There are a few reasons why Billericay may have entered your sphere of knowledge - a) You are familiar with the Essex area of London generally; b) You have watched Gavin & Stacey; c) You were as surprised as most to learn that Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O'Hara and Paul Konchesky had decided to play their football there with the non-league side the town inhabits.
Billericay Town is now the play-thing of what The Sun describes as the "steel-tycoon" Glenn Tamplin.
Offering competitive contracts to players that would be far more at home ability-wise in the Football League, the owner-cum-manager of Billericay Town has found himself subject to investigation "by police over alleged blackmail offences":
The Football Association is aware of a series of extraordinary claims made against Billericay Town owner-manager Mr. Tamplin.
It follows reports the family of former England Under-16 star Elliot [Kebbie] have been issued death threats.
Kebbie, who spent his youth as an academy prospect at Leeds United, joined Tamplin at Billericay Town last year.
Securing a two-year deal that would see Kebbie earn £4,000 a month, The Sun reports how Tamplin appeared to grow dissatisfied with the contract he had initially offered to the young defender:
Within weeks, it is claimed the controversial boss decided Mr. Kebbie was being paid too much. The Sun on Sunday understands the player was later offered a £5,000 pay-out to leave the club, but vowed to stay and complete his contract.
It is alleged Mr. Tamplin, worth £45 million, text him to say he 'did not want to get gangsters involved.'
Demonstrating the sort of capriciousness one would expect of a man who would buy a non-league side and install themselves as manager, it has been confirmed that Tamplin is under investigation by the Essex Police.
