Barry Hearn is most famous for turning snooker, darts and boxing into television spectacles that attract millions of viewers. Even at 78, the founder of Matchroom remains one of the most recognizable promoters in global sport.
While his work in combat sports dominates headlines, his involvement in football is equally compelling, albeit less publicised. In March 1995, a teenage Hearn’s lifelong affection for Leyton Orient—he first watched the club at the age of 11—led him to intervene when the team faced insolvency. He purchased the club for a symbolic £2.43, effectively rescuing it from the brink of collapse. Over the next decade, Hearn poured substantial resources into the club.
By 2007, three sides of Leyton Orient’s home ground, Brisbane Road, had been completely rebuilt. By 2012, he had eliminated the club’s debts and is reported to have invested roughly £8 million in infrastructure, player recruitment and community programmes.
The 2013‑14 season offered a glimpse of what might have been. Orient reached the League One play‑off final, a one‑off match that could have catapulted the side into the second tier of English football for the first time in decades. The drama unfolded at Wembley, where Orient fell 4‑3 on penalties to Rotherham United.
Within two months of that heart‑breaking defeat, Hearn sold the club to Italian entrepreneur Francesco Becchetti, stepping away from football for nine years while his other business interests continued to expand. Fast forward to July 2023, when Matchroom entered the non‑league scene by sponsoring the home shirt of Brent Wood Town, a club competing in the Isthmian League North Division and located just three miles from Matchroom’s headquarters.
The partnership deepened the following year when Hearn took a minority shareholding in the club, and in the summer of 2024 a five‑year agreement was announced, describing the deal as a "significant investment" and a long‑term commitment. According to Brent Wood chairman Jez Dickinson, the relationship began in an unexpected way. "We were playing a charity match for Saint Francis Hospice, an organisation Barry supports as a patron. He sat next to me, and after the game he joked, ‘I’m never going to sit next to you again, Jez!
Every time the ball went into the box you were leaping for a header and elbowing me in the side!’ Barry is a passionate man who wears his heart on his sleeve, and that’s where we clicked," Dickinson recalls. Over a series of lunches, Hearn asked what Dickinson wanted. Dickinson answered that he wanted Hearn’s involvement because Hearn wanted to be involved, not merely because he was asked. Hearn agreed, setting the stage for the partnership that now underpins Brent Wood’s ambitions.
Dickinson acknowledges that Hearn’s name draws attention, but he insists the real engine of change has been his own leadership since taking over as chairman in May 2019. When he arrived, the club suffered from a lack of a clear pathway for youth players, a dated bar reminiscent of a 1970s pub, and an ambition limited to simply staying in the league. Since then, a series of strategic upgrades have taken place: a brand‑new 3G pitch was laid in the summer of 2024, the club clinched the Isthmian North Division title in the 2024‑25 season, and although they fell short in the play‑off final that could have secured promotion to the National League South, the progress was unmistakable. A cornerstone of the club’s development is its Centre of Excellence, which now accommodates around 250 boys and girls aged six to twelve.
Dickinson stresses that a thriving youth set‑up is essential; without it the club would feel "hollow". Over the past seven years, he has focused on building solid foundations, and Hearn’s involvement is seen as the catalyst that could propel Brent Wood to the next tier.
The mechanics of the partnership are surprisingly hands‑on, given Hearn’s status as a minority shareholder. Dickinson explains, "I speak to Barry once or twice a week, depending on what’s happening. He’s very involved in discussions, loves looking at the numbers, and we meet every couple of months to review finances and performance. He doesn’t want to run the club—he says, ‘I see you, Jez, and you’re already stressed enough; I don’t want to add to that.’" Instead, Hearn’s presence raises the bar for what the club aspires to achieve.
Meetings at Matchroom’s offices are described as inspiring, leaving Dickinson with a renewed sense of ambition. Financial support, while vital, is only part of Hearn’s contribution. Dickinson notes that Hearn’s reputation as a steadfast partner builds confidence among potential sponsors.
"When I talk to a prospective partner, they say they’re interested because Barry is committing to five years. He doesn’t do things by halves and won’t give up easily.
That creates trust and makes it easier to attract additional partners," Dickinson says. On the pitch, Brent Wood currently sit 18th in the Isthmian Premier Division after eight fixtures, averaging just under 700 spectators per match. The club’s target is to push that figure to 1,000 fans this season, a goal that aligns with plans to construct a 1,000‑seat stand.
However, the development hinges on finalising the purchase of the Brent Wood Centre Arena, a prerequisite for any major stadium upgrades. Looking ahead, Dickinson believes the five‑year partnership with Hearn and Matchroom could fundamentally reshape the club’s trajectory. "Barry has committed to a five‑year plan to take the club as high up the pyramid as possible. If we’re playing National League football in five years, that will be a massive success.
Realistically, that’s the benchmark we’re aiming for," he says. "If after five years there’s another five‑year agreement, that would be even better.
It shows how much faith Barry and Matchroom have in us; now it’s up to us to deliver." In summary, Barry Hearn’s foray into non‑league football mirrors his broader career: a blend of visionary investment, personal passion, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves. By aligning his brand with Brent Wood Town, he provides the club with financial muscle, strategic guidance and, perhaps most importantly, a powerful endorsement that can attract further support. As the club works toward a larger stadium, higher attendances and a place in the National League, Hearn’s partnership may well become a case study in how high‑profile investors can nurture grassroots football while preserving its community spirit. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million!
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