Rival fans abuse football club after owners arrested

TL;DR

Maldon and Tiptree FC has reported verbal and online abuse directed at players and fans after its owners were arrested on serious charges, including rape. The club has condemned this behavior and called for it to stop immediately.

Key points

Maldon and Tiptree FC players and fans face abuse.
Owners charged with serious offences including rape.
Club urges for unacceptable behaviour to stop.

Mentioned in this story

BarrieScott-Drewitt Barlow

Maldon and Tiptree FC

Police officers were seen outside Maldon and Tiptree FC during searches of its clubhouse on 6 May [Stuart Woodward/BBC]

A football club has claimed players and fans have been subjected to verbal and online abuse after its owners were charged with sex offences.

Maldon and Tiptree FC asked for "unacceptable behaviour" towards all connected with the Essex-based, seventh tier side to stop immediately.

It followed Barrie, 57, and Scott-Drewitt Barlow, 32, who bought the club in 2025, appearing in court accused of offences including rape and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The pair, of Southwood Close, Danbury, are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June.

Police searched their home, the football club and The Swan pub in Braintree, which is owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, on 6 May.

The couple are accused of targeting and grooming young males, with offences alleged between 2013 and 2026.

Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow are holding the FA Cup - which is a silver trophy with red ribbons on it - on the pitch at Maldon and Tiptree FC. Behind them is a small blue stand. Barrie is wearing a black shirt and a white blazer. Scott is wearing a checkered dark grey suit.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott completed a "multi-million pound" takeover of Maldon and Tiptree FC in February 2025 [Warren Muggleton/BBC]