- Jack Fealy
- 20 May 2021
From online to Wembley - Hashtag United's iconic moments so far
Although Hashtag United's history is brief, The Tags have already gathered up a number of iconic and successful moments since their creation in 2016.
Jay Devereux is an English football manager, currently in charge of Hashtag United, an Essex Senior League team in the non-league pyramid.
Devereux was previously at East Thurrock United as John Coventry's assistant, but became manager of 'The Tags' as the semi-professional joined the Eastern Counties League Division One South.
Since then, the Hashtag manager has made big strides in his early career with the club, achieving promotion to the Essex Senior League.
East Thurrock United
Before his move to East Thurrock, 'Devs' managed Dagenham & Redbridge reserves and Redbridge football club.
However, the Englishman joined the Isthmian Football League side in 2010, and in that season achieved league success as Thurrock won the Division One North title.
Promotion to the Premier Division wasn't the only success the assistant manager would have at the Stanford.
In the 2011/12 season, Devereux and Thurrock reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, where they lost 3-0 to Macclesfield Town. 'Devs' and Thurrock would go on to reach the first round again in 2014/15, losing to Hartlepool United.
East Thurrock's Players walk onto the pitch before the FA Cup, First Round match at Rookery Hill Stadium, Essex.
As well as FA Cup success, East Thurrock achieved further domestic glory, achieving a play-off victory in the 2015/16 season. A 2-0 win against Tonbridge Angels sent them to the final where they grasped promotion to the National League South with a 3-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet.
While Devereux assisted manager John Coventry at East Thurrock they had plenty of success stories. However 'Devs' would achieve even more away from Thurrock.
Hashtag Dream
Although Devereux left East Thurrock to spend more time with his family, he couldn't turn down the opportunity to become manager of internet sensation side Hashtag United.
The manager joined the Essex side ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, Hashtag's first season in the Football League system.
And although 'The Tags' lost their first ever league match, Devereux and his side went on to do the unthinkable.
They won the Division One South title, earning promotion into the Essex Senior League in their first season.
I love this 🙌🏻 https://t.co/bXbcbH1v61
— Jay Devereux (@devs76) April 18, 2019
The Hashtag boss was looking likely to achieve Essex Senior League success in the 2019/20 season. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Essex Senior League was voided.
Hashtag United were second, a point behind the leaders with three games in hand.
Once the football had been given the greenlight for the 2020/21 season, 'Devs' and his side went on a spectacular FA Cup run.
After beating Park View and Felixstowe and Walton in the Preliminary rounds, Hashtag faced Soham Town Rangers in the first qualifying round, live on the BBC.
An 84th minute equaliser and a winning spot kick from Jesse Waller-Lassen sent the Essex side into a historic second qualifying fixture against Braintree Town.
A dramatic 90th minute goal from Toby Aromolaran wasn't enough to keep the dream alive, as a 91st minute equaliser from Braintree took the game to penalties where Hashtag fell.
Toby Aromolaran of Hashtag United celebrates his goal during FA Cup Qualifying - Second Round between Hashtag United and Braintree Town at The Len Salmon Stadium, Bowers and Pitsea FC, Pitsea, UK on 03rd October 2020 (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)
Although Devereux couldn't repeat FA Cup history as he did with East Thurrock, it was still a massive achievement for 'The Tags'.
Personal life
Jay Devereux has a wife, Nat, and two children, Ellis and Mae.
The Hashtag boss also supports Premier League side West Ham United.
Net worth
Jay Devereux's net worth is unknown.