With the backing of a number of clubs and former FA Chairman David Bernstein, Vanarama is driving a campaign to get the National League featured in FIFA 20.
Each year fans of the league call out on social media for English football’s fifth tier to be included in the game, with EA Sports showing clear motives for expansion after the inclusion of the Chinese Super League in its latest edition.
The Chinese Super League is home to some of the world’s richest clubs with some of the shortest histories, and as any of the National League’s tens of thousands of fans will tell make you aware, you just can’t buy the magic of a Tuesday night away in drizzly Dover.
This season the appetite for The Vanarama National League has been bigger than ever with an average attendance of 46,811 across the league each week, and select games shown live on BT Sport. The demand is there, and thousands are expected to sign the petition that calls for EA Sports to finally put proper football in the much-loved video game.
Andy Alderson, CEO and Co-Founder at Vanarama commented: “We love being involved in non-league football. Its proper football, with proper fans. The Vanarama National League is growing year on year and deserves to be recognised in FIFA 20. EA Sports need to stand up and take note and give the best fans in world football what they want. If it’s in the game, it’s in the game – come on EA live by your mantra.”
David Bernstein, Former FA Chairman emphasised the importance of any potential inclusion to the league: “This campaign when successful will make a real commercial difference to the financial challenges facing non-league football – in addition to putting a smile on the faces of some of the most devoted fans in the world.”
Michael Tattersall, CEO at The National League also stated: “There’s no other league quite like the National League. We support Vanarama with its endeavours and think it’d be great if every National League fan had the opportunity to help their club qualify for the Champions League, even if it’s just in the game.”
Jamie Collins, Sutton United Captain added: “I’d love it if our fans were able to play as me and help me nod in the winner against Man City at Wembley. The campaign is a great idea, it’s about time real football got in the game.”
