Game changers: How Wembley Cup will showcase the new face of football as Hashtag United play The F2 Freestylers
Get football updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Here’s a quick quiz question: can you name the captain who has lifted two successive trophies at Wembley and is bidding for a third today?
You’ve probably never heard of him. But your kids or grandchildren almost certainly have.
In fact, they are likely to form the core of his two million subscribers on YouTube , watching his incredibly popular FIFA 18 -inspired football videos religiously every day.
Meet Spencer Owen. The hugely likeable skipper of Hashtag United - and the man behind the biggest team on social media.
(Image: EE)
Heavily comprised of influencers (and some of his mates), they will take on anyone, anywhere and at anytime, all for the benefit of their aged 16-24 male dominated following.
This afternoon it just so happens to be at the National Stadium - in front of over 32,000 paying customers as virtual reality meets reality.
Mirror Football columnists Robbie Savage and Robbie Fowler are among of the ‘Legends’ taking part in the 90-minute extravaganza that is being screened exclusively by YouTube.
They will be joined by two former England captains in Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand, alongside Emile Heskey and David James as Hashtag United take on The F2 Freestylers.
Who are they? Jeremy Lynch and Billy Wingrove . The former made his big breakthrough on Britain’s Got Talent in 2008 and he tuned up for today’s test with an FA Cup outing for non-League head-turners Billericay Town earlier this week.
Together The F2 boast a YouTube audience of over six million subscribers. As such, they even have a lucrative partnership deal with adidas , understood to be worth a six-figure sum.
From the outside, this match may appear to be an exhibition to please the millennial masses who are largely unappeased by international football.
But this game is significant in many ways.
It is a nod to the future. For starters, VARs (that’s video assistant referees) will be trialled for the first ever time in England. If there is an incorrect ‘game changing’ decision relating to goals, penalties or red cards, it can be reviewed.
It is also a litmus test for the appetite to stream football online.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Earlier this week, social media giants Facebook confirmed their desire to compete with Amazon , Sky Sports and BT Sport when the 2019-2022 Premier League broadcasting rights go up for auction next February.
“It would be pre­­mature to speculate how we might ap­­­proach that opportunity,” said Facebook’s Head of Sport, Dan Reed.
How a job with Vincent Kompany (and zooming down the motorway with Mario Balotelli) put Spencer FC on the road to YouTube fame
“It’s still early days and there is no template for this.”
However, today may well provide it with the expectation for this game to exceed last year’s live stream audience of 275,000.
Seb Carmichael-Brown, Hashtag United's commercial director and long serving No.11, told Mirror Football : "We are so excited about this game.
"I played in last year's match where we had 22,000 in the stadium. I was even lucky enough to score a goal. Celebrating that moment with my brother (Spencer) in the corner flag was one of the most surreal experiences of my life.
(Image: Umbro)
"This year we have 32,000-plus coming, so can only imagine how excited we are going to be walking out on the hallowed turf together again this time."
Indeed, whatever happens, Spencer Owen - who quit a job as Vincent Kompany’s social media manager to go successfully go solo five years ago - will be a winner.
What is the Wembley Cup?
It is a football match that showcases some of the finest football 'influencers’ on YouTube, run by Wembley sponsors EE. In its third year, Spencer Owen has won the past two trophies.
How much do tickets cost?
Fans are being charged £15 (a £10 for EE customers) with tickets still on sale ahead of the game - although not on the door.
How can I watch the game?
It will be streamed live on EE’s Facebook page and on Spencer FC's YouTube channel - click here for more .
Who are Hashtag United?
The online start-up team is the brainchild of Spencer Owen. They play matches against a variety of football clubs or brands, screening their weekly trials and tribulations on his Spencer FC YouTube channel .