Maldon & Tiptree FC bought by Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow
Britain's first gay father and his partner have finalised a "multi-million pound" takeover of a football club.Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow acquired Maldon & Tiptree FC and its 20-acre stadium site on Wednesday.The couple, from Danbury, Essex, said they wanted to bring "joy and brighter days" to the Jammers, who play in the eighth tier of English football.In a statement on X, the Isthmian League North Division side also announced recently departed Needham Market boss Kevin Horlock as its new manager.
The club added it wanted to make "every person in the area proud" of its team.Self-made millionaire Barrie runs the Chelmsford-based real estate firm Drewitt-Barlow Organisation.Alongside his ex-husband Tony, he became Britain's first gay dad in 1999 when the couple fathered twins through surrogacy.Money involved in the football takeover deal was not disclosed, although Barrie Drewitt-Barlow previously said he tabled a "multi-million pound" offer.
Richard Cowling was the incumbent Jammers owner, with the ground belonging to his brother Robbie - the owner of League Two outfit Colchester United.However, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow told the BBC in December the Cowlings had "lost focus" on Maldon & Tiptree.Speaking after the takeover was completed, the Drewitt-Barlows said: "We're here as local people who want to give back to our local community and hopefully bring joy and brighter days to our football club."The couple said they wanted to have a "long stewardship" of the club, founded in 1946.Despite its lower league status, the Jammers have enjoyed FA Cup success in recent years, reaching the first round proper in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.Barrie Drewitt-Barlow also gained fame by appearing on television shows such as Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.The businessman has already outlined ambitions to rebuild the stadium and clubhouse.He stressed there was no plan to build houses on the club's land.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
32 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Matthew Goode recalls 'heady days' at Glasgow unions
English actor Matthew Goode plays Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck in Dept. Q - the latest gritty Netflix drama which is gripping viewers. READ NEXT: Football fans warned ahead of Scotland v Iceland at Hampden Park (Image: Matthew Goode arrives for the special screening of Netflix's Dept Q. Photo credit: Ian West/PA Wire) The show, which is based on the novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, follows flawed-but-excellent detective Carl Morck (Goode), who after a traumatic shootout that killed a cop and paralysed his partner, returns to work to find that he's been assigned to a new department. The show, which also stars Trainspotting's Kelly Macdonald, moves from Copenhagen to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, and is directed and written by multiaward-winning Scott Frank. READ NEXT: Theatre chief quits months after Scottish Government funding row Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Goode said: "My brother used to go to Glasgow University, so I spent quite a hefty amount of time going back and forth and when I went up to Scotland I was going, 'I wish I'd come here instead'. "There were two unions there and my brother used to go to the Sports Union. I think they had the Hive nightclub attached to it. "He met me, after about 10 pints, and he went off and did an exam. Those were the heady days." Speaking in a brilliant Glasgow accent, the actor added: "There was another place where we'd end up eating cheesy chips." Fans of the actor flocked to the social media video to share their joy at Goode's memories of the city and his spot-on accent. One person said: "Wow, brilliant Glaswegian accent and absolutely loved Dept Q." Another said: "Matthew Goode knowing The Hive was not on my bingo card."
Glasgow Times
40 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Russell Martin can transform Rangers as ex-owner loves him
And to this day, the ex-MK Dons owner insists he loves Martin dearly for the work he did at his beloved club. Winkelman gave the Rangers managerial candidate his big break in management in the English lower leagues. The 39-year-old had the Dons playing free-flowing football and quickly attracted the attentions of Swansea. But it wasn't just what he delivered on the pitch. His old boss says he brought the whole club together as his impact went beyond just the training pitch and a game on a Saturday. Winkelman told the Scottish Sun: "I love the man. I wish him every success. Read more: On-loan Rangers star makes Ibrox admission as future remains unclear European side consider Rangers coach as next manager and launch 'enquiry' 'He will bring a hell of a lot to Rangers. It won't just be a little tweak here or there to what happens on the pitch. 'Throughout the club, he'll get everyone together. 'Russ has an understanding of the whole club, and great knowledge of how all the parts come together. 'It's not just about coaching for him, he understands how the club all fits. 'This is probably the kind of talk that impressed the Rangers bosses in his interview. 'You need that understanding if you're competing at the top of the Premiership. It's as tough as it can be. 'I'll be thrilled for him if he gets the job. I'll be excited to see what he can do. 'Rangers will certainly be an attractive team to watch if Russ gets the job. 'I'll be watching for Rangers' results now. You tend to do that with people you really like.' Winkelman once appointed Roberto Di Matteo, who went onto win the Champions League with Chelsea, and former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince. He holds Martin in similar regard, adding: 'Russ was one of the best appointments I made, and I like to think I made a few. 'I gave Roberto Di Matteo his first job, and he ended up winning the Champions League with Chelsea. 'I gave Paul Ince his second job in management and that went well, too. 'I'm quite pleased with my track record in appointing managers.
The National
42 minutes ago
- The National
Russell Martin can transform Rangers as ex-owner loves him
And to this day, the ex-MK Dons owner insists he loves Martin dearly for the work he did at his beloved club. Winkelman gave the Rangers managerial candidate his big break in management in the English lower leagues. The 39-year-old had the Dons playing free-flowing football and quickly attracted the attentions of Swansea. But it wasn't just what he delivered on the pitch. His old boss says he brought the whole club together as his impact went beyond just the training pitch and a game on a Saturday. Winkelman told the Scottish Sun: "I love the man. I wish him every success. Read more: On-loan Rangers star makes Ibrox admission as future remains unclear European side consider Rangers coach as next manager and launch 'enquiry' 'He will bring a hell of a lot to Rangers. It won't just be a little tweak here or there to what happens on the pitch. 'Throughout the club, he'll get everyone together. 'Russ has an understanding of the whole club, and great knowledge of how all the parts come together. 'It's not just about coaching for him, he understands how the club all fits. 'This is probably the kind of talk that impressed the Rangers bosses in his interview. 'You need that understanding if you're competing at the top of the Premiership. It's as tough as it can be. 'I'll be thrilled for him if he gets the job. I'll be excited to see what he can do. 'Rangers will certainly be an attractive team to watch if Russ gets the job. 'I'll be watching for Rangers' results now. You tend to do that with people you really like.' Winkelman once appointed Roberto Di Matteo, who went onto win the Champions League with Chelsea, and former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince. He holds Martin in similar regard, adding: 'Russ was one of the best appointments I made, and I like to think I made a few. 'I gave Roberto Di Matteo his first job, and he ended up winning the Champions League with Chelsea. 'I gave Paul Ince his second job in management and that went well, too. 'I'm quite pleased with my track record in appointing managers.
