AFTER a week in which rumours have begun to take flight about the future of East Thurrock United, the Isthmian League side's chairman has spoken up to squash them and stress that the club has a bright future – and it is not looking to downgrade its status.

The long term future – and even location of the club's home – has been in doubt since the death of long time owner Ben Bennett in December 2019.

In the immediate aftermath of his death following a lengthy battle with cancer, his family pledged themselves to preserving his legacy and experienced non-League football stalwart Colin McBridge stepped in to manage the club's affairs.

A new committee was appointed including several longstanding supporters and former players, including Steve Wiseman, who is now the chairman.

In July 2020 the club was bought by multi-millionaire and flamboyant entrepreneur Alfie Best who pledged he would ensure continuity of the club and that he would be investing in the club's future. His mobile home park company Wyldecrest Parks became the club's sponsor and other associated companies also chipped in.

He also spoke about finding the club a new home which would be a state-of-the-art community facility – particularly for the club's thriving youth sections.

Those youth sections continue to grow and the club is now widely regarded as an exemplar one for young players with teams operating at many levels.

Alfie Best at East Thurrock United. Picture by Darren Fletcher.

Last year Mr Best also purchased the nearby defunct Pegasus Club, which was refurbished, upgared and rebranded as the Wyldecrest Country Club.

It has widely been anticipated that the site might become home for East Thurrock United when Mr Best develops Rookery Hill as a mobile home park. He remains in discussions with Thurrock Council about the future use of the site, though no announcements have been made. An application, submitted in 2021, remains undecided.

Last month the club's first team managers Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace left the club after failing to reach an agreement of budgets for next season.

A statement from the club at the time said: "Most supporters will be aware that over the last three years or so, a lot of work and sacrifice has taken place to stabilise the financial situation at the club, and the football club is now operating debt free and on a sound self financing basis.

"We cannot put the future of the club in jeopardy by making promises we cannot afford to keep."

Steve Butterworth was appointed as new first team manager shortly afterwards and he has brought in many new players.

The club are safely in a top half position in the Isthmian North division and Butterworth is already scouting for and trying out players for next season.

However, the change of management and the lack of progress over Rookery Hill has prompted some disquiet and rumours began to circulate this week that the club had submitted its resignation from the Isthmian league – possibly with a view to dropping to the Essex Senior league – or even the step below that!

However, today (Saturday, 8 April) Steve Wiseman has spoke to Thurrock Nub News to refute the speculation.

"Those stories are simply not true," he said. "We are committed to remaining in the Isthmian League and are working with Steve and the management team to put a squad together that can be competitive.

"We have paid our FA Cup and Trophy and league entry fees for next season.

"We are committed to maintaining the ground and we have recently received approval of our grading to be at this level for at least four years. To ensure that happened we carried out improvements to the ground and facilities.

"As a committee we are a group of people who are working hard to secure the future of East Thurrock United. And that is reflected in the amazing youth set up we have.

"We have a lot of people working very hard with our junior teams and the facility we have and the commitment we put in as a united club is the envy of many.

"There will always be critics and those who wish to pick fault but I can give my 100 per cent commitment that we are working to keep the club going and playing at as high a level as possible.

"We have a great and enthusiastic fan base who are committed to the team – home and away and we are incredibly grateful for that support.

"We know there are people who are out to cause upset and criticise and we no what they are saying. The answer is, it is simply not true."