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Isthmian League club who folded in 2023 set to rise from the ashes by new fan-run community

Isthmian League club East Thurrock United, who folded in 2023, are set to rise from the ashes by a new fan-run community.

East Thurrock United had last competed in the Isthmian League North Division, the eighth tier of English football, and played their home matches at Rookery Hill.

But the club was placed into liquidation by owner Alfie Best on the 1st of September 2023, stating that this was due to historic debts from the previous owners.

But new side East Thurrock Community Football Club have now announced they have applied for the Essex Olympian Premier Division.

However, after the liquidation of East Thurrock United, a group of volunteers have since created a new fan-run community football club called East Thurrock Community Football Club.

A spokesperson for East Thurrock Community Football Club said, as per YourThurrock: “We wanted to let fans of East Thurrock United Football Club know that we have formed an initial working group to deliver a local football club for the area.

“East Thurrock United meant so much to the local area and we will be keeping its proud history alive by committing to providing a football team for the community run by the community. The colours will proudly remain the much loved amber and black.

“Last week some members of the interim working group had a productive meeting with Alfie Best. We are working with him and he is still fully committed to providing playing facilities for a football club & youth teams.

“We are working on a detailed business plan for the club. We will make it a transparent, democratic and sustainable success. Once this has been completed we will publish it and invite everyone in the local community to attend a public meeting later this year.

“We have released an initial logo but this will be replaced in due course via a competition and a democratic vote to decide the club badge.

EAST THURROCK COMMUNITY FOOTBALL CLUB WORKING GROUP:
INTERIM CHAIRMAN – JACK DUFFIN
INTERIM VICE CHAIRMAN – JONO EDWARDS
INTERIM CLUB SECRETARY – DAVE THATCHER
INTERIM FOOTBALL SECRETARY – STEVE EDWARDS
INTERIM TREASURER – SHAUN RUDMAN

They go on to say in a series of statements since then: “Today saw the launch of an initial working group into creating a community football club after the liquidation of East Thurrock United.

“The youth teams for East Thurrock United are run by the East Thurrock United youth committee (etuyc) and operate as a separate entity to the liquidated team.

“The focus of the youth setup is to ensure the long term future of the 25 youth teams currently playing under the East Thurrock United name.

“The working group are committed to building a fan-run transparent, democratic and sustainable model for a football club in East Thurrock.

‘”The current focus of this group is to set up a first team before exploring other teams that aren’t provided to the local community.

“While both are keen to support one another, the liquidation creates uncertainty for all involved.

“This is why it is sensible for both to operate as separate parties at present.

“We wish each other all the best, up the rocks! East Thurrock United youth committee & East Thurrock Community Football Club working group.

“We have formed a working group to create a new club for our community that continues the footballing legacy of East Thurrock United.

“No one in the working group was involved in the running of East Thurrock United, we were fans that stood on the touchline and cheered the team on, just like so many others.

“Therefore we are unable to comment on what happened in the past with regards to the liquidation of East Thurrock United.

“However, there will be a statement released by Alfie in due course that will provide clarity on this and hopefully provide some closure.

“This is a completely fresh start, a club for the community, run by the community, and we would very much value your support as we embark on our journey.

“It has been a week since we announced the initial East Thurrock Community Football Club working group, thank you to everyone that has reached out and offered their support.

“We have a first draft of the business plan and this is currently being checked to make sure all of our budgets and assumptions are achievable to build a sustainable fan run football club for East Thurrock.

“We are reaching out to numerous other football teams to get their experience on best practice to put the club on the best possible footing to begin with.

“Initial talks have begun with football leagues which will decide the level we will play at during the 2024/25 season.

“We look forward to sharing the full business plan as well as the route forward together at a public meeting in November or December.

“East Thurrock Community Football Club are to apply to join the Essex Olympian Premier Division.

“Since the working group was formed last month we have been in talks with several managers, clubs and league officials to gain advice and best practices for the journey ahead.

“We have set a goal to get to the isthmian north division for the 2030/31 season where East Thurrock United were last playing.

“This gives us two seasons for each promotion that we are aiming for. This is a realistic target which helps us build a sustainable model for the community club moving forward.

“Once the plans for our playing facilities are finalised we will be sending the application to the league, which is required by march to play in 2024/25.

“The league committee will then vote on our application to join.

“Keep an eye out each week for your update with the latest news on the clubs progress. Thank you again for everyone’s continued support.”

Here’s what fans have said as the Isthmian League club who folded in 2023 are set to rise from the ashes by a new fan-run community…

@Tjw0401: Brilliant news! Hope it all goes well!

@Lee_C27: Good luck

@HTUFanzine: Good luck, hope you get it up and running soon

Micheal Mccreadie: Seriously hope you succeed and have success, as an expat now living in maldon I looked forward to our meetings with maldon and tiptree fc and heybridge swifts , hopefully we will the rocks back in top flight non league football soon

Trevor Osborne: Good luck.. rooting for you ❤️

Gary Petchey: Same here love to help if I can

Lewis Wright: I am all for it COYR ⚽️👍😊

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