JAY Devereux is relishing the unique pressure being manager of Hashtag United brings.

The Essex Senior League side, who play their home games at Bowers & Pitsea’s Len Salmon Stadium, boast an unbelievable online following.

But Devereux is loving every part of his involvement alongside the club’s creator Spencer Owen, having previously been ground down by a more traditional approach.

“I had met Spencer before when his dad was physio at East Thurrock when I was there too but when we spoke about coming to Hashtag my initial reaction was that I wouldn’t be interested,” said Devereux.

“I’d just come from a club who were playing in National League South so it was a quite a drop but I said I was happy to help out and put some sessions on.

“But I came in and I was hooked by the enthusiasm, their ideas and freshness.

“It was different and new and I just thought why not.

“I had grown tired of the traditional non league and it was why I was having a break.

“But this is a club like no other and I love being here now, it’s so enjoyable.”

Devereux has now been involved with non-league football for more than 25 years.

And he is keen to help Hashtag be taken seriously.

“People think it’s a gimmick but it’s really not,” said Devereux.

“We do things properly and we have good people working for us too.

“It’s been going well but we want to be established in the non league game so there will be tough times but we will need to experience them to grow. “ However, Hashtag have won five of their six league games so far this season and currently sit second in the standings, much to the delight of their huge fanbase.

“The followers we’ve got online compete with teams in the Premier League,” said Devereux.

“We’ve got half a million YouTube followers and I think our YouTube views put us in the top 10 in Britain.

“It’s ridiculous really and there’s a different kind of pressure but it’s fun.”

Devereux has now been with the club for close to three years but he does not know what the future will bring.

“I don’t know how far I can take it and I don’t know how far the owners can take it either,” said Devereux.

“There’s a model there that could take it anywhere but we’re just enjoying it at the moment and it’s a good time to be involved in the club too.”