Once merely amateur footballers, Jeremy Lynch and Billy Wingrove rose to fame as the F2, a football freestyling duo known for their silky skills and charisma. The pair were not just talented; they were innovators in football freestyling, turning it into a synchronized spectacle.
Their social media following swelled to the size of a small nation, and their videos began clocking up millions of views. However, as their star rose, so did the scrutiny, and the facade of camaraderie started showing cracks.
Humble Beginnings
The story began humbly. Jeremy discovered freestyling at 13, inspired by a Nike advertisement. His early life was a rollercoaster, with claims of playing in Arsenal’s Academy at 15, a point that couldn’t be confirmed by ex-Arsenal player, Fabrice Muamba. Post-Arsenal, Jeremy’s journey took him to Britain’s Got Talent, where the seed for turning freestyling into an act was sown.
On the other hand, Billy, born into a football-loving family, faced early setbacks due to his physique but found solace in football freestyling. His vision saw a market ripe for a new kind of football entertainment, and together with Jeremy, they conceptualized the F2.
Established in April 2011, their YouTube channel became a hub for skill tutorials and football challenges. The guys’ brand expanded; they were not just freestylers but entrepreneurs, managing multiple ventures from talent agencies to clothing brands.
The Wembley Cup Controversy
The first signs of discord appeared publicly during the Wembley Cup in 2018, a YouTube footballing event. A feud between Jeremy Lynch and Stephen Tries, unfolded dramatically. Lynch wasn’t too pleased about Stephen’s diss track. Subsequent YouTube videos from Spencer Owen unveiled what happened behind the scenes. Rumors about the F2’s friendship also began circulating, hinting at a possible end to their joint ventures.
Diverging Journeys
The cracks widened, and the once dynamic duo seemed to drift apart. Billy ventured into family vlogging and managing Sidemen FC in a YouTube All-Star charity game, while Jeremy dove into TikTok and YouTube, creating content for a younger audience. The differing paths revealed a stark contrast: Billy, the calm and composed half, and Jeremy, the fiery and self-absorbed counterpart.
Billy and Jeremy haven’t appeared together in a YouTube since October 2021 and the upload frequency dwindled significantly, with only 11 videos uploaded in 2022, compared to 28 and 31 in the preceding years. The decline extended to monthly views and subscriber growth, with the latter stagnating in 2023.
In more positive news, Lynch became a father and his partner Shauna Louise Lynch, had a baby boy named Leo. So, he has his hands full at the moment. Billy already has three kids and is running Rascal Clothing after buying it back from JD Sports.
Legacy and Reflection
The story of F2 is a blend of passion, camaraderie, and a subsequent falling out that left the football community with a bittersweet taste. The journey from being everyone’s favorite football freestylers to facing backlash paints a cautionary tale with online fame.
As the curtain falls on the F2 saga, one can’t help but wonder what legacy the duo leaves behind. Hopefully at some point, the two can rekindle their friendship.
