Owen helped construct Hashtag right into a membership with greater than two million social media followers – just like Bournemouth, the Premier League membership with the fewest followers.
They make use of a 14‑sturdy full‑time media group, producing a relentless stream of content material that creates an extra income supply most golf equipment at their degree don’t have.
But the membership appeal to a mean of solely 216 supporters per match to their short-term dwelling in Aveley, Essex. In accordance with the membership, that had grow to be a “poisonous” scenario – one they now really feel they have to resolve.
“In the intervening time, a minimum of, we don’t profit from the core enterprise mannequin that golf equipment 100 years outdated in our division have, whether or not gate receipts or meals‑and‑beverage revenue,” Owen mentioned.
He mentioned relegation would imply decreasing the taking part in price range by 30–40%, with “six figures” being reinvested into a brand new everlasting dwelling at Redbridge FC’s Techsoc.Com Stadium, subsequent to Barkingside station and simply reachable from each London and Essex.
“You could not get a extra Hashtag location,” Owen added. “It is a large swing for us – a everlasting dwelling, constructing a fanbase.
“We have had 4 properties. We have by no means spent a penny on making an attempt to drive individuals to video games. Subsequent 12 months we’ll spend vital cash on that.
“That is why we should defend assets. Folks say, ‘You raised all this cash, absolutely you’ll be able to afford Step 3.’ Sure, we may – however it might drawback the enterprise long run as a result of we might need to spend supporters’ cash on footballers who would not assure success.
“Everybody who understands soccer is aware of that is the smarter play. Get a floor. Construct a fanbase. Take a step again. Drop the ego. Do what’s proper lengthy‑time period.
“Ideally, we might get relegated on the pitch – however this resolution solely got here not too long ago because of our kind, sponsorship scenario and alternatives forward that we could not take.
“We communicated with the gamers early – every week earlier than the registration deadline. Some selected to go away. However we did not minimize the price range. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to win video games. Reducing the price range and tanking could be immoral.”
Owen speaks with ardour and frustration after every week of criticism for requesting voluntary relegation. He confused repeatedly that subsequent season’s price range will stay the identical, however will likely be put into infrastructure reasonably than “extortionate” wages for “left‑backs or proper midfielders” at Isthmian Premier League degree.
“I personal about 65% now; I owned 85–90% then. I’ve by no means been remunerated for any of the shares I diluted,” he mentioned. “I’ve finished most of this job without cost through the years.
“There’s this concept that I’ve made thousands and thousands off YouTube, however I actually have not. I have never finished something on my channel in eight years. That is the place I used to make my cash, however I put Hashtag first.
“I am not struggling. However the individuals we’re up in opposition to are guys who’ve made some huge cash from different companies and are having fun with a dalliance with soccer. Good luck to them. However we’re not that. We’re actually self‑funded.
“Nobody talks concerning the reality we’ve got not, at any second on this resolution, questioned decreasing our girls’s group price range. We determined to relegate our males reasonably than our girls – how typically does that occur?
“Our division will change, however by way of our content material and the best way we attempt to revolutionise matchday expertise, there’s by no means been an even bigger change in Hashtag’s historical past. We wish to get again to Step 3, however with an even bigger fanbase.”
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