Consortium working to try saving football club

A beleaguered football club said a business consortium was putting together a plan to save it from the prospect of collapse.

Last week, fans of Maldon and Tiptree FC in Essex said the club's representatives had told them they intended to wind up its affairs.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and husband Scott Drewitt-Barlow, who bought the club in 2025, are in custody awaiting trial accused of multiple offences including rape and sexual assault.

On Friday, the club posted on X telling fans that "local business people" had been working for "some time" on a proposed investment into the club.

"We remain extremely committed to securing the club's future and are continuing to work constructively with all relevant stakeholders to reach a conclusion," a spokesperson said.

"Given the sensitivity of the situation we are unable to comment on the detail of the discussions at this stage, but our intention is very clear: To secure a sustainable future for the club and protect its place at the heart of the community."

At the end of August, the Jammers Fans Association was told "the current ownership can no longer afford to fund the club from this point onwards".

The sole shareholder and controlling owner is Barrie's son, Aspen Drewitt-Barlow.

The senior men's team has played four Isthmian football league matches this season, but its bank holiday games were postponed.

Fans also launched an online crowdfunding appeal trying to raise money to go towards a "potential takeover" or to support "a possible phoenix club".

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, are due to enter pleas to the various charges later this month. A provisional trial date has been fixed for 18 January.

Their defence barrister, Oliver Snodin, said the pair "strenuously denied" the allegations.

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