BLUES HAVE A BOLD VISION!

BRENTWOOD chairman Jez Dickinson jokes he might not have taken the helm at the Isthmian North club in 2019 if he’d really thought it through.

- Matt Badcock

Fast-forward a few years and, like all Non-League clubs, they’ve had to deal with two ruined seasons due to the covid pandemic – as well as play-off final heartache on penalties.

But this season they’re in the promotion mix again under manager Keith Rowland while, off the pitch, they’ve launched Project 3G to raise £1million for a new artificial surface that’s booked in to be laid from May 7 next year.

No wonder Dickinson describes it as a labour of love.

“My son played for Brentwood Town youth and he was on the fringe of the first team before I took over,” Dickinson says. “The chairman at the time stood down after 20-odd years. When it came up, my gut told me there was a good opportunity here. I’m sure if I did all my due diligence, checked everything and looked at what the possible hassle could be, I would never do it!

“It’s a labour of love but, for me, it’s about a pathway through for the young kids, the academy, and into the first team and there should be a one club mentality.

“It’s easy to say it and use those words. To actually formulate that, and maintain it, is a tougher job. But that’s the key.