New ownership announced at troubled football club

A football club that started the season faced with financial uncertainty has announced its under new ownership.

A spokesperson for the new ownership group said it was "delighted" to have acquired non-league Maldon and Tiptree FC in Essex.

"We are not arriving with promises of overnight transformation. We are here to listen, to work, and to build sustainably," they added.

Last month, supporters were told that the previous owner, Aspen Drewitt-Barlow, could no longer afford to fund it.

A spokesperson said the new owners were Sonny Shahnawaz, S Miah, I Furtado and Jamil Trofder.

They are entirely independent of the previous ownership, the club has said.

Local businessman Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who is Aspen's father, and Barrie's husband Scott Drewitt-Barlow, bought the club in February 2025.

The investors promised "joy and brighter days" for the Jammers.

They subsequently signed some well-known footballers, including former West Ham United striker Freddie Sears, and the men's first team were promoted last year to the Isthmian Premier League.

They have played four league matches this season, but two of their matches were recently postponed.

In a statement posted on X, the new ownership group said it wanted local people to "feel genuinely part of what we build".

"We recognise that recent months have brought uncertainty for everyone connected with the club," they said.

"This is a fresh chapter for Maldon and Tiptree FC - built together with the people who make this club what it is."

The BBC has asked the club for more details about the new owners.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.