Hashtag United have announced that they will have a new home ground from next season. Parkside, Aveley, will be the new venue for the Isthmian League Premier Division side's home matches.
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We have a NEW HOME for 2024/25! 🏟
After four memorable years at the Len Salmon, we have made the decision to move to @AveleyFC meaning that, for the first time, we will play at the same ground as @hashtagutdwomen! 🙌
Read more including what @SpencerOwen had to say here 🔗
— Hashtag United (@hashtagutd) February 28, 2024
Origins of Hashtag United
The club was founded by YouTuber Spencer Carmichael-Brown in 2016, and he remains the owner. On their website, Hashtag describe themselves as a “one-of-a-kind football club”, who have already achieved four promotions for the men's team during their short history.
They have played their home matches at three different venues since 2016. Originally, the Tags played at Coles Park Stadium, before moving to Tilbury’s Chadfields in 2019. Since March 2020, the club have played at Len Salmon Stadium, which is the home of Bowers & Pitsea. After four years at this stadium, Hashtag United will now move to Parkside, Aveley.
The agreement will involve groundsharing with National League South side Aveley, who play in the step above Hashtag United in the non-league.
Joining the Women’s team
Since 2020/21 Hashtag United Women’s team have played their home matches at Parkside, Aveley.
In a club statement, Hashtag United said: “Firstly, we’d like to put on record our thanks to Bowers & Pitsea for hosting us, especially Darren Scorey who has been so helpful to us over the years, particularly with our random media requests! We’ve made some lifelong memories there and there’ll always be a part of our heart in Pitsea.
We'd like to thank Darren Scorey and everyone else at @Bowerspitseafc for helping us to create some incredible memories over the course of our time there, including a league title, 2 promotions & who could forget our memorable FA Cup run!? 🏆
With that said we can't wait to… https://t.co/pGzrGP1o04 pic.twitter.com/E5C3p7pi5V
— Hashtag United (@hashtagutd) February 28, 2024
“However, since we merged with the women’s side of the club the plan was always to bring the two teams closer together and now that the opportunity has arisen, we’ve decided to make the move.
“Our women have been happy and successful there for two seasons and the time felt right to bring the men over to join them. Aveley are investing heavily in the stadium as the men continue to compete in the National League South, and we’re happy to support their ambition by joining them.”
As mentioned above, the move to the new stadium means that Hashtag United will ground share with Aveley. Aveley's CEO, Craig Johson, expressed the importance of the relationship they had built with the Hashtag Women’s team in recent years.
He said: “We have had a great relationship with Hashtag Women, over the last 2 seasons and we are delighted that the men have decided to join them at our home. With the current ground improvements happening at Parkside, it will allow both Hashtag Men and Women to progress within their respective football pyramid. We look forward to welcoming them in the summer.”
Reaction from Hashtag United chairman Spencer Carmichael-Brown
Carmichael-Brown declared his excitement at the stadium move and its potential positive impact on the local community.
Carmichael-Brown said: “We are really looking forward to unifying both our senior teams at Aveley from the start of the 24/25 season. We’ve had a great time at Bowers and I sincerely thank them for all they’ve done for us. We also understand some of our fans may have to travel further to get to Aveley but we really hope they can join us at Parkside.
“This move has been thoroughly thought through and assessed by our committee and we believe it fits the future ambition of the club whilst also providing our teams with a top quality facility. The ground itself is also very accessible to any London or Kent based fans, as well as Essex of course. It’s also the longest term ground-share agreement we’ve ever signed and we hope it allows us to put down some roots in the local community.”
How are Hashtag United performing on the pitch?
After the club's promotion from the Isthmian League North Division in the 2022/23 season, Hashtag United fared well in the Isthmian League Premier Division, finishing 13th out of 22 teams.
The club have now departed the Len Salmon Stadium and have gone to Parkside, Aveley, to join the Women’s team.
On the club website, Hashtag United said: “The 23-24 season saw us finish a respectable 13th position, almost exactly mid-table, in our first season at the level. Now with our new home at Aveley FC’s Parkside, alongside some strong additions to our squad let’s hope that this season is one to remember..!”
So far in the 2024/25 campaign, they have played two games at their new home facility, winning one and losing one. The victory was against Brentwood Town in the Thames-Side Trophy, before they lost their opening league match against Cray Wanderers by two goals to nil. After only three games, they lie 17th in the table.
THAT MATCHDAY FEELING AGAIN! 🥳
After what feels like an eternity, WE ARE BACK 🙌 We kick-off the new season at our new home – Parkside 🏟️ at 3pm against @teniolatime & @OfficialWands 👀
Safe travels to anyone making the journey, we’ll see you later 🫡 https://t.co/Tj20VC7zzj pic.twitter.com/zw785z6wnR
— Hashtag United (@hashtagutd) August 10, 2024