Gaming
esports
exceL: We want to shut the haters up in the LEC
excel's Kieran Holmes-Darby can't wait to prove the naysayers wrong in the LEC – and explains how he plans to do it with a roster that features rookies and veterans
Riot Games recently announced the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), a brand-new franchise-based European league that will replace the EU LCS. British esports organisation exceL are among 10 teams who have been selected by Riot to participate in the Spring Split under the new format.
exceL’s entry into the LEC was met with a mixed reception. A lot of their UK fans got behind the organisation and showed them a lot of love and support but others felt that they weren’t quite qualified to compete at such a high level.
However, Co-Founder and Managing Director of exceL, Kieran Holmes-Darby can’t wait for the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong.
Dave Harris and Kieran Holmes-Darby
© exceL
“We’re comfortable with people underestimating us and not knowing who we are at this point.
“We want to embrace being the plucky British underdogs that no one expects to achieve and just prove them wrong.
“I can sit here and say we’re going to win the whole thing but realistically speaking, we’re very happy as long as we put in a good showing and, along the way, take some of the bigger names to the line or even beat them.
“Everyone is expecting us not to do as well as the other teams, so if we can prove it to them, as they say, shut the haters up, then that’ll really set the tone for us in terms of success.”
Everyone loves the London bus, everyone loves the Queen, everyone loves everything that’s to do with the UK. We want to celebrate and embrace that.
exceL as an organisation have emphasised their goal to celebrate and promote British talent throughout the years, and they’re prepared to take that philosophy to the international stage.
“There are some amazing esports organisations in Europe that are bigger than us, and more established than us, but what is it that sets us apart? The UK just hasn’t had the right attention given to it by the esports industry, it hasn’t been targeted, but we’ve had some events this year which showed that there is a love for esports here, but it just hasn’t been fully targeted by brands.
exceL are looking to promote UK talents
© Alex Harris
“Fnatic are based in London, but they’re so global and it’s difficult for them to now regionalise. The advantage for us as a smaller organisation is that we can brand ourselves and tie ourselves to that region.
“We can do that by celebrating what is good about the UK.
“Everyone loves the UK! I mean, we do get some stick a lot of the time, but really, everyone loves it here.
“Everyone loves the London bus, everyone loves the Queen, everyone loves everything that’s to do with the UK. We want to celebrate and embrace that.”
Who will be on exceL's roster?
exceL have been quiet in terms of recruitment and announcing their roster, but Kieran revealed that the team will have a mix of experienced players as well as a few rookies.
“We’re still finalising situations all over the place, and at the moment, we are exploring Europe and Korea, but there are developments that might lead us down a different path, so it’s difficult to say at this point. But there will definitely be a focus on European and UK talent.”
The inaugural LEC Spring Split season will start on January 18th in Berlin.
