GLENN TAMPLIN has QUIT football – walking away from eighth-tier Romford and his £10million Essex mansion to start a new life abroad.
The eccentric millionaire, 49, enjoyed a whirlwind 16-month spell as owner – and manager – of the Isthmian League club.
But after the coronavirus pandemic saw non-league football grind to a halt, Tamplin – who urged players to call him 'Daddy Pig' – has now walked away from Romford and move abroad.
A club statement read: "When Glenn Tamplin became involved in Romford FC in December 2019, no one could have predicted the events that were to unfold across the world.
'This has affected everyone, families, businesses and the wider football community.
"After several conversations we have had with Glenn we have decided to go our separate ways.
"Glenn is now working and living abroad, and cannot devote the time required to push the club forward in the manner he wanted to.
"We have parted as friends and wished each other well in what comes next.
"The club is grateful for Glenn's involvement at a time when the club's survival was in question."
Tamplin had previously been at the helm of another non-league Essex club, Billericay Town.
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During his time as owner there, he brought former Premier League stars Jamie O'Hara, Jermaine Pennant and Paul Konchesky to the club.
At Billericay, Tamplin poured £2m into the club, including a new pitch, stadium improvements and a giant mural… of himself receiving a message from God.
Tamplin made himself manager in 2017, before sacking himself in February 2018, reappointing himself two days later and then resigning for good in April.
In 2019, he quit Billericay citing fan abuse, before announcing his return to football with Romford in September the same year.
Tamplin swiftly sacked manager Paul Martin, taking over himself before signing 15 new players within 24 hours in a huge squad overhaul.
After saying he aimed to take Romford to the Football League, he sent 12 players home before a game against Coggeshall for turning up late.
The Romford teamsheet for the game was left blank for the game.
But Tamplin had fans through the turnstiles after not only offering free tickets for games, but also a free drinks voucher.
However, after Covid-19 struck, non-league football was called to a halt, with Romford left to rust.
Tamplin himself contracted the virus, claiming he believed he would succumb to the illness.
In June 2020, he claimed: "I took breathing for granted; it starves you of oxygen, it damages your organs.
"I swear to God, for two or three days, I thought I was a goner.
"I was passing out with pain, couldn't breathe."
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