GAMERS have been offered the chance to follow in Stuart McCall's footsteps by applying for a manager's job with a Bradford City eSports team.
Bradford City eSports Academy side is looking for a new boss for the forthcoming season, which kicks off on August 17.
The new person at the helm will take charge of the Bantams' second string squad for their campaign in the Virtual Pro Gaming (VPG) League. The Bantams already have a first team who play in the VPG English Premier League.
📢 : @BCAFCeSports Academy Team are looking for a manager to run the team for the new upcoming season starting on the 17th August .
— Bradford City eSports PS4 (@BCAFCeSports) August 5, 2020
- Players from last season willing to stay
If you are interested please DM us ! @AdamPatel15 @Ps4Gary1014 @FifaCrummie @OfficialVPG
The academy side play up to nine matches a week on the FIFA 20 PlayStation 4 game. Each team has 11 individual gamers who each take control of one of the player's positions on the field.
Just like the real life version, teams battle for victories and promotions through the leagues.
Both City's eSports sides have their games shown on Twitch, the video live streaming website.
Adam Patel, Bradford City eSports first team co-manager alongside London-based Gary James, says the new academy side manager will need to be experienced and ready to lead in the competitive world of gaming.
Mr Patel said: "The new manager will be in charge of a good squad for the new season. They will have to pick the best 11 players to play each match. We are looking for someone with good communication skills.
"The season lasts for about four months, but this one will be shortened as FIFA 21 is out later this year.
"The games will be played Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights and there are usually two or three games a night and each game last about 20 minutes. They usually start between 8pm to 9pm each night.
"It's not just Bradford people who play for City. We have people from around the world playing for us, including from Italy. There are quite a few players from all around the world.
It's a game but people still want to win. It's very, very competitive
"I'm a Chelsea fan who lives in Gloucester and I'm the co-manager of the Bradford City first-team. A Bradford fan did the team at the start.
"I've been to Bradford, but I've never been for a City game.
"Our first team are doing very well. We have a couple of players in the England team.
"We started the academy side last year and it gives us a chance, in the first team, to see if any of these players can play for us."
Mr Patel added eSports continues to grow in popularity as more people sign up and he says it is not just the stereotype of teenage boys who take part.
He said: "It's growing massively.
"It is not just young people playing. We have people in their 30s and 40s who have kids who are playing the games every night. It is not just for young people.
"There are girls in our teams and it is becoming more popular among female gamers.
In five to 10 years’ time eSports could be massive
To apply for the City Academy eSports job, direct message on Twitter any of the following: @AdamPatel15; @Ps4Gary1014; @FifaCrummie; @OfficialVPG
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