Maldon & Tiptree FC manager steps down

10 hours ago

Stuart WoodwardEssex

News image — Kevin Horlock had managed the club since February 2025, as well as a previous period from 2016 to 2018

PA Media Kevin Horlock, manager of Maldon & Tiptree FC, stands on a football pitch, clapping. He is wearing a black hoodie with a black gilet over the top. He has short black hair and a black beard — Kevin Horlock had managed the club since February 2025, as well as a previous period from 2016 to 2018

The manager of Maldon & Tiptree Football Club has confirmed he has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

Kevin Horlock took charge in February 2025 for the second time, after previously managing the club between 2016 and 2018.

This season, he steered the team to the first round of the FA Cup - losing to Port Vale - as well as winning the Isthmian League North Division.

His departure comes two weeks after the arrests of Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow - who have been high-profile figures since the Drewitt-Barlow Organisation took over the club.

'Commitment and dedication'

In a statement on social media, Horlock said: "Unfortunately, my time as manager of Maldon & Tiptree FC has come to an end."

He thanked staff, players and supporters for their "incredible backing", paying tribute to their "commitment, hard work and togetherness".

Reflecting on the FA Cup journey - as well as securing promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division - Horlock said: "I'll always be proud of what we achieved together as a group.

"Thank you all."

The club offered Horlock its "sincere thanks… for an incredible year" and for his "hard work, commitment and dedication".

"Everyone at the club wishes Kevin all the very best for the future," a spokesperson said, adding that the club was inviting applications for the position of first team manager.

Horlock's appointment was one of the first decisions made by the Drewitt-Barlows when they arrived at Maldon & Tiptree FC, completing a multi-million pound takeover in February 2025.

The club said some players and fans had been subjected to verbal and online abuse following the arrests earlier this month.

Barrie, 57, and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, appeared in court on 8 May accused of offences including rape and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Defence barrister Oliver Snodin said the pair "strenuously denied" the allegations.

The two men, of Southwood Close, Danbury, are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June.

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