Hearn dreams of Football League for his local team
MatchroomBritish sports promoter Barry Hearn hopes his local football team will be in the English Football League within five years.
Brentwood Town narrowly missed out on promotion to the National League South in the 2025-26 season, losing in the play-off final to rivals Billericay Town.
Hearn announced a five-year sponsorship deal worth "hundreds of thousands" of pounds between his Matchroom company and the Essex club on Monday.
"I'd like to think within five years of this deal that we're in the Football League. That would be a massive target," he told the BBC.
Matchroom, which is based at its headquarters in Brentwood, first started sponsoring the Blues in 2023.
"I watched Argentina play and I wouldn't charge money to watch that rubbish," Hearn said.
"But when you come to Brentwood you've got people trying, it means a lot to them."
Tom Larsen-Wright/BBCHearn, a lifelong fan and former owner of Leyton Orient, hoped his investment would help to develop younger footballers.
"I want to try and help us do well, enjoy it and put a smile on a few people's faces, because this is a horrible world we live in at the moment," he added.
Brentwood finished fifth in the Isthmian League Premier Division during their latest campaign, but lost in the play-off final.
They would need to be promoted three times to achieve Hearn's dream of reaching the Football League.
Chairman Jez Dickinson said the money would help to bring the club's infrastructure up to scratch for higher leagues, as well as funding new players.
"The kudos and the support and the advice [from Matchroom and Hearn] is priceless," said Dickinson.
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