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Formation Games

Football shaped thoughts and feelings on football club owners and other football things

Agency: Ace of Hearts

Description

Think you could run a football club better? New creative by independent games studio Formation Games and Ace of Hearts for CLUB game, dares the nation to prove it. Starring a returning Jeff Stelling, the show brings to life every fan’s belief that they could manage a football club better than the owners.

In "Football shaped thoughts and feelings on football club owners and other football things”, Stelling tracks down football's loudest voices and puts their opinions back to them, inviting the fans with the strongest views on club ownership to prove they could do better.

Jeff Stelling, commented: “We’re yet to see how the 2026/27 season plays out, but pre-season hasn’t disappointed - big transfers, new managers, and boardroom drama! The question is, could you do a better job of running a football club? That’s what we’re putting to the test with Club Game, where fans can prove if they can run a club better!!”.

For a long time Jeff has been the presenter fans built their Saturdays around, and his return to screens has landed as expected. Teased on his own X channel last week, here, the teaser garnered 1.5M views in the first day, and featured top in Trending. The show already has fans counting down to his comeback, with reactions including:

"This is where you belong. Wherever you are, I'll be watching like I was for almost 30 years."
"Jeff Stelling might have single-handedly saved 2026. 💪😍"

Every football fan has an opinion on their club's owners. People certain they'd have managed their club better, from manager appointments to the players that should never have been sold. Formation Games and Ace of Hearts have decided to take them up on it, offering Formation Games’ free-to-play game, CLUB, as the place they can step into an owner's shoes.

The new format sees Stelling popping up unexpectedly around the country to hear fans' hottest opinions. From there the series turns reactive, seeking out supporters with particularly strong views on how their clubs are run and putting them on the spot.

CLUB goes beyond the standard fantasy football framework. Fans build their dream club from their phone, taking control of stadium upgrades, managing transfers and loans, investing in backroom staff and designing the club crest, with their side scoring points based on real players' performances. Football ownership has never been more of a talking point, from Wrexham's Hollywood fairytale to KSI's recent involvement at Dagenham & Redbridge, which CLUB sponsors this season. CLUB simply gives fans at home the chance to have a go themselves.

Throughout the Premier League and after, Ace of Hearts and Formation Games will keep the conversation running, reporting back on fans' thoughts and feelings on club ownership through a steady stream of content across social and contextual OOH.

This professional campaign titled 'Football shaped thoughts and feelings on football club owners and other football things' was published in United Kingdom in August, 2026. It was created for the brand: Formation Games, by ad agency: Ace of Hearts. This Film and Integrated media campaign is related to the Gaming industry and contains 1 media asset. It was submitted 7 minutes ago.

Credits

Client: Formation Games
Tom Russell, Co-Founder & CMO
Alex Horne, Co-Founder & Chairman
Joe Lightfoot, Content Manager
Matt Solomons, Marketing Coordinator

Creative Agency: Ace of Hearts
Polly McMorrow, Co-Founder & CEO
Richard Brim, Co-Founder & CCO
Martin Beverley, Co-Founder & CSO
Rasmus Smith Bech, Executive Creative Director & Partner
Matteo Alabiso, Creative Director of Design
Mia Silverman, Senior Creative
Nick Exford, Strategy Lead
Rebecca Hunter-Mannering, Executive Producer
Alex Coupe, Account Manager
Clementine Cuthbertson, Director of Communications & Culture
Nikki Cramphorn, Director of Production @ Chuckles Studios

Production: several, below.

Minds Eye
Mike Upson, Director
Debbie Ninnis, Executive Producer
Gareth Crothers, Producer

Stitch
Jack Singer, Editor
Maggie McDermott, Producer

1920
Chris Aldred, VFX Supervisor
Jamie Stitson, VFX Supervisor
Oliver Banks-Thompson - Colourist
Charley Rowland, Producer

Run Amok Audio
Jon Clarke, Sound Designer
Caroline Jemirifo, Executive Producer

Talent
Jeff Stelling - Lunar Talent

Business Affairs - Sarah Brown @ Chuckles Studios
Legal - Tom Campbell @ Makers Counsel

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