Potential Buyers Outline Plans for Stadium Reconstruction

Individuals considering the acquisition of a non-league football club have revealed their intention to reconstruct its stadium. Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow are currently engaged in discussions regarding the acquisition of Maldon & Tiptree FC, along with its associated 20-acre stadium property. The couple, who reside in Danbury, informed BBC Essex that they have held “in depth” conversations with a television production company concerning the documentation of their ownership, should their offer be accepted. Scott Drewitt-Barlow stated, “My plan is to rebuild the stadium, rebuild the clubhouse and bring the community together.” Maldon & Tiptree competes in the eighth division of English football, having advanced to the first round proper of the FA Cup during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The Drewitt-Barlow Organisation, headquartered in Chelmsford, declared on Thursday its intention to pursue a “multi-million pound” transaction. Scott Drewitt-Barlow expressed his desire to establish a “decent football team” capable of ascending the football league structure. He conveyed to BBC Essex’s Fans’ Football Phone-In, “I want to bring in specialist people to make things work and make a huge leisure centre, a gym set-up and make it a proper football ground.” The club, an Essex-based team established in 1946, maintains strong connections with League Two club Colchester United, whose chairman, Robbie Cowling, is the owner of Maldon Stadium. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow affirmed his considerable respect for Cowling, yet asserted that the current owner had “lost focus” regarding the club. He remarked, “Right now it’s like Fawlty Towers with one man running around doing almost everything.” He continued, “It needs to have the right people in place to make it work and also to bring those supporters back in.” He added, “Otherwise, you’re going to see clubs like this close down and they’ll be gone.” Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a self-made millionaire, along with his former husband Tony, became Britain’s inaugural gay fathers in 1999, having twins via surrogacy. Subsequently, he achieved recognition through appearances on television programs including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht. The Drewitt-Barlow Organisation, identified as a real estate company, indicated its aspiration to utilize Maldon Stadium for hosting events beyond football. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow emphasized that he had no intention of constructing residential properties on the club’s premises. He further stated, “The aim is to make it – and keep it – a leisure place for the community.”