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'Football Manager success landed me chairman job'

Ewan Gawne
BBC News, Manchester
DaisyHillFC Aaron Hunt holds up a blue and black football scarf while wearing a black hoodie bearing the logo of Daisy Hill FC. He is stood outside with trees seen in the background. DaisyHillFC
Aaron Hunt was scouted after taking Daisy Hill FC through the leagues on Football Manager

A Twitch streamer whose Football Manager exploits saw him win promotion for his local lower league club said he "couldn't say no" when he was asked to run the side in real life.

Aaron Hunt, from Bolton, found fame streaming his virtual exploits with Daisy Hill FC and, as a result, was invited to the save the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) side for real after its recent financial struggles.

He was headhunted to be the club's chairman by the Cutters' manager, Lee Hill, in the hope he could replicate his virtual success.

"It's a romantic story, he took Daisy Hill through the leagues on Football Manager, so hopefully he can do that for real", Mr Hill said.

Aaron Hunt stands underneath a white sign for Daisy Hill Football club above the entrance to the clubhouse. He is wearing a woolly blue hat with clubs logo and a black hoodie.
Twitch streamer Aaron Hunt hopes to use his profile to support the club

Mr Hill said he messaged the streamer with the job offer on Instagram, writing: "Alright Daisy Hill gaffer, this is the other Daisy Hill gaffer."

The new chairman said he was "buzzing take this project on", adding he felt the club "had the potential to go far".

Daisy Hill, which play out of New Sirs on St James Street, in Westhoughton, sit 12th in the First Division North table of the NWCFL.

The club, founded in 1894, is one of the league's founding members, and has recently been under threat of folding after running into financial difficulty.

A goal-mouth scramble involving a team of players in red kits and a team in blue. A defender for the red team kicks the below away from the goal in front of the goalkeeper as players in blue rush towards them. They are playing on a grass pitch in front of some red brick homes and a conservatory.
The streamer has been tasked with reversing the 131-year-old club's financial fortunes

Mr Hunt, who has thousands of followers on social media and counts darts ace Luke Littler among his friends, said he planned to increase footfall on match days and drive sponsorship to help reverse the club's fortunes.

Other plans include trial days for prospective new players and a fundraising push to improve the pitch.

"I'll be learning on the job every day and it isn't going to happen overnight but I really think this football club has potential to go far," he said.

Daisy Hill player Jacob Riding said the streamer's involvement was "great" for the club's profile.

Mr Hunt's YouTube video unveiling his takeover was watched more than 60,000 times, while average Daisy Hill match attendances sits at about 50 people.

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