

[@filipponasello1390]

I never knew anything about this, it was very interesting to learn about. Great video! Subscribed!

[@oneoneday]

What they’ve done is incredible, long may it continue

[@varagustsson4461]

Good and fair video. Was pleasently surprised to see my face at one point 🤣 (the icelandic fan)

[@Vizeh]

Haha that’s incredible! You’re a legend!🇮🇸

[@seangotts6470]

you should do a vid on harrogate town .. they went from like the 8th tier to div 2 in 10 years ...pretty impressive tbh

[@asianlad9203]

yes they might have an advantage but at least its not like the salford/ billericay approach

[@shanemcgaley8322]

You can't diss the goat of Billericay in Jeremy Swazza Lynch

[@asianlad9203]

@@shanemcgaley8322 best player on the ball in arsenal at just 17💪

[@iammickt]

I think Hashtag Utd have done very well, and these other teams in the Non-League levels can very much learn from Spencer and the Hashtag organization. Not only in growth but bring in extra funds to help their clubs; I do hope to see Hashtag Utd National League in the next 3-5yrs; social media has a massive impact on how a club growth. These older clubs who have been around have for 100+ yrs need to step away from structure of old and move into the current, videos and social media has and from now till "forever" will have massive impacts on clubs. Great Video

[@michaelfarrow5817]

I honestly don't care either way but you can see that some teams would be annoyed by this. When Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes and AFC Wimbledon started again in the Combined Counties League, they proved to be one big payday a year for the other clubs. Sure, they could outspend every club in the division but some of the wealth was being shared around. Similarly, there's a split of gate receipts in cup games. If you are selling livestreams but nobody is coming through the turnstiles, all that money goes straight into Hashtag's coffers.

[@danielthompson707]

Different times now. Most other teams were founded way before this era. I would imagine this becomes the norm in regards to new teams getting founded moving forward.

[@zuffin1864]

It ain't a problem to non league if they just get promoted out of their division