05:34Non-league superfan with autism vlogs his heart out for local English football side
James Beardwell, a well-known UK-based YouTuber and football vlogger who supports a lower league football team in Essex called DT FC, cheered on his side to a home win against Jolof Sports FC, on Saturday, at Harlow Town FC stadium.
DT FC is playing in the Essex Alliance senior division (level 7 on the football pyramid) and is currently battling for promotion. "We want to win the league as champions to get promoted to step 6,” said James, who has autism. He was seen chanting passionately for DT FC, with his fellow supporter Keigan Challis-Tarling, who often joins him at games.
Both James and Keigan have won the respect and admiration of the DT FC coaches and players who warmly welcome them as part of the football family both on social media and in real life.
DT FC’s owner and manager, who goes by the name Mr. DT FC, praised James after the match. “I’d say it’s inspiring for everyone, not just people with autism, you know, people in all walks of life,” he said, while urging more people with disabilities to come and watch DT FC’s matches. “If other people with disabilities in particular are watching this, and see this and see James, come down. Come to the club, because we’ll welcome you with open arms,” he added.
When the game ended, James and Keigan screamed in elation and celebrated their team’s win.
Since launching himself two years ago as a YouTuber James has been praised for being an inspiration to others with disabilities and for demonstrating that everyone can be a part of grassroots football.
He has also recently been awarded the British Empire Medal at the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for his work during the pandemic, where he sanitised trolleys in a local Sainsbury's supermarket.
James has gained a respectable social media following, having 3.69k YouTube subscribers, 1.108 Facebook likes and 1.654 Twitter followers.
05:34James Beardwell, a well-known UK-based YouTuber and football vlogger who supports a lower league football team in Essex called DT FC, cheered on his side to a home win against Jolof Sports FC, on Saturday, at Harlow Town FC stadium.
DT FC is playing in the Essex Alliance senior division (level 7 on the football pyramid) and is currently battling for promotion. "We want to win the league as champions to get promoted to step 6,” said James, who has autism. He was seen chanting passionately for DT FC, with his fellow supporter Keigan Challis-Tarling, who often joins him at games.
Both James and Keigan have won the respect and admiration of the DT FC coaches and players who warmly welcome them as part of the football family both on social media and in real life.
DT FC’s owner and manager, who goes by the name Mr. DT FC, praised James after the match. “I’d say it’s inspiring for everyone, not just people with autism, you know, people in all walks of life,” he said, while urging more people with disabilities to come and watch DT FC’s matches. “If other people with disabilities in particular are watching this, and see this and see James, come down. Come to the club, because we’ll welcome you with open arms,” he added.
When the game ended, James and Keigan screamed in elation and celebrated their team’s win.
Since launching himself two years ago as a YouTuber James has been praised for being an inspiration to others with disabilities and for demonstrating that everyone can be a part of grassroots football.
He has also recently been awarded the British Empire Medal at the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for his work during the pandemic, where he sanitised trolleys in a local Sainsbury's supermarket.
James has gained a respectable social media following, having 3.69k YouTube subscribers, 1.108 Facebook likes and 1.654 Twitter followers.