HASHTAG UNITED’s owner has admitted the “Wrexham effect” was part of the reason in forcing them to ASK to be relegated.
The cult club, founded by YouTuber Spencer Owen a decade ago, has risen through the leagues to the Isthmian League Premier Division after entering the Eastern Counties Division One South in 2018.
However, in a lengthy statement released on Wednesday evening, the owner revealed the club had asked the FA to be relegated to the tier below, regardless of their final league position.
The Essex-based outfit took the decision based on it being the best plan for them long term.
Owen also admitted that only a handful of clubs in the lower tiers were capable of catapulting their teams up the English football pyramid like Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have done with Wrexham.
The statement said: “I think the game is broken. It’s not football that’s become God. It’s money. Football’s governance is lacking. The finances are unsustainable at almost every level.
“There’s no denying this year has been tough on the pitch. The reality is given our budget, in a landscape of unprecedented spending in the seventh tier.
“Call it the Wrexham effect if you want. The truth is there are only a handful of clubs and owners capable of doing what Ryan and Rob have done.
“For most, a club’s fortunes will be entirely linked to the depth of an owner’s pockets and the level of their enthusiasm. As soon as either gets smaller, all bets are off.
“We want to have the best players we can and play at the highest level possible, but not at the cost of our staff’s jobs and not at the cost of us being able to continue our mission of innovating and changing the game.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“So many teams burn out as a result of flying too close to the sun. We have to stand for something bigger than just winning.”
Hashtag had enjoyed three promotions in seven seasons to make the Isthmian League Premier Division – the seventh tier on the English football pyramid.
But the demand for higher spending on away-game travel, stadium infrastructure and medical requirements has proven difficult to keep up with.
League bosses have now confirmed that Hashtag have asked to be relegated despite the fact they currently sit 18th – one place and one point above the bottom four.
Hashtag have now issued their own statement and will get their way pending FA approval.
The team that finishes fourth from bottom will likely be spared come the end of the campaign.
The statement continued: “Moving to Step 4 will mean significant budgetary savings that will be reinvested into other key parts of the business at a crucial time.
“This could be the best thing that ever happened to us, at the perfect time. This is not a relegation. It is a revolution.”
Owen added the club would not release players who wanted to stay and had made the announcement this early to give them time to consider their futures.
Top sport travel deals
WE have teamed up with top travel companies to secure amazing deals on some of the most spectacular contests.
Our partners’ packages include:
💪 See WrestleMania 42 live in Las Vegas including party with WWE stars
🎯 Luke Littler headlines the Premier League Darts on Thursday nights
⚽︎ Tickets and hotels to see top Premier League games at Man Utd and Arsenal
🐴 Save cash on premium packages to all the top horse racing meetings with our exclusive code
🎾 See the greatest tennis players on the planet compete at Wimbledon this summer
Check out more of our sport travel offers HERE
*If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
