Barry Hearn is best known for turning snooker, darts and boxing into television spectacles that attract millions of viewers worldwide. Even at the age of 78, the founder of Matchroom remains one of the most recognizable promoters in sport, a name that instantly conjures images of packed arenas and high‑stakes broadcasts.
While his work in combat sports dominates headlines, Hearn’s involvement in football is less widely publicised, yet it is equally compelling and demonstrates his willingness to nurture the game at its grassroots. In March 1995, Hearn stepped in to rescue Leyton Orient, the club he first watched as an eleven‑year‑old, from the brink of collapse.
He purchased the team for a nominal sum of £2.43, a symbolic gesture that underscored his genuine affection for the club. Over the next twelve years, he oversaw a dramatic transformation: three sides of the historic Brisbane Road stadium were rebuilt, all outstanding debts were cleared, and he poured roughly £8 million of his own money into the operation. The pinnacle of this era arrived in the 2013‑14 season when Orient reached the League One play‑off final, a rare opportunity to ascend to the second tier of English football. Unfortunately, the dream ended in heartbreak as the team fell 4‑3 on penalties to Rotherham United at Wembley.
Within two months of that disappointment, Hearn sold the club to Italian entrepreneur Francesco Becchetti, marking the end of his first foray into football ownership. After a nine‑year hiatus from the beautiful game, during which he remained busy with his extensive portfolio of sports promotions, Hearn returned to football in a different capacity.
In July 2023, Matchroom became the shirt‑sponsor of Brentwood Town, a modest club competing in the Isthmian League North Division and situated just three miles from the Matchroom headquarters. The partnership quickly deepened; the following year Hearn acquired a minority shareholding, and earlier this summer a five‑year strategic alliance was announced, accompanied by what the club described as a "significant investment." "The reason Barry came over initially was we were doing something for Saint Francis Hospice, which he is a patron of, and he sat next to me for a game," recalls Brentwood chairman Jez Dickinson. "It was an entertaining match and Barry joked afterwards, ‘I’m never going to sit next to you again, Jez!
Every time the ball went into the box you were jumping for a header and elbowing me in the side!’ Barry is very much about passion and wearing his heart on his sleeve, so that’s probably where we connected." Dickinson explains that after a few lunches, Hearn asked what the club needed. "I said I wanted him to get involved, but I wanted him to get involved because he wanted to, not because I was asking," Dickinson says.
"He agreed straight away." Although Hearn’s name naturally draws attention, Dickinson has been the driving force behind Brentwood Town since he assumed the chairmanship in May 2019. He describes the club’s condition at that time as bleak: there was no clear pathway for academy players to reach the first team, the clubhouse resembled a 1970s pub, and the ambition was simply to avoid relegation.
Since then, the club has made steady progress. A brand‑new 3G pitch was installed in the summer of 2024, the side captured the Isthmian North Division title in the 2024‑25 season, and although they fell short in the subsequent play‑off final—where promotion to the National League South was at stake—the groundwork has been laid for future success.
One of the most tangible outcomes of the recent investment is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence that now hosts 250 boys and girls aged six to twelve. "It would be hollow without a youth structure," Dickinson emphasizes, noting that a strong academy is essential for long‑term sustainability and community engagement. Dickinson’s weekly or bi‑weekly conversations with Hearn are a mix of strategic oversight and motivational support. "He’s hands‑on as far as his schedule allows," says Dickinson.
"We meet every couple of months to review the accounts—he loves his numbers. Even though he’s a minority shareholder, he never tries to run the club. He tells me, ‘I see you, Jez, you’re already stressed enough; I don’t want to add to that.’" The psychological impact of having a high‑profile figure like Hearn attached to the club, however, may be even more valuable than the direct financial input. "His involvement raises the bar for what we think is possible," Dickinson admits.
"When we sit down at Matchroom, the atmosphere is inspiring and you leave thinking, ‘let’s go for it.’ That mindset shift is perhaps ten times more important than any cash he puts in." Dickinson also points out that Hearn’s reputation acts as a magnet for other sponsors. When a potential partner learned of Hearn’s five‑year commitment, they were immediately reassured, noting that he "doesn’t do things by halves and won’t give up easily," which in turn builds confidence among prospective backers. On the pitch, Brentwood Town currently sit 18th in the Isthmian Premier Division after eight fixtures, drawing an average crowd of just under 700 supporters per game. The club’s ambition is to push that figure to 1,000 by the end of the season, a target that aligns with plans for a new 1,000‑seat stand.
However, construction cannot begin until the purchase of the Brentwood Centre Arena is finalized, a transaction that Hearn’s involvement is expected to accelerate. Looking ahead, Dickinson envisions the partnership as a catalyst for climbing the English football pyramid.
"Barry signed a five‑year deal to take the club as high as possible," he says. "If we’re playing National League football in five years, that will be a massive achievement. Realistically, reaching that level would be a huge success and would demonstrate the faith Matchroom has in us.
After that, we hope for another five‑year stretch and continue the upward trajectory." In summary, Barry Hearn’s renewed foray into non‑league football illustrates how a seasoned promoter can leverage his experience, network, and financial muscle to uplift a community club. While his name attracts headlines, it is the day‑to‑day dedication of people like Jez Dickinson, the strategic upgrades to facilities, and the cultivation of a robust youth system that together promise a brighter future for Brentwood Town.
The partnership blends ambition with practicality, aiming not only for higher league placement but also for a sustainable model that benefits supporters, players, and the local area for years to come. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.