YouTube and Esports sensations Hashtag United have announced they are creating a Hashtag United Women‘s team.
Launched in 2016 by founder, Spencer Owen, Hashtag has over 1 million followers across their social media channels.
AFC Basildon Women – Essex’s most successful women’s side – will merge with them to become Hashtag United Women. They will compete in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South East, the fourth tier of women’s football in the UK.
They will also field Under-23 and U18 sides.
Spencer Owen said “Our goal at Hashtag United has always been to grow the club at a controlled and steady rate with an aim of being inclusive and representational for all.
Following the 2019 Women’s World Cup I made a personal pledge to support the growth of women’s football and had been looking for the right opportunity to do so since.
I knew the best case scenario would be bringing a women’s team under our wing at Hashtag so I could ensure continuous support long-term. After reaching out locally to see what teams were in need of support, AFC Basildon stood out from the rest right away as a club that are not only geographically very close to our base but are also the most successful women’s team in the county. Upon meeting the committee there I felt we were on the same page in terms of what we want to achieve. They’ve done a fantastic job in getting the club to where it is and now we want to see what we can do working together.”
This is a very uncertain time for much of football right now but we hope that by committing to the growth of Hashtag United we can reassure our players, staff, volunteers, supporters, and future supporters, that we will continue to do what we are good at in giving people a thoroughly enjoyable football experience, whether they play for us, work with us, support us or watch us online.
“This move also furthers the important process of us putting down some permanent roots and providing opportunities to those in our local community, whilst simultaneously bringing more attention to the Women’s game.
They will play their home games at Canvey Island FC.
Trials for the women’s team will be held when deemed safe and potential players within the Essex/East London area are being invited to register their interest via an online form.
