Ollerton Football Club need the public’s help to get them over the line against Shepshed Dynamo and Wembley FC to secure ‘Non league to legends’ Lollujo Youtube channel collaboration
An area football club is on the verge of being featured by a prominent youtuber but they need the public’s help in securing enough votes to get them over the line.
Ollerton Community Football Club are among the last three finalists for the Lollujo Youtube channel’s ‘Non-League to Legend’ series where Football Manager 2024 diehard aficionado Kevin Chapman sees how far he can take a grassroots club in the popular computer game.
The channel has over 183k subscribers and the series has proven highly popular in the past.
Club chairman Liam Kent said that securing this opportunity would mean happier times down at Walesby Lane.
Ollerton Town are hoping that after a difficult and tumultuous period, Kevin will be able to take them to glory in the virtual world and give them some great, positive exposure to the wider football loving community.
If successful with their bid, the series will provide Ollerton some much needed benefits as they continue to battle through tough times.
Kevin has vowed to not only manage whatever club is chosen on Football Manager but to also collaborate with them in real life.
“I want to be able to film multiple episodes throughout the series at whatever club ends up being chosen,” said Kevin.
“I want to be able to film some other clips at the club to use in videos and across social media throughout the series.
“This isn’t just a turn up on episode one and then do a normal football manager save from there.
“I want to be working in collaboration with the club, visiting them quite frequently throughout the save and having lots of interaction along the way.
“I want to come along to training and film that as well.
“I want to be able to have a subscriber meet up at one of their matches and quite importantly I want to be able to produce some collaborative merchandise.
“This would probably look like a replica shirt with my logo on the front and their badge so we can split the proceeds.
“This is important because it is a way of me paying the club for all the work they do, we will also be able to give back.
“There will be a shirt done for whatever club is chosen which will be made available for people to buy.”
The club are currently coming last against Shepshed Dynamo and Wembley FC with voting expected to end soon.
The club is no stranger to being an underdog after the last 18 months has seen several challenges affect them.
There was a period of time where questions were even asked as to whether Ollerton Town would be able to keep their doors open.
After the departure of their long term manager of over a decade and most of their first team, The Town then went on to a succession of multiple managers and a losing streak that lasted 196 days.
With only four points obtained this season in the Northern Counties East League, Ollerton Town will now be relegated at the end of the season.
Kevin was initially pleased with Ollerton Town’s 60 second video pitch as like him, chairman Liam Kent also sports a beard and glasses.
“I guess I will start with why you shouldn’t choose the other teams that have applied,” said Liam in the club’s application video.
“There are some good clubs on that list, clubs that I know.
“They have nice grounds, they have large fan bases, healthy budgets and are quite successful on the pitch.
“These are all things that we are not.
“Our facilities leave a lot to be desired.
“What we are is a project, what we are is a club on the up.
“I think we have a good story to tell and I think together we can produce some really great content.”
“I like that guy, that was good,” said Kevin about Ollerton’s pitch.
The club are now asking for the community’s help to vote for them.
You can vote by clicking here.
“This would make a huge difference for us,” said Liam.
“No disrespect to the other clubs but they are doing ok, they don’t need as much help as we do.”
Since taking over the reins as chairman of the club with a younger committee, Liam has looked at ways to grow Ollerton Town while benefiting their community.
The club now boasts several new youth teams and an innovative partnership with mental health charity, In Sam’s Name.
“We have gone from no youth teams to several girls and boys teams.
“Next season we won’t be far off having from under-eights to under-14s.
“Today we had 20 youngsters down here playing football on the back field while our 1sts were out.
“The audience is there, we just need to get the facilities.
“The response has been good and we want to build on that.
“We want to give more back to In Sam’s Name, with how tough things have been here, it has been hard.
“I am having a conversation with them on ways we can help.
“Lee Brazier who is the mayor of Ollerton is really big on mental health and he wants to make Ollerton the town that talks and our football club can play a big part in that.
“We are having discussions so that we can all work together to tackle the issue of suicide.
“We have opened our facilities up to others and are engaging with our community.
“When things are not going great on the pitch like at the minute, one of the ways to get people on board is to reach out and engage.
“We have done a remembrance day parade, a Christmas light switch on and we have a community clean up day coming up in May.
“We are really trying to drive the community engagement aspect.
“It isn’t just Saturdays are for games and Tuesdays are for training.”