HAVING pulled the plug on East Thurrock United football club, closing it down after more than 50 years as a local community venture, its owners have now put the club's ground, training facilities and clubhouse up for lease. 

Following the death of its owner, Bennie Bennett in December 2019, the club was sold by the Bennett family to gypsy multi-millionaire Alfie Best for an undisclosed sum.

The deal included ownership of the Rookery Hill site which had been developed over several decades by supporters as the club climbed the non-League pyramid, reaching the National League South (sixth tier of football in England) with a memorable play-off win against Dulwich Hamlet in 2016.

The club, which also reached the FA Cup first round twice under the managership of John Coventry, played in the National League for three seasons.

Ben Bennett

It was relegated to the Isthmian Premier and then, in a welter of internal turmoil following Ben Bennett's death, dropped to the Isthmian North where it struggled through the Covid years and was eventually subject to a spectacular takeover by Mr Best.

He promised a new era of prosperity for the club and a new ground, with a plan to turn Rookery Hill into a residential park. 

The day-to-day running was handed over to a local committee headed up by former player Steve Wiseman - advised by successful non-League manager and club owner Colin McBride, a close friend of the Bennett family - while ownership of the football club and its interim financial management was entrusted by Mr Best to Gary Brownlie, Ben Bennett's nephew. 

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Mr Brownlie also took over running of the neighbouring former Pegasus Club, renamed the Wyldecrest Sports Country Club - reflecting the interest of Wyldecrest Parks, the successful Thurrock-based nationwide residential home parks company run by Mr Best.

The company had ambitions to expand existing mobile homes at Rookery Hill as part of an upgrade of the site - but recently failed in an application to Thurrock Council for a certificate of lawfulness that would have facilitated that expansion. 

Meantime, in September, it was announced by Mr Brownlie that he was putting East Thurrock United (2009) Ltd, the operating company of the football club, into administration because of 'historic debt'. 

The club's fixtures in the Isthmian North were suspended and the club's playing record for this season is to be expunged from the league. 

Nub News understands debts surrounding the club and operation of social facilities at the club stand in the region of £200,000 for its current owners and are subject to a liquidation process as the club's financial affairs and other matters are resolved through administration and possible legal actions. 

The Rookery Hill site has now been put on the market to be leased. Full details can be found via this link.