Taylor Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, are enhancing Ollie Watkins’ campaign for English Premier League Player of the Season. The collaboration raises the question: Can pop culture’s influence extend into the realm of football? Swifties are rallying to elevate Watkins’ profile in the sport.
Aston Villa’s standout striker, Ollie Watkins, who is contending for English Premier League Player of the Season, is supported by an unlikely ally Taylor Swift’s fan base, the Swifties. Watkins, who impressively in 35 games scored 19 goals and 12 assists, has become the focus of a viral social media campaign initiated by a Villa fan and self-declared Swiftie on X (formerly Twitter). This campaign leverages Watkins’ appreciation for Swift, noting his routine of listening to her latest album, #TTPD, every morning.
The campaign gained momentum when Watkins’ girlfriend, Ellie Alderson, retweeted the initial post, further encouraging Swiftie’s involvement.
Villa is in a strong position for a Champions League spot, sitting in fourth place and leading Tottenham by seven points. However, Watkins faces stiff competition for the Player of the Season award from prominent players such as Phil Foden and reigning champion Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Arsenal’s standout pair Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
This is not the first instance of Swifties impacting sports outcomes. Last year, they significantly influenced the 2023 Golden Boy Web Award, where Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid emerged victorious. This vote surge followed remarks from rival Alejandro Balde of Barcelona, who publicly expressed his disdain for Swift’s music. This dramatically increased Bellingham’s support from Swift’s fans from 30% to 89%.
As the Premier League season approaches its conclusion, the question remains whether the Swifties can again make a decisive impact and help Watkins secure the prestigious title.
