What's it like to be an eLion and have you got what it takes? Tom Leese explains all

Tuesday 11 Feb 2020

"No matter what you do - if you're doing it for your country - there's nothing like it" - Tom Leese

Last year we took England on the first steps into the word of esports, by hosting a competition in search of the country's first ever eLions.

Donovan 'Fnatic Tekkz' Hutchinson took the Xbox crown but there was a surprise winner in the PS4 category as 'Hashtag' Tom Leese's underdog story ended up changing his life.

Emotional scenes! 😌

Here's the moment @FUTWIZTom sealed victory to become the #eLions' official #PS4 player at this year's #FIFAeNationsCup... pic.twitter.com/dVi3xJlZ1d
— England (@England) March 14, 2019

The now 21-year-old could barely hold back the tears as his match went down to the wire and saw him save a penalty to secure his eLion status and go on to represent England at the inaugural FIFA eNations Cup, where he and Tekkz made it to the quarter-finals.

In his own words, the last year has been the "best of his life" and catapulted his career to a place he never thought possible, touring the world to play in competitions and representing his country at something he's loved ever since he can remember.

But the time has almost arrived when it's time to see if there are any worthy challengers out there for our eLionshis year’s ‘Beat the eLions’ online tournament will run on Xbox and PlayStation, with the first of two qualifiers between 2-3 March and the final qualifier running two days later between 4-5 March.

And FIFA fans based in England and aged 16 and above can now register their interest to take part^*.

So what has a year in the life of an eLion been like? We caught up with Tom ahead of the competition to find out...

"It's weird, because in football you get the call up for the national team because you are playing well and in good form but I got my call up before I even started playing well.

"It's really been since I became an eLion that my career's taken off - I was struggling before and things weren't really working out for me.

"I was nowhere near the favourite to win that but I did and now I have so much more confidence.

"Ever since then I've become a better player but it's the prestige about it as well - the first ever player to play FIFA for England - that's pretty cool for me to be able to say that.

"I finished first in the UK rankings off the back of it as well and my status is not something I am ready to let go of.

"No matter what you do - if you're doing it for your country - there's nothing like it."

Apart from representing your country, what do you enjoy most about your job?

"It's allowed me to travel the world, USA twice, Paris, Berlin, I'm off to Italy next month and that's been amazing too because it's not something everyone gets in their jobs and I don't take it for granted.

"When you take a step back and think about it and I'm telling my family that I'm being flown all over the world to play FIFA, you have to pinch yourself a bit.

For sure it is one of the best parts of the job."

Creating memories like this is why I’m playing competitive FIFA... pic.twitter.com/Y12xtK4uWc
— Tom Leese (@HashtagTom_) February 9, 2020

What advice would you give to anyone that would be interested in getting involved in esports?

"Do a bit of research, find out about the sport and you'll soon see there are a lot of similarities between what we do and normal jobs.

"Because for every person that says 'that's rubbish, it's just video games,' there are another ten people saying 'this is great' and getting right behind it.

"You need to have a progressive attitude and be forward-thinking and willing to practise and say yes to opportunities and you'll be fine."

^{^*Terms, conditions and entrance criteria apply}

By Tom Dean