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Sad day for English football with 8th tier club to FOLD senior team as chairman makes apology

It is a sad day for English football with 8th tier club East Thurrock United to FOLD their senior team as the chairman makes an apology.

The team currently sit 11th in the Isthmian League Division One North, but now it has been confirmed that they will shut down and withdraw from the division.

The decision to fold was made by sole director Gary Brownlie after holding a consultation with owner Alfie Best, a multi-millionaire who came in as successor to the late long-time owner Bennie Bennett.

Exciting plans were put in place, including building a new stadium, however, nothing came to fruition.

Gary Brownlie said to Thurrock Nub News this week that he would be closing down the club’s operating company because of ‘historic debt’.

Club chairman, Steve Wiseman, said: “On behalf of the East Thurrock United Football Club committee I would like to express my deepest regrets with the news that has been shared today in relation to the future of East Thurrock United Football Club.

“Following the death of Ben Bennett a few of us stepped up to ensure the football club continued to function however with the benefit of hindsight, we were not aware of the magnitude of the task in hand.

“The club director has made this decision due to historical debts accrued by the club prior to the new management team taking control. Whilst I am incredibly disappointed by this I understand why he has made this decision.

“I would like to express my thanks to Steve Butterworth and his management team who has been outstanding this season in the most difficult of circumstances. I think all would agree the football we have played this season has been extremely enjoyable to watch.

“Whilst this is the end of senior football at East Thurrock United for this season, we are delighted and relieved that the director has agreed the youth teams and Basildon Town can continue playing at the club as they have been for the foreseeable future. I hope that these children become the future of this great club.

“My final thank you is to the fans. You have been the heartbeat of this club for many years and I am sorry we were unable to do more to keep this great club going.”

CLUB STATEMENT (VIA TWITTER)

As promised, the update from my last statement. It is with great sorrow and deep regret that I must share the following information with you all. On Sunday 27th August 2023, an emergency meeting was held at East Thurrock Football Club with our club’s Sole Director and Shareholder of East Thurrock 2009 Ltd, who are the parent company under which East Thurrock United FC operate under.

At this meeting our director advised us that East Thurrock 2009 Ltd was to be placed into liquidation, because of this East Thurrock Football Club (first team only) would no longer be able to function in its current capacity.

The club director made this decision due to historical debts accrued by the club prior to the new owners taking control, whilst I am absolutely devastated by this as we have no control. I understand why the decision was made.

Unfortunately, this is the end of senior football at East Thurrock United for this season. We are delighted and relieved that the director has agreed that the youth teams with over 300 children currently playing under the East Thurrock name, and Basildon Town can continue playing at the as they have been for the foreseeable future. These children are the backbone and future of this great club. I would also like to express my thanks to Steve Butterworth and his management team who have been outstanding since taking over last season, they had started to build what looked a very promising side and a delight to watch.

My final thank you is to the fans. You have been the heartbeat of this great club for years, and I am sorry we were unable to do more to keep this great club. Steve Wiseman, Chairman.

Fans reacted on what is a sad day for English football with 8th tier club East Thurrock United to FOLD their senior team as the chairman makes an apology…

@CLRef14: Wow! That’s beyond a shame. Many happy memories gone to dust 😢

@jack_pittman96: RIP East Thurrock. Enjoyed watching Grays play their home games there in 2010-2012.

@RickyTakka: Thurrock gone now East Thurrock 😔

@davedelz: Madness! Just shows the fragility of some non-league clubs and that perhaps the dough flying around non-league isn’t actually as sustainable as some may think…

@Basildonred: Well this is sad news. Not surprised though with that owner of theirs. We all knew why he purchased the club in the first place

@TerryDRFC: So Alfie Best originally flew in by his private helicopter. Promised large cash injection to the club. Us locals knew he only bought the site to build Park Homes on when the time was right. Tosser.

@burns_and: Absolutely gutted it’s come to this so many great memories, all the great people over the years putting in all the hard work to keep the club going for FREE!!!! just for it to end like this.

@deanremblance: What a shame

@StCleresLions: Terrible news this. Brilliant local club. I had a great season there, meet some blinding people. Such a shame for the local community ☹️

@Jonoed97: 😢😢 my club just gone.. 25 years, walking, buses, trains, driving, coaches miles and miles all over the country. And gone in 4 days. We played Monday 😭 feel sorry for all the fans and volunteers that make non-league clubs great. There’s a few good players going spare now!

@LeeScourfield: Such sad news to hear East Thurrock United is to fold.

@sammyknott: What a club this once was, feel for everyone that put so much work in over the years. The club meant so much to so many and still does 💛🖤 @1EastThurrockFC

@BazUtd: That is so sad to see, a great club with unbelievable history, very sad for non league football

@Garry10Johnson: Sad news for the club, world of football as we knew it has gone 🙌🏻

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