MALDON & Tiptree FC’s owners have told players and management they can no longer afford to fund the club, according to the Jammers Fans Association.
The supporters’ group said it had been made aware of communication in which staff were offered the choice of leaving “with no hard feelings” or staying on under a temporary arrangement that could involve reduced or unpaid wages, while a buyer is sought.
The JFA said the club’s owners had indicated that no viable offers to buy the club had yet been received.
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Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott Drewitt-Barlow, who bought the club in 2025, are accused of targeting and grooming young males across the country between 2013 and 2026 and are currently remanded in custody, with a provisional trial date confirmed for January 18.
In a lengthy statement, the JFA claimed the ownership had failed to engage meaningfully with supporters or explore ways in which the fanbase could help to generate income and improve the club’s sustainability.
It said: “At no point — until last Wednesday — have the club’s owners sought any form of meaningful communication with the JFA, despite our repeated requests for information.
“In effect, we have been ignored. Our views, knowledge of the club and understanding of its supporters appear to have been of little or no interest to the current ownership.”
We have been made aware of communication sent by the club’s owners to the management team and players which, in summary states that the current ownership can no longer afford to fund the club from this point onwards.
Our response can be viewed here: https://t.co/FlVcynVKSD pic.twitter.com/Z4cmXaCxqR— The Jammers Fans Association (@TheJammersFA) August 24, 2026
The JFA said its first contact from the club came last Wednesday, with just 48 hours to respond to a matter it had raised.
The group described that deadline as “wholly insufficient” and said it had done little to improve an already difficult situation.
The association also claimed there had been only two “brief and generic” communications from the owners during the close season.
Supporters had initially shown empathy and respected club owner Aspen Drewitt-Barlow’s privacy, the JFA said, but added that frustration had grown amid the continuing lack of information.
GAME DAY!
See you there Jammers
Jammer's. #COYJ 🍓🍓🍓 pic.twitter.com/HbN7ytT5LY— The Jammers Fans Association (@TheJammersFA) August 22, 2026
The statement said: “There appears to be very little regard for the supporters — the very people whose continued support is essential if the club is to survive.”
It added that fans had continued to attend matches and support their local club despite the uncertainty, but said their matchday experience had been affected by issues including lengthy turnstile queues, a shortage of draught beer and other operational problems.
The JFA praised manager Mark Hawkes, his coaching staff and players for their start to the season, including Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Leatherhead.
It said the management team and squad had shown “hard work and commitment” during the early weeks of the campaign.
The JFA, established in 2021 to “build, support and promote Maldon & Tiptree Football Club”, urged the owners to work with supporters as they attempt to secure the club’s future.
It said: “If you are being truthful when you say you genuinely want Maldon & Tiptree FC to survive this extremely difficult period, then you need to start engaging with its most important asset — its supporters.
“Communicate with us. Listen to us.
“Stop taking our loyalty to this football club for granted.”
The JFA said it remained willing to work collaboratively with the club and any prospective new ownership, adding that it had volunteers, supporters and local knowledge available to help.
A request for comment has been made to Maldon & Tiptree FC.
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