BILLERICAY Town’s new ownership say they have been working tirelessly to fix issues created for the former owners.

The football club was taken over by a consortium in December 2019 after steel magnate Glenn Tamplin walked out on the club.

Mr Tamplin, who took over in 2016, earned notoriety for signing ex Premier League stars Jamie O’Hara, Jermain Penant and Paul Konchesky for the non-league outfit and appointing himself manager of the first team.

Under his leadership Billericay Town FC had made numerous changes to its New Lodge stadium – without planning permission from the council.

Yesterday, councillors voted unanimously to approve retrospective permission after the new owners demonstrated their commitment to the community.

Alex Morrissey, managing director of Billericay Town Football Club, told the meeting: “In December 2019 a consortium took over the club after the ex-owner walked out. We had about three or four weeks to do due diligence and take over, otherwise the football club would have been no longer.

“The council made contact with us in January 2020 to inform us about the issues surrounding the buildings that had been put up and a number of outstanding items.

“As a club the emphasis is purely on the community. We have managed to correct all the issues and we now have over 70 community teams playing down at Blunts Wall Road.”

Mr Tamplin had spent millions renovating the viewing stands and the pavilion. The pitch had also been replaced with a new artificial surface and moderations were made to the on-field lighting system.

“We apologise for the works that were done but that was outside of our control. We have done everything to put them right and will continue to work in a way that satisfies the local community,” Mr Morrissey continued.

“It has very much been set up as a community asset to serve the local community. Getting involved in football, the owners and myself, you don’t get paid anything, and it costs an awful lot of money.”

Councillor Craig Rimmer thanked the consortium for saving the club and added: “I’m glad the football club is working to be a better neighbour.”