Fans say owners can no longer fund football club

Fans of a non-league football club have revealed its ownership has told management and players it can "no longer afford" to fund it.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband, Scott, bought non-league Maldon & Tiptree FC, known as The Jammers, in 2025. Their son, Aspen Drewitt-Barlow, became the "sole shareholder and controlling owner".

In a statement, The Jammers Fans Association (TJFA) said it had been "made aware of communication sent by the club's owners" which said that "the current ownership can no longer afford to fund the club from this point onwards".

The BBC has asked the club for comment. Aspen Drewitt-Barlow has previously said he remained "fully committed" to its future.

Earlier this year, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and Scott, 32, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, who are accused of targeting and grooming young males, appeared in court charged with multiple offences including rape and sexual assault.

They were remanded in custody in June and are due to enter pleas to the charges in September. A provisional trial date has been fixed for 18 January.

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

Maldon & Tiptree play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football.

In Monday's statement, TJFA criticised what it described as the club's "complete lack of communication" with fans.

It added: "There appears to be very little regard for the supporters — the very people whose continued support is essential if the club is to survive.

"During the off-season, when the events surrounding the club came to light, there were only two very brief and generic communications from the owners."

TJFA said it understood the club had given management and players two options: leave the club, or remain at the club with the risk of not being paid, or being paid less.

"The club has described the latter as a 'temporary arrangement' while a new buyer is sought.

"However, to date, the owners have stated that no viable offers have been received," TJFA added.

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