Remember how Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney turned Wrexham into the hottest story in football? Well, British YouTuber KSI is taking a page from their playbook. The influencer and Britain's Got Talent judge just bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge, a struggling club in the sixth tier of English football.
And yes, there's going to be a documentary series about it. Called "Race to the Top," the show will follow KSI's journey as the new owner of the Daggers. It's basically the YouTube version of "Welcome to Wrexham."
Here's the ambitious part: KSI wants to take this sixth-tier club all the way to the Premier League. That's a massive climb through multiple divisions. For context, Wrexham was in the fifth tier when Reynolds bought them, so KSI's starting one level lower.
What to Expect From the Documentary
The series launches this summer on KSI's YouTube channel, which has 17 million subscribers. It'll be promoted across his social media accounts that reach a combined 33.5 million people. That's some serious exposure for a National League South club.
"Race to the Top" will show everything from boardroom meetings to fan reactions. The cameras will capture the day-to-day struggles of running a non-league club. It's being directed by Ben Doyle, who also made KSI's boxing documentary "KSI: Can't Lose."
Production is already underway and continues this Saturday when KSI attends his first match as owner against Dorking Wanderers. The series will run into the 2026-27 season and be dubbed into 14 languages worldwide.
What This Means for Dagenham
For Dagenham & Redbridge, this takeover brings massive publicity. The club's profile will skyrocket with KSI's involvement and the documentary series. That could mean more fans, better sponsorship deals, and increased revenue.
But let's be realistic about the Premier League dream. Climbing from the sixth tier to the top division would require five consecutive promotions. Even with celebrity backing and YouTube fame, that's an incredibly difficult challenge. Wrexham has taken three seasons just to reach League One from the fifth tier.
Still, the exposure alone makes this a win for the club. And for football fans and bettors, Dagenham's matches just became a lot more interesting to follow. Don't be surprised if their odds shorten for promotion as investment and attention flow into the club.
