Thanks to our incredible media assistant, we was able to get in contact with new Maldon & Tiptree owners and staff to get their insights on their new women’s team alongside the passion, planning, and ambition powering Maldon & Tiptree FC’s first-ever women’s side.

We Want This to Be a Movement

The 2025/26 season marks the beginning of a new chapter at Maldon & Tiptree Football Club: the formation of a senior women’s team. It’s a historic step for the Essex side — and one that isn’t being taken lightly.

Club co-owner Barrie Drewitt-Barlow shared the club’s bold ambitions, commitment to visibility, and the energy driving this new project.

Uniting the Community — On and Off the Pitch

“We’re treating the launch of the women’s team with the energy and visibility it deserves,” Barrie said. “From behind-the-scenes content to launch events and open training sessions, we want everyone to feel part of this journey from day one.”

The response from local supporters and aspiring players has been overwhelming. Within weeks of announcing the team, over 100 applications poured in, and the club held multiple trial nights with 30+ players attending each session.

“We’ve already seen a buzz in schools and grassroots teams,” Barrie added. “Representation is powerful. When young girls see players in Maldon shirts, it changes what feels possible.”

Supporters are encouraged to attend games, promote the team online, and even explore partnerships as the club looks to make women’s football a community pillar.

Equal Coverage – Equal Respect

The women’s team will feature side by side with the men’s team across all club platforms — including matchday programmes and social media.

“Our media voice represents the whole club — not just one half of it,” said Barrie. “It’s one club, one badge, one united media voice.”

With a team of social media professionals already on the case, expect consistent coverage, interviews, and feature pieces throughout the season.

A Manager Who Knows the Game

After a lengthy interview process, the club landed on Jody Buckley as the team’s first women’s manager — a decision Barrie calls “crucial.”

“Jody has a work ethic like no other and a deep respect for women’s football,” he said. “He’s 100% professional and committed to doing things the right way.”

The club nearly went in a different direction during the hiring process — but credits its eventual decision with laying a strong foundation for the women’s team.

“Get behind them,” Barrie urged. “These players.. staff.. are here to make history, and you can be a part of that from day one.”

The club promises an atmosphere that’s welcoming, exciting, and unique — with a squad that’s hungry to make Maldon proud.

Liam Bailey, director at the club and the board’s point of contact for the women’s team, has been closely involved in the setup phase.

“Now that Jody has selected the team, I see a real passion among the players,” Liam said. “They’ve really bought into the club ethos. They’re passionate and talented — I have high hopes for this team.”

Though Liam hasn’t directly coached, he’s been around the training sessions and facilities, helping ensure the infrastructure supports long-term success, although one of the unexpected challenges came before a ball was even kicked — at the Essex league AGM.

“We had seven teams vote for us not to be placed in any of the five leagues,” Liam revealed. “Luckily, common sense prevailed and we were voted into the Premier Division of Tier 7.”

The club’s stance — offering free kit, no subs, and full backing — raised eyebrows in some quarters but made clear Maldon & Tiptree’s intent to raise standards.

Despite the team’s newness, rivalries are already forming.

“We’ve become a rival of everybody,” Liam said. “We’re doing things differently, and we welcome the challenge each game brings.”

And the players will be walking out on the club’s main stadium pitch, something Liam calls “a massive step forward” for the football club as a whole.

From social posts to trial nights, from bold league battles to matchdays under the Park Drive lights — this is the beginning of something big.

And as Barrie puts it:

“Don’t wait to read about it. Come and see it for yourself.”

A huge thank you to everyone at Maldon & Tiptree FC — especially Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, Liam Bailey, and Jody Buckley — for taking the time to speak with us and share their vision for the club’s exciting new chapter.

For trials or enquiries about the women’s team, email Ladies@MaldonTiptreeFC.com