Hashtag United F.C.

Structure

Hashtag United do not play in a conventional league, instead they play in exhibition matches against other teams. They commonly play under a system similar to that of the FIFA video game series, where they play a set number of games and try to reach a point target for those games. If they do this then the team is promoted a 'division' and for the next set of games they play harder teams. The system is controlled by the club, and most of their opponents apply to play against the side.

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." The club rent out the White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre, which has a large grandstand which they use to help get better camera shots for their YouTube videos.

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.

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 (Tassel Rushan) and Boras Legend (Ivan Lapanje).

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Current Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable 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

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 .

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.

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.

United would play there 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Division 3, United would start facing Sunday League teams. For there 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On 28 December 2016, Spencer Owen posted the Hashtag United awards night. Hashtag United revealed a new signing, Theo Baker.

2017

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.