It’s that time of the year again; the summer transfer window is upon us and clubs are relentlessly hunting for the next footballing prodigy. Across the world supporters are clutching their phones, tablets and laptops from morning till night, keeping up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours and dealings surrounding their club.
I’d be confident enough to bet my left leg that the majority of football followers reading this, have at some point read a story online regarding a player they don’t know much about, is rumoured to be signing for their club, and their first port of call was to search them up on YouTube to gain a better understanding of their ability. From there, a first impression is established and they may proceed to express their delight or dismay on the matter in the comments section.
YouTube is becoming increasingly more popular in relation to fan engagement; it gives supporters the opportunity to view content and information that in past times would not have been possible.
The online video-sharing platform was founded on the 14th February 2005 and was bought over by Google for $1.59 billion just over a year later. Since then it has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar business and has recorded over a billions users. The network has grown immensely in financial terms, but also in its repertoire of uses.
YouTube is now more than just a video-sharing platform; it is a hub for educating, growing businesses, building communities, strengthening relationships and even making a living.
is a YouTube channel that has a following just shy of 500,000 subscribers, the channel features in-depth analysis and highlights of players across the globe by showcasing their statistics, skills and weaknesses. A channel like this is ideal for fans that are seeking to engage in current football affairs as it allows their voice to be heard, discussed and appreciated among an online society of people with similar interests. Fans can essentially get a taste of what it’s like to be a football scout, browsing and conversing over the next generation of football starlets at their own discretion.
Another sign that YouTube is revolutionising the way in which fans can engage with the sport was the recent Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, whereby BT Sports were able to live stream the match free of charge to subscribers through the online platform. This is something that has never been done before in such a capacity, well legally anyway. The audience were able to engage in discussions while watching the match from the comfort of their own home; this resulted in a unique and memorable experience for fans from a number of countries.
As aforementioned, the way in which Youtube and its uses are developing would suggest that the website will start to play a more prevalent role in the footballing industry. The online platform’s capabilities are ever expanding and more and more fans are engaging day by day. YouTubers, TV broadcasters and football clubs are increasing and improving the content on their channels as the younger generation of fans, who dominate such platforms, are more demanding than ever for regular updates and closer relationships with such establishments. Who knows?… the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo could be waiting to be discovered by an obsessive football fan and YouTube fanatic.