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‑robust full‑time media group, producing a relentless stream of content material that creates an extra income supply most golf equipment at their stage do not need.
But the membership entice a median of solely 216 supporters per match to their momentary residence in Aveley, Essex. In accordance with the membership, that had develop into a “poisonous” state of affairs – one they now really feel they need to resolve.
“In the meanwhile, no less than, we don’t profit from the core enterprise mannequin that golf equipment 100 years previous in our division have, whether or not gate receipts or meals‑and‑beverage revenue,” Owen stated.
He stated relegation would imply lowering the taking part in price range by 30–40%, with “six figures” being reinvested into a brand new everlasting residence 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 massive swing for us – a everlasting residence, constructing a fanbase.
“We have had 4 houses. We have by no means spent a penny on attempting to drive folks to video games. Subsequent yr we’ll spend important cash on that.
“That is why we should shield 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 would 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 would get relegated on the pitch – however this determination solely got here not too long ago as a result of our kind, sponsorship state of affairs 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 lower the price range. We’re nonetheless attempting to win video games. Slicing the price range and tanking can be immoral.”
Owen speaks with ardour and frustration after every week of criticism for requesting voluntary relegation. He harassed repeatedly that subsequent season’s price range will stay the identical, however can be put into infrastructure slightly than “extortionate” wages for “left‑backs or proper midfielders” at Isthmian Premier League stage.
“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 stated. “I’ve completed most of this job at no cost through the years.
“There’s this concept that I’ve made thousands and thousands off YouTube, however I actually have not. I have not completed 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 folks we’re up towards 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 really self‑funded.
“Nobody talks concerning the reality we’ve not, at any second on this determination, questioned lowering our girls’s group price range. We determined to relegate our males slightly than our girls – how typically does that occur?
“Our division will change, however when it comes to our content material and the best way we attempt to revolutionise matchday expertise, there’s by no means been a much bigger change in Hashtag’s historical past. We wish to get again to Step 3, however with a much bigger fanbase.”
