Barry Hearn is widely celebrated for turning snooker, darts and boxing into television staples, turning modest contests into prime‑time spectacles. Even at the age of 78, the founder of Matchroom remains one of the most recognizable promoters in global sport. While his work in combat and cue sports dominates headlines, his involvement in football is less publicised yet equally compelling. Back in March 1995, a teenage‑aged memory resurfaced when Hearn rescued Leyton Orient— the club he first watched as an eleven‑year‑old— from the brink of liquidation.
He acquired the team for a symbolic £2.43, a figure that underscored his genuine affection rather than a profit‑driven bargain. Over the following decade he poured substantial resources into the club: by 2007 the three stands at Brisbane Road had been completely rebuilt, and by 2012 he had eliminated all outstanding debt, reportedly investing around £8 million of his own money. The 2013‑14 season saw Orient reach the League One play‑off final, a tantalising glimpse of promotion to the second tier, only to lose 4‑3 on penalties to Rotherham at Wembley. Within two months of that heart‑breaking defeat, Hearn sold the club to Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti.
After that transaction, Hearn stepped away from football for nine years, focusing on his myriad other ventures. The next chapter began in July 2023 when Matchroom agreed to sponsor the home shirts of Brentwood Town, an Isthmian League North Division side located just three miles from the Matchroom headquarters.
The partnership quickly deepened; in the following year Hearn took a minority shareholding in the club, and during the summer a five‑year strategic partnership and a "significant investment" were formally announced. "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 afterward, ‘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 wears his heart on his sleeve, and that honesty sparked our connection." After a few lunches, Dickinson says Hearn asked what he wanted from the partnership.
Dickinson replied that he wanted Hearn’s involvement because Hearn himself wanted to be involved, not merely because he was asked. Hearn agreed, and the collaboration was set in motion. While Hearn’s name naturally draws attention, Dickinson has been the real engine behind Brentwood’s recent renaissance since assuming the chairmanship in May 2019. He describes the club’s condition at that time as bleak: there was "no pathway for the youth into the first team," the clubhouse resembled a "1970s pub," and the ambition was simply to avoid relegation.
Since then, the club has taken concrete steps to modernise. A brand‑new 3G pitch was installed in the summer of 2024, the team clinched the Isthmian North Division title in the 2024‑25 season, and although they fell short in the play‑off final that would have secured promotion to the National League South, the progress is undeniable.
Brentwood now boasts a Centre of Excellence that serves 250 boys and girls aged six to twelve, a development Dickinson says is essential: "It’s hollow if that isn’t there." He has spent seven years laying the groundwork, and Hearn’s involvement offers the chance to elevate the club to a new tier. **How the partnership operates** Dickinson explains that his communication with Hearn is frequent but informal. "I speak to him probably once a week, maybe twice, depending on what’s happening," he says. "He’s hands‑on as far as his availability allows.
Every couple of months we sit down, review the financials, and discuss progress. He loves his numbers!" Although Hearn holds a minority stake, he deliberately refrains from day‑to‑day management.
"He looks at me and sees I’m already stressed enough; he doesn’t want to add to that," Dickinson notes. Instead, Hearn’s presence serves as a catalyst, raising the club’s aspirations by example. "When we meet at Matchroom, it’s inspiring.
You leave thinking, ‘let’s go for it.’ That psychological boost is probably ten times more valuable than the direct financial input, though the money is crucial too." Hearn also acts as an ambassador. Dickinson recounts a recent conversation with a prospective sponsor who said they were eager to partner because Hearn had committed to a five‑year term and was known for seeing projects through. "His commitment creates confidence for us and for anyone considering a partnership," Dickinson adds. **Current performance and future goals** Brentwood currently sit 18th in the Isthmian Premier Division after eight fixtures, drawing an average crowd of just under 700 spectators.
The club aims to push that figure to 1,000 by season’s end. Plans are already in motion for a 1,000‑seat stand, but the development hinges on finalising the purchase of the Brentwood Centre Arena, a prerequisite for any major infrastructure work. Looking ahead, Dickinson believes the five‑year partnership with Hearn and Matchroom could reshape the club’s trajectory.
"Barry decided on a five‑year partnership to drive the club to the highest level of the pyramid possible. Hopefully after those five years, there’ll be another five years!
Realistically, if we’re playing National League football in five years, that will be a huge success for us. It shows the faith he and Matchroom have in us – the rest is up to us to deliver." In summary, Barry Hearn’s foray into non‑league football mirrors his earlier successes in snooker and boxing: a blend of passion, strategic investment, and a flair for promotion. By aligning his brand with Brentwood Town, he provides both capital and credibility, while chairman Jez Dickinson supplies the grassroots expertise and day‑to‑day stewardship. Together they aim to transform a modest community club into a competitive force capable of climbing the English football pyramid, all while preserving the local identity that first attracted Hearn to the sport decades ago.
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