KSI to stream Dagenham game on YouTube channel

By Ben Ashton BBC Sport England

Content creator KSI will live stream Dagenham & Redbridge's National League South fixture with Hampton & Richmond on his YouTube channel this weekend.

The 32-year-old, who has 17.6m YouTube subscribers and bought a minority stake in the Daggers in March, will broadcast the game for free at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, 28 March.

It will be the first time a National League match has been streamed live on YouTube in this way and will "open the doors of non-league football to a truly global audience", the league said.

"Streaming this game in this way is a landmark moment, not only for the National League but also for the wider non-league game," said National League CEO Phil Alexander.

"Partnering with DAZN and tapping into KSI's global audience gives us a unique chance to showcase what makes this level of football so special."

London-born KSI, whose name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, wrote on his Instagram story: "This is gonna be a movie. See you this Saturday."

Dagenham, who were relegated to the sixth tier last season, are 12th in National League South and six points behind the play-off places, while Hampton & Richmond are 18th.

Daggers chief commercial officer John Grabowski described it as a "hugely exciting opportunity" and "powerful statement of intent".

"We want to make history on 28 March, not just in terms of viewership but also in how non-league football can be seen, shared and celebrated around the world," he said.

KSI said earlier this month he wants to bring the east London club "back to the glory days" and dreams of one day reaching the Premier League.

"I believe it is 100% doable," he said. "It will take a long time - so to the Daggers fans, please be patient.

"I want you to know that I am fully committed to making sure Dagenham & Redbridge is a team that everyone will know worldwide and will be an exciting team to watch and support."