Nong: The English football club officially submits an application to the FA requesting 'to be relegated'

Despite currently holding an advantage in the relegation battle, Hashtag United shocks by proactively requesting to play in a lower league to ensure financial stability and comprehensive restructuring of the club.

The semi-professional club Hashtag United has officially submitted a request to be relegated from the Isthmian League Premier Division (the 7th tier in the English football system) to The Football Association (FA). Notably, the club is currently ranked 19th, positioned just above the relegation zone and recently secured an important 3-1 victory against Canvey Island.

Typically, clubs would fight to the end to stay in the higher division. However, founder Spencer Owen asserts this is a necessary "management move." He shares: “We chose this because we believe it provides the best foundation for the future. Current football governance is flawed, and financial sustainability is lacking at all levels.”

Instead of cutting budgets or laying off staff when facing difficulties, Hashtag United chooses to play in "Step 4" (the 8th tier) to protect player welfare. The club commits to not cutting wages or dismissing anyone who wishes to stay.

“Typically, clubs would cut budgets and release contracts immediately after the deadline, leaving players without income. We will not do that,” Owen emphasizes. Relegation will save significant funds to reinvest in staff recruitment and develop the audience at the new stadium of Redbridge FC starting from the 2026/27 season.

Born in 2016 from a YouTube project, Hashtag United quickly attracted 672,000 subscribers and achieved promotion three times in five seasons. However, the intensity of the 7th tier with escalating costs—what Owen calls the "Wrexham effect"—has forced the club to reassess reality.

Even while proactively requesting relegation, the competitive spirit of the men's team remains paramount. The club's president states: “Our goal is still to avoid finishing in the bottom four positions. I would never come to a match without wanting the team to win. We will fight to the end with smiles on our faces.”

Regarding the organizers, the Isthmian League stated the final decision belongs to the FA. If the request is approved, the spot to remain in the league will be given to the team ranked fourth from bottom. For Spencer Owen, this is not a failure: “Relegation is a harsh word, but for us, this is not relegation. This is a revolution.”