Barry Hearn's Brentwood blueprint: Five-year Matchroom deal targets National League rise

From Leyton Orient to the Isthmian League

Barry Hearn built his name transforming snooker, darts and boxing into major television sports. Even at 78, the Matchroom founder remains one of the most recognisable sporting promoters in the world. His involvement in football is perhaps lesser known — but every bit as intriguing, and it now extends to his own doorstep.

In March 1995, Hearn saved Leyton Orient — the club he first watched at the age of 11 — from bankruptcy by buying it for just £2.43. By 2007, three sides of Brisbane Road had been rebuilt; by 2012, he had wiped out any debt and reportedly invested around £8m. In 2013/14, Orient reached the League One play-off final with a rare chance to reach the second tier, but lost 4-3 on penalties to Rotherham at Wembley. Within two months he had sold the club to Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti and spent nine years away from football.

Then, in July 2023, Matchroom sponsored the home shirt of Brentwood Town, the Isthmian League North Division side based three miles up the road from their headquarters. The following year, Hearn took a minority stake in the club — and this summer, a five-year partnership and "a significant investment" was announced.

How a hospice visit sparked it all

The connection began almost by accident. "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," says chairman Jez Dickinson. "It was an entertaining game and Barry said afterwards, 'I'm never going to sit next to you again, Jez! Every time the ball went into the box, you were going up 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. We had some lunches and, after about the third one, he asked me what I wanted. I said obviously I wanted him to get involved, but I wanted him to get involved because he wanted to get involved, not because I was asking him — and he said he'd do it."

Building the foundations

Hearn's name is, naturally, the one that catches the eye, but Dickinson has been the driving force since taking over as chairman in May 2019. Before his appointment, he says there was "no pathway for the youth into the first team", "the bar was like a 1970s pub", and "the ambition was just to stay in the league".

That has changed dramatically. Brentwood installed a brand new 3G pitch in the summer of 2024, won the Isthmian North Division in 2024/25 and last season lost the play-off final, where a place in the National League South was on the line. The club now boasts a Centre of Excellence with 250 boys and girls between the ages of six and 12. "It's hollow if that isn't there," Dickinson says.

Dickinson has spent seven years building the foundations so far — and Hearn's involvement provides the chance to take the club to another level.

How the partnership works

"I speak to him probably once a week, maybe twice. It depends what's happening," explains Dickinson. "He's hands-on in as much as he's available for anything we talk about. We'll sit down every couple of months, look at the financials, how we're getting on. He loves his numbers!

"Though he's a minority shareholder and he owns some of the club, he doesn't want to run it. He says: 'I look at you, Jez and you're stressed enough, I don't want any of that!'

"What he does is actually raise the bar, subconsciously, for what I want to achieve. We'll have a catch-up at Matchroom and it is quite inspiring and you come away thinking, 'let's go for it'. I don't underestimate that. It's probably 10 times as important as the financial stuff he does — not that I don't want the financial support as that's really important!

"He's a fantastic ambassador for the club as well as a sponsor and partner. I was speaking to a potential partner recently and they said they were interested because if he's committing to five years, he doesn't do things by halves and won't give up easily. It creates confidence with us and people looking to be partners."

Ambition: National League football in five years

Brentwood — who sit 18th in the Isthmian Premier Division after eight games — are currently averaging attendances of just under 700, with aims of reaching 1,000 this season. There are plans for a 1,000-seater stand in place, though their purchase of the Brentwood Centre Arena needs to be completed before any progression can be made on that front.

As for where the partnership with Hearn and Matchroom could take the club over the next five years, Dickinson is clear. "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 pretty successful for us. That would be excellent. It shows how much faith he and Matchroom have in us — it's down to us to deliver."