FOLLOWING this week's news that East Thurrock United FC's senior club has been folded by its owner, one of Britain's richest men, flamboyant gypsy and holiday park entrepreneur Alfie Best, fellow borough Isthmian League side Grays Athletic have stepped in with offers for fans of the now defunct club.

Through his operations manager Gary Brownlie, who cites historical debt as the reason to put the club in the hands of liquidators, Mr Best appears to have reneged on his commitment to sustain the community club.

There has been much local anger among supporters and residents in Stanford-le-Hope about the decision to suddenly shut down the senior side – and an approach was made from a fans collective about taking over the football club.

That has been rejected by Mr Brownlie who says investigations by tax authorities about the alleged debt and evasion of payment issues have forced his hand. Company accounts lodged at Companies House do not show any issues with the football club, which is listed as East Thurrock United (2009) Ltd – but Mr Brownlie says there are a myriad of issues behind the scenes and he has been critical of the group of former players and supporters, under the guidance of well-known local player, manager and administrator Colin McBride.

Among that group is a former Rocks player Steve Wiseman, who took on the role of chairman following the death of the club's previous benefactor Benny Bennett.

On response to the actions of Mr Brownlie, he issued a caustic rebuttal on social media, speaking on behalf of himself, 'some very close friends, volunteers who have come forward, all of our supporters, friends, families, just about everyone in the area'.

Mr Wiseman said: "All of us have tried to keep this great local club playing football for our community. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in a situation where we are unable to continue or function.

"I would like to point out at this moment in time we do not owe anybody, individually of companies, any monies.

"This liquidation has been forced upon us, verbally I might add. At present we as a club are not in debt to anyone. We were self-sufficient, as per our owner's wishes.

"We were purchased by others I thought had the best intentions for the club and community.

"They obviously had to think of its commercial value as well, pretty sure everyone would agree with that.

"We are a club with no debt, owned by a billionaire, run by someone (Gary Brownlie) who was a nephew of our owner Ben, who came from nowhere when he passed away.

"We are now going into liquidation, so I am told, due to 'historical debts.'

"We were and are very capable of paying anything that is owed to anyone since we volunteered to keep the club running.

"To exonerate myself and all the others that tried to keep this great club afloat, we had no knowledge of any of this."

When he took over the club Mr Best courted nationwside publicity and made the pages of the Sun, among others red tops, when he boasted about investing up to £15 million into the club. His words and promises look hollow today and have brought scathing criticsm of him across social media.

Mr Best has not commented on the current situation.

Meanwhile, while there are clearly bricks and stones being thrown backwards and forwards in East Thurrock, Grays Athletic – itself a homeless club currently playing at Tilbury's ground - has come up with two offers to help football fans get to see live action in the borough.

A statement from Grays says: "We were devastated to hear the news that our fellow Thurrock non league football club East Thurrock United had entered liquidation and would cease all senior men's football with immediate effect.

"A staple of non league football in the east of the borough for over 50 years serving the peoples of Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham the Rocks established themselves as a core part of the local community and Thurrock as a whole and the news of the club's closure is a devastating moment for non-League football within the borough and further afield.

"The Grays Athletic board of directors have therefore unanimously decided to stand side by side with the Rocks superb volunteers and supporters and are delighted to be able to offer free entry to every East Thurrock United 2023/24 season ticket holder for our home match against Bury Town FC on Saturday, 16 September at Tilbury FC, Kick Off 3pm. Simply wear a ETU Top, Scalf or pin badge to gain free entry

"As a supporter-owned club we know that without its supporters and volunteers a club is nothing, we stand united alongside our fellow non-League footballing family and we support the East Thurrock United supporters and volunteers at this very difficult time.

Grays are also offering free entry to every East Thurrock United youth player and half price entry to every accompanying parent or carer for all it remaining league matches.

The statement added: "It is some consolation that East Thurrock United's superb youth section will remain for the 2023/24 season. The Junior Rocks youth set up is one of the strongest in South Essex and we are delighted that this will continue for the foreseeable future.

"The club are aware that as part of the youth set up at the Rock, every Junior Rock was offered a free season pass for the 2023/24 season to watch the Senior team play at Rookery Hill and half price entry for every accompanying parent/carer.

"As the Rocks first team are no longer able to play senior men's football our board of directors are delighted to be able to offer free entry to every East Thurrock United Youth player for our home league matches for the 2023/24 season. This also includes half price entry to every parent/carer of a East Thurrock united youth player. This is the same offer we offer to all our Grays Athletic Youth players and parents."