Spencer FC crowned the EE Wembley Cup Champions #WembleyCup
* The star-studded final took place on Friday 2 September at Wembley Stadium connected by EE
* EA SPORTS FIFA Legends Robert Pires, Patrick Kluivert and Jamie Carragher, plus manager Martin Keown led the team to victory
* Over 21,000 tickets were sold for The EE Wembley Cup Final
* Live streams peaked at 275,000 over EE’s award-winning 4G network
* Match highlights will feature in the final episode of the eight-part online football series, available on Spencer FC’s YouTube channel and via the EE website – view the latest episodes here
2 September 2016, London: Spencer Owen’s YouTube team Spencer FC, today, retained the EE Wembley Cup, following star-studded showdown at the nation’s home of football, Wembley Stadium, connected by EE.
The team of 15, who enjoyed some help on the pitch in the form of EA SPORTS FIFA Legends Robert Pires, Patrick Kluivert and Jamie Carragher, took the trophy with a runaway 7-4 triumph over fellow YouTube side the Weller Wanderers.
Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural online web series, The Wembley Cup, EE once again brought a host of YouTube’s top football content creators together for the most epic football-themed online series in history – but this time the stakes were raised thanks to the inclusion of six EA SPORTS FIFA Legends (exclusive to XBOX). The YouTubers were pushed to their sporting limits during the seven episodes before they took part in the final match – with each episode offering both sides the chance to win a football legend to play on their team.
The exclusive online eight-part series - which launched in early August and has already amassed nearly 13 million views for the first seven episodes - documents the journey of YouTube phenomenon Spencer Owen (Spencer FC) and fellow YouTuber Joe Weller as they battle it out to each build a team strong enough to take the title. In the episodes, they both compete in a series of tough and entertaining physical challenges to win the dream team to take part in the grand final.
This year was the first time fans were able to buy tickets to the live final at England’s national stadium and the power was placed firmly in their hands, as they were able to shape the teams on the day and call the shots through live social media polls during the match. The final was also streamed live over EE’s 4G network for the first time, so that fans unable to attend could also tune in and enjoy the full 90 minutes of play.
Spencer Owen, founder of YouTube channel Spencer FC and captain of the winning side said: “I can’t tell you how happy I am that my team have taken the title of Wembley Cup winners – again!
This series has truly been the biggest and best yet, with over 21,000 tickets sold for the final and nearly 13 million views on YouTube to date.”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the EA Sports FIFA Legends who gave up their time to take part and our fearless YouTube stars for allowing us to put them through their paces throughout the series. Secondly, a huge thank you must go to EE and Wembley Stadium for making this all possible and for allowing my dream of playing on the pitch at Wembley to come true – again! Finally, without the fans none of this would be possible, so a huge thanks to them for their support throughout the series – especially to those who came to watch the game in person.”
Joe Weller, captain of losing side The Weller Wanderers said: “I’m gutted that we couldn’t come away from the game with the all-important trophy but Spencer and the team were worthy winners tonight. A huge thanks to all the fans who attended and cheered us on. It’s certainly not the last you’ve heard of the Weller Wanderers – watch this space!”
The full line-up of social media influencers who took part alongside Spencer FC and Joe Weller included Joe Sugg, Caspar Lee, Chris MD, Manny, Sean Garnier , BennyCentral, Castro1021YT, Daniel Cutting, FootballSkills98, George Benson, Hugh Wizzy, Kazooie94, MHjerpseth, Poet, Seb, Str Skill School, Theo Baker, TwoSync, Vujanic, Jimmy Conrad, Elliot Crawford, ChuBoi and Bateson87.
Peter Jeavons, brand director at EE, said: “The challenge this year was to make The Wembley Cup even bigger and better than the hugely successful first series. It was no mean feat, but with over 21,000 tickets sold, and a peak of 275,000 streaming the game live over our superfast 4G network, more fans than ever could enjoy the action in full. Last year’s final episode has had nearly 14m views and I don’t doubt that we’ll beat that figure this year once we release the match highlights in episode eight.”
James Salmon, senior product marketing manager for EA SPORTS FIFA in the UK, said: “It’s been great to watch Spencer and Joe battle it out during the online series to win FUT Legends for their team and tonight has certainly been a lively final showdown for the two sides. Congratulations to Spencer FC and the participating FUT Legends Robert Pires, Patrick Kluivert and Jamie Carragher on their victory.”
The event is not-for-profit and ticket holders were given the chance to raise money for The Wembley Cup’s chosen charity partner - The Bobby Moore Fund – at the point of purchase and via a penalty shoot-out competition at half time during the game.
Stephanie Moore MBE, Bobby Moore Foundation said: “‘I am delighted that the Bobby Moore Fund has been the charity partner of the EE Wembley Cup this year and will benefit from the innovative ways that we have raised funds and awareness together. Throughout the partnership EE has been encouraging fans to donate to the Bobby Moore Fund when they bought their Wembley Cup tickets and their volunteers were out in force as bucket collectors at the match.
“We’ve also had the incredible opportunity to run a competition for members of the public to take penalties against Peter Schmeichel and Benny Central on match day, with our lucky winners taking to the pitch at half time to try their luck. Every pound that we have raised throughout the partnership will be spent on cutting edge bowel cancer research and help take us one step closer to finding a cure.”
The full YouTube series can be viewed on Spencer FC’s YouTube channel and on the official EE website, ee.co.uk/WembleyCup.
For more information about EE, please visit www.ee.co.uk
For more information about The FA and Wembley Stadium, please visit www.wembleystadium.com
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For more information, please contact Evren Ahmet, M&C Saatchi PR: evren.ahmet@mcsaatchi.com / ee@mcsaatchi.com
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About the Bobby Moore Fund
* The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK raises vital funds for research into bowel cancer and increases public awareness of the disease
* The Fund was set up by Stephanie Moore MBE in memory of her husband, footballer Bobby Moore, after his death from the disease in 1993, at just 51 * For more information visit www.bobbymoorefund.org * Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/officialbobbymoorefund
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