Four football enthusiasts, including a former Brockenhurst student, have created an app that has amassed more than 14 million online impressions.

The app, Nine98, is named after the 99.8 per cent of amateur players who never make it to the professional level.

It allows players to log their statistics in an 'honours system' style and connect through social networking and jersey swaps.

In a modern twist on football sticker or trading card swapping, users can exchange and collect virtual jerseys from fellow members and unlock features such as badges, patterns and logos to upgrade their own shirt.

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Key players at Nine98 are pictured from left, Julian Hirsh, Adam Dickens, Jordy Coltman, and Andrew WangKey players at Nine98 are pictured from left, Julian Hirsh, Adam Dickens, Jordy Coltman, and Andrew Wang (Image: James Tourgout of Deep South Media) The app also allows users to arrange physical games and meet-ups.

Nine98 has rolled out an alpha version of the app for trialling by 11,000 users worldwide, selected from a waiting list that attracted 14 million page impressions on social media.

Their early 'comment for access' product posts garnered nearly 50,000 comments from users around the world.

The four co-founders of Nine98 are chief executive officer Julian Hirsh, chief product officer Jordy Coltman, director of partnerships Joshua Murphy and chief strategy officer Andrew Wang.

Jordy, 27, a former student at the Grange School in Christchurch, Dorset, and Brockenhurst College, said: "All four of us have played at a good level but, like 99.8 per cent of players, never made it pro yet still retain a massive love for the game.

"We aim to solve the loneliness culture in football in an innovative way by giving new generations the ability to connect, exchange, and collect virtual shirts – just like they would have done with stickers or trading cards."

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Andrew said: "Millions of pounds are already spent every year on funding experiences and merchandise for fans of famous clubs.

"We’re all supporters, and English supporters are the best in the world, but it’s time to do something for the athletes among us."

Nine98 is aimed at players aged 12 and above.

Shirts can be swapped through QR codes post-game, or members can simply join in the fun of jersey collecting and unlocking upgrades for their shirts.

Visit nine98.io or @nine98football on Instagram for more information and to sign up.