The Blues welcome Kings Langley F.C to The Arena on Saturday afternoon as both sides vie for a place in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Lango or Kings, as they are sometimes referred to, ply their trade in the Southern League Division One Central.

On this occasion we're extremely honoured to have a couple of very special guests in the crowd with Cllr Gareth Barrett, The Major of Brentwood, attending along with his brother Councillor Dr Tim Barrett

Cllr Gareth Barrett was brought up in Brentwood, attending St Peter’s South Weald and what was then the Hedley Walter High School. He went on to complete a BSc in Economics at the University of Essex, then an MSc in Public Policy & Management and a PhD in Politics at Birkbeck, University of London.

Cllr Barrett currently works for a communications agency in London, having worked in communications and public affairs for over 15 years. He has also supported the local community as a School Governor and Conservator of Shenfield Common.

Since 2014, he has been a Councillor representing the Brentwood South Ward, most recently re-elected in 2022. During this time, Cllr Barrett Chaired the Licensing Committee in 2014/15, has been a member of multiple committees, was the Labour Group Leader for seven years and has served on several working groups.

Aside from council committees, he has been pleased to be a member of Brentwood Business Partnership, as they have developed proposals to support the Borough’s economic development, and is looking forward to participating in Town Twinning activities in both Roth and Montbazon.

With the excitement the FA Cup brings along with the prediction of an ideal summer afternoon, the Blues are expecting a larger that average crowd and request you arrive with plenty of time where there will be both an inside and outside facility serving drinks plus a food bar.

COYB