Owen helped construct Hashtag right into a membership with greater than two million social media followers – much like Bournemouth, the Premier League membership with the fewest followers.
They make use of a 14‑sturdy full‑time media staff, producing a relentless stream of content material that creates a further income supply most golf equipment at their stage do not need.
But the membership appeal to a median of solely 216 supporters per match to their short-term house in Aveley, Essex. In accordance with the membership, that had turn into a “poisonous” scenario – one they now really feel they have to resolve.
“For the time being, not less than, we don’t profit from the core enterprise mannequin that golf equipment 100 years outdated in our division have, whether or not gate receipts or meals‑and‑beverage earnings,” Owen stated.
He stated relegation would imply lowering the taking part in finances by 30–40%, with “six figures” being reinvested into a brand new everlasting house 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 huge swing for us – a everlasting house, constructing a fanbase.
“We have had 4 houses. We have by no means spent a penny on making an attempt to drive individuals to video games. Subsequent yr we’ll spend important cash on that.
“That is why we should defend sources. Individuals say, ‘You raised all this cash, absolutely you’ll be able to afford Step 3.’ Sure, we might – however it will drawback the enterprise long run as a result of we might must 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 choice solely got here just lately resulting from 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 depart. However we did not minimize the finances. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to win video games. Slicing the finances and tanking can be immoral.”
Owen speaks with ardour and frustration after every week of criticism for requesting voluntary relegation. He confused repeatedly that subsequent season’s finances will stay the identical, however might 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 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 in regards to the reality we now have not, at any second on this choice, questioned lowering our girls’s staff finances. We determined to relegate our males slightly than our girls – how usually 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 need to get again to Step 3, however with an even bigger fanbase.”
