WHEN it comes to sport in Tameside and around the UK in general, the beautiful game of football is clearly the most-watched and most-followed offering around.
For fans of football, the fast-moving nature of it and the various talking points that come up during an average season make the sport such an attractive proposition. Alongside the congested fixture schedule, though, it can be tricky for fans of the sport to keep tabs on it at times. That’s where YouTube can come in handy.
The video-sharing platform offers far more than comical cat videos and bad political takes, with the football community turning to a plethora of must-watch channels throughout a typical season.
Some channels share in-depth match previews ahead of the weekend’s action, others look at the most controversial topics in the sport today, while there are podcasts on YouTube that livestream the biggest Premier League matches on a specific weekend. The options don’t end there, though, with YouTube housing a massive selection of uploads from some talented content creators.
YouTube is, therefore, a viable option for so many football lovers, especially when factoring in the demand for video-based content in the modern environment. These days, supporters don’t want to read thousands of words on the biggest encounters in the calendar, with some short videos being easier to watch and offering just as much valuable information as any long write-up can.
The options on YouTube are also impressively diverse. From channels put together by passionate fans to uploads by respected publications, there are so many enticing options for Tameside’s population of football fans to watch this season. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
Copa 90 Stories
Easily one of the finest football-related channels on the platform, Copa 90 Stories is packed full of content that is solely dedicated to the world’s biggest sport. There are must-listen interviews to watch, tactical breakdowns to inform you, series like Derby Days that follow some of the most fierce rivalries in the sport from competitions on every corner of the globe, and a whole host of other content that other channels struggle to better. For football fans with a passion for the sport in all areas, Copa 90 Stories’ plethora of videos are watchable.
The Cycling GK
A channel put together by former Manchester United, Watford, and West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, The Cycling GK is excellent. There are ref cam episodes from Foster’s playing days, training ground videos that show exactly what professional footballers get up to during the week, and interviews with current and former professionals who have plenty of stories to share. Alongside his best friend Tom, Ben Foster has created a fantastic channel here. For football fans, watching The Cycling GK’s various uploads is definitely worth doing.
The Club
Hosted by Rory Jennings, Adam McKola, and Buvey, The Club is a YouTube channel that is continually growing. Whether you’re after some hot takes or some help with your football betting, this well-followed channel is capable of providing you with everything you need. With over 200,000 subscribers at the time of writing, this Premier League-focused production is clearly doing something right. For fans with a passion for English football’s top flight, The Club is a great watch.
AFTV
If you enjoy post-match meltdowns and hilarious arguments on the sport, then you’ll probably enjoy watching AFTV at times. Focusing specifically on Arsenal, the channel has become a staple for Gunners, with founder Robbie Lyle interviewing fans before and after matches since 2012. With Mikel Arteta’s troops aiming to finally get their hands on the Premier League title for the first time since 2003-04, it’s a channel that will surely provide plenty of entertainment this season. One for Arsenal fans and football fanatics in general to watch, AFTV is a top channel on YouTube.
Football Daily
With just under 2 million subscribers at the time of writing, Football Daily is one of the biggest football channels on YouTube. Offering the latest headlines, some exclusive interviews, and a range of editorial features from the world of football, it’s a go-to channel for so many fans of the sport. Also containing debates and funny content featuring some familiar faces from some of the biggest clubs around, Football Daily’s regular uploads rarely disappoint.
Hashtag United
A non-league football club created by YouTuber, Spencer FC, Hashtag United have been climbing up the leagues since 2016. Aiming to replicate the success of teams like AFC Wimbledon, the club has a huge online following who help fund the club. They can watch every fixture live; there are matches uploaded on YouTube with behind-the-scenes footage and a range of content that allows fans to gain an insight into the runnings of this unique non-league team. For football supporters who also enjoy the charming nature of the sport outside of the Premier League, subscribing to Hashtag United’s channel might be of interest.
Away Days
As the channel’s title suggests, Away Days takes a deep dive into the away day experience. Hosted by Ellis Platten, he visits stadiums in a variety of countries to showcase the finest venues around to take in a fixture. Also offering uploads based around vintage football gear and some comical football-themed stories, Platten does a sterling job with a channel he created in 2014. These days, there is a huge community of football fans behind it, especially those who want to know about a specific away day before watching their beloved clubs in action there themselves.
Special mention must also go to The Overlap, Bleacher Report, FIFA TV, Spencer FC, Mark Goldbridge, BeIN SPORTS, Sky Sports, Tifo Football, and The Athletic FC.