A SEVENTH-TIER non-league football club has scored a big win by netting a new multi-millionaire owner – in lockdown.

East Thurrock United, who play in the Isthmian League, has been bought by caravan king Alfie Best in a seven-figure deal.

The entrepreneur owner of Wyldecrest Parks, Europe’s biggest static home parks company, has his headquarters in Thurrock.

And he is a big supporter of the local area.

Now 50-year-old Best, who featured in the latest Sunday Times Rich List with a wealth of £340million, has major plans for the club which include a new purpose-built football stadium.

“It's a fantastic club with a lot of potential but what really excited me was the amazing community spirit it has and that’s what I want to build and expand on," explains Best, who made a flying visit to the Corringham ground in his £3.6million helicopter.

"There is a real enthusiasm from everyone involved in the club to achieve great things here and I want to lay the groundwork with a new stadium that could see us make progress on the field and move through the divisions.

“Obviously, reaching the Football League is a big challenge, but it’s a wonderful goal to have and to aspire.”

Best, who has purchased a 50 per cent share in the club and the freehold of the ground, says the new complex could also offer amenities for other sports in the area.

And he is also keen to build a new stadium.

“A football club has so much more to offer than a game on a Saturday afternoon. It has the opportunity to be the lifeblood of the community,” said Best.

"It would be nice to be able to build a new stadium for the club. I am confident we will have the support of Thurrock Council who are a go-ahead and ambitious authority determined to provide the best amenities for their residents.

"It's the reason I moved my staff and offices into the borough from neighbouring Havering.

"It was a big decision to uproot in excess of 400 staff, but Havering is an authority that did not appear to want to support the aims of business in contrast to the forward-thinking of Lyn Carpenter, the chief executive of Thurrock Council, and her entire team, for whom I have the utmost respect."