BBC
One of the UK’s most popular streamers says it’s getting harder for newcomers to make a name for themselves online.
Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, has gained millions of followers since launching his account in 2020 and is best know for playing football game EA FC.
He tells BBC Newsbeat the space is getting more “saturated” as carving out a career online is seen as a money-making option.
“More people are trying to do it. Growing up, people now want to be footballers or content creators”, he says.
Today’s top streamers can make big money from their channels through advertising, brand deals, and subscriptions.
But Morgan says it’s better to start small, and only get into streaming if it’s something you enjoy doing.
“Find a job, save up, buy the cheapest equipment out there – PC, microphone – and then be consistent and keep going no matter what people say.
“Do it as a hobby more than a job, and then hopefully you can grow from there.”
BBC Newsbeat speaks to Morgan at Red Bull’s UK HQ in Milton Keynes, where he announces that he’s joining its esports team as a player.
The brand has a host of famous faces on its roster, including F1 star Max Verstappen, Olympic gold medal climber Toby Roberts and England cricketer Ben Stokes.
For a successful streamer or well-known face, the brands you choose to partner with can generate a strong reaction from your fans.
Red Bull in particular has been criticised for its involvement in football – as recently experienced by ex-Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp when he accepted a job with the company.
Morgan says he’s expecting his to be positive about the announcement.
“Nothing will ever change me”, he says, adding that he doesn’t expect the deal to have an effect on the type of content he makes.
Morgan is no stranger to mixing the worlds of online and real-life football.
He manages Winton Wanderers Yanited FC, a grassroots under-18 club he’s taking global on his YouTube channel.
He’s known for being loud and excitable on his streams, so what kind of management style does Angryginge bring to the pitch?
“An aggressive one,” he says.
“No messing about, simple balls and hopefully just put the ball in the back of the net”.
He’s also set to manage one of the 12 teams in the upcoming Baller League .
The UK edition of the six-a-side tournament will be run by Angry Ginge’s online bestie KSI, and feature big names from streaming alongside household-name football stars.
Morgan says his team will bring “heart, soul, blood and thunder”.
“We’re gonna win”, he says, before joking: “If we don’t there’s clear bias and robbery going on”.
Some of Morgan’s fans have wondered if we could ever see streamers like him making the jump to managing Premier League teams.
“It’s never going to happen”, he says.
“If that happens I’m living in a simulation”.
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