Maldon & Tiptree FC fans push for 'urgent' sale of club amid owners' sex trafficking trial
- Ben Shahrabi
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
FANS of Maldon & Tiptree Football Club are pushing for the club to be sold "urgently", after the co-owners were charged with further sexual offences amid a major police investigation.
It comes as four men involved with the ownership of the club have been arrested and charged.
Essex Police confirmed yesterday (June 22) that Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow had been charged with 18 additional offences.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, has been charged with 15 further offences, including two offences of sexual activity with a child and two counts of paying for sexual services of a child.
He and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, aged 32, Richard Howard-Smith, aged 35, and Eldred Reames, aged 24, were arrested following a series of raids last month.
This afternoon (June 23), the Jammers Fans Association (JFA) announced it would formally request the club is sold "at the earliest opportunity".
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Following our Annual General Meeting on Monday 22 June, our members have voted in favour for the JFA to request for an urgent sale of Maldon & Tiptree Football Club.
"Whilst we are led to believe the football club is not actively for sale, the JFA has today written to the registered owner, Aspen Drewitt-Barlow.
"We have requested the sale of the football club at the earliest opportunity and have requested a response within seven days, setting out a plan for the sale and how the club intends to keep supporters informed."
Members have committed to assisting with the sale, "not excluding a fan-led consortium".
The JFA is an independent group formed by supporters of Maldon & Tiptree Football Club in November 2021.
It regularly holds charity events and fundraisers for local causes such as Home-Start, while also promoting the club.
The JFA extended its thoughts to those impacted by the ongoing criminal investigation and acknowledged the further charges confirmed by Essex Police.
A spokesperson added: "We understand that many of our members will be feeling shocked, saddened and upset.
"At times like this, it’s important to remember that the JFA is more than just an independent supporters’ association. We are a community, and we will stand together to support one another in any way we can.
"Should our members feel the need to reach out, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our social media channels or by emailing contact@thejammersfa.co.uk."
Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday and were remanded in custody. They will return for a plea hearing in September.
A provisional trial date has been fixed for 18 January 2027.
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