THE talk of non-league football in south Essex in recent times has centred around the takeover of Billericay Town.

Glenn Tamplin’s investment last December has got everyone talking, with the steel magnate targeting a place in the Football League by 2022 - a promotion every two seasons.

It has not been the smoothest of transitions on the pitch, with Town losing four of their six league games and exiting the Essex Senior Cup since the takeover.

Plenty have been vocal in expressing their disbelief the club’s plans will prove to be successful, with the majority seemingly certain it will follow the failed attempts in the past at clubs including AFC Hornchurch and Grays Athletic.

I am not saying that will not happen this time around, but should we not want this to be a success?

The club will be the central beneficiaries but, should things go to plan, so will the wider community with schools and businesses set to profit from improved facilities and hopefully increased local footfall.

I have been mocked by some for praising Tamplin’s ambition but this is a club that has been offered the chance to climb the footballing ladder, a chance that would otherwise not have materialised.

Would any other club turn such investment away, and if the answer is yes would they be right to do so?

Several managers have told me they want the project to be a success and wouldn’t have minded if the investment had come their way.

Rivalries in the game is what makes it so great and Billericay’s added spending power will further exacerbate this. It is rumoured they offered one player a four figure weekly wage plus bonuses recently.

Football is a business, and Billericay, like any club, are best using the money at their disposal to be successful.

Tamplin has admitted he needs help if he wants to make this a success, and I hope he gets it. Not just for Billericay Town, but to further boost the vibrant non-league scene we have in south Essex.