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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Grays Athletic | image = [[File:Grays Athletic F.C. logo.png|160px]] | fullname = Grays Athletic Football Club | nickname = {{nowrap|The Gravelmen, The Ath, The Blues}} | founded = 1890 | ground = Parkside, [[Aveley]] | capacity = 3,500 (424 seated)<ref name=G>"Parklife for Millers", ''Groundtastic'', Autumn 2017, issue 90, pp46–49</ref> | chairman = Steve Skinner | manager = [[Jamie Stuart]] | league = {{English football updater|GraysAth}} | season = {{English football updater|GraysAth2}} | position = {{English football updater|GraysAth3}} | pattern_la1=_white_hoop|pattern_b1=_thinwhitesides|pattern_ra1=_white_hoop | leftarm1=0000FF|body1=0000FF|rightarm1=0000FF|shorts1=0000FF|socks1=0000FF }} '''Grays Athletic Football Club''' is a [[Association football|football]] club based in [[Grays]], [[Essex]], England. They are currently members of the {{English football updater|GraysAth}} and play at Parkside in nearby [[Aveley]]. ==History== The club was established as Grays Juniors in 1890,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grays_athletic/7750426.stm Grays look for positive headlines] BBC Sport, 26 November 2008</ref> before merging with former [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] club [[Grays United F.C.|Grays United]] to form Grays Athletic.<ref name=GW>George H. Watts (2006) ''The Place I Love Best'', p14</ref> The newly formed club joined the Grays & District League, later joining Division Two B of the [[South Essex League]] in 1908. They were runners-up in their first season in the division and won it in their second season, earning promotion to Division One for the 1909–10 season.<ref>[http://www.barking-fc.co.uk/190910.html Season 1909/10] Barking F.C.</ref> The club were founder members of the [[Athenian League]] in 1912,<ref name=FCHD>{{fchd|id=GRAYSA|name=Grays Athletic}}</ref> but the league closed down in 1914 due to [[World War I]] and Grays transferred to the Premier Division (Amateur) of the [[London League (football)|London League]].<ref name=LL1>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Regmet/LoL10.html London League 1910–1928] Non-League Matters</ref> They won the division in their first season, with the reserves also winning Division One.<ref name=LL1/> The league was suspended at the end of the 1914–15 season, with Grays rejoining in the Premier Division when it restarted in 1919–20. Grays were Premier Division runners-up in 1920–21, before winning the division in 1921–22. In 1924 the club joined the [[Kent Football League (1894–1959)|Kent League]] but after two seasons in mid-table,<ref>[http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Addons/OKL22.html The 'original' Kent League 1922–1939] Non-League Matters</ref> they returned to the London League in 1926. The return was a success as the club were Premier Division champions in 1926–27 and runners-up in the next two seasons, before winning the title again in 1929–30.<ref name=LL1/><ref name=LL2>[http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Regmet/Lol28.html London League 1928–1950] Non-League Matters</ref> After finishing as runners-up in 1930–31, the club spent most of the 1930s in mid-table,<ref name=LL2/> although they won the league's Challenge Cup in 1936–37.<ref name=Hon>[http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/a/history-20834.html Honours] Grays Athletic F.C.</ref> After [[World War II]] Grays were founder members of the [[Corinthian League (football)|Corinthian League]], and were its inaugural champions and League Cup winners in 1945–46.<ref name=FCHD/><ref name=H>[http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/a/history-20834.html?page=2 History] Grays Athletic F.C.</ref> They were league runners-up in 1951–52, and the [[1952–53 FA Cup|following season]] saw them qualify for the first round of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time, losing 5–0 at home to [[Llanelli A.F.C.|Llanelli]].<ref name=FCHD/> They were league runners-up again in 1954–55 and 1956–57, before rejoining the Athenian League in 1958. When the league gained two more divisions in 1963, the club were placed in the Premier Division, where they remained until being relegated to Division One at the end of the 1971–72 season, in which they had finished bottom of the table.<ref name=FCHD/> In 1977 the league was reorganised into a single division, and the club were runners-up in 1982–83.<ref name=FCHD/> In 1983 Grays transferred to Division Two of the Isthmian League. League reorganisation saw them placed in Division Two South in 1984 and they went on to win the division at the [[1984–85 Isthmian League|first attempt]], earning promotion to Division One.<ref name=FCHD/> In [[1987–88 Isthmian League|1987–88]] they were Division One runners-up, resulting in promotion to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD/> In [[1988–89 FA Cup|1988–89]] the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for a second time, losing 2–0 at [[Bath City F.C.|Bath City]].<ref name=FCHD/> They remained in the Premier Division until being relegated back to Division One at the end of the [[1996–97 Isthmian League|1996–97 season]]. In [[1999–2000 Isthmian League|1999–2000]] the club were Division One runners-up, earning promotion back to the Premier Division. In 2000–01 another appearance in the FA Cup first round saw them play [[English Football League|Football League]] opposition for the first time, losing 4–0 at [[Reading F.C.|Reading]].<ref name=FCHD/> A sixth-place finish in [[2003–04 Isthmian League|2003–04]] resulted in Grays being placed in the new [[National League South|Conference South]] for the [[2004–05 Football Conference|2004–05 season]]. They went on to win the new division in its first season, earning promotion to the [[National League (division)|Conference National]].<ref name=FCHD/> The season also saw them reach the final of the [[FA Trophy]], in which they beat [[Hucknall Town F.C.|Hucknall Town]] 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at [[Villa Park]].<ref name=FCHD/> In their [[2005–06 Football Conference|first season]] in the Conference National the club finished third, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. However, they lost 5–4 on aggregate to [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]].<ref>[http://www.fchd.info/lghist/conf2006.htm 2005–06 Football Conference] Football Club History Database</ref> They also reached the second round of the [[FA Cup]], beating [[York City F.C.|York City]] 3–0 at [[Bootham Crescent]] before losing 3–0 at [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]], as well as retaining the FA Trophy with a 2–0 win over [[Woking F.C.|Woking]] in the final.<ref name=FCHD/> The club's league form subsequently faded and after narrowly avoiding relegation in [[2006–07 Football Conference|2006–07]] and [[2008–09 Football Conference|2008–09]], they finished bottom of the Conference National in [[2009–10 Football Conference|2009–10]] and resigned from the Football Conference. Grays were initially rejected by the [[Isthmian League]] and were lined up to play in the [[Essex Senior Football League|Essex Senior League]]. However, an appeal to [[the Football Association]] saw them placed in Division One North of the Isthmian League.<ref name=BBC/> A fifth-place finish in [[2011–12 Isthmian League|2011–12]] saw them qualify for the play-offs, in which [[Enfield Town F.C.|Enfield Town]] defeated them 3–1 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the semi-final.<ref name=FCHD/> However, the club were Division One North champions the [[2012–13 Isthmian League|following season]] with a club record 102 points, earning promotion back to the Premier Division.<ref name=FCHD/> In August 2016 the club became community-owned.<ref>[http://www.yourthurrock.com/grays-ath-celebrate-after-raisin-thousands-through-community-share/story-29576402-detail/story.html Grays Ath celebrate after raising thousands through community share] Your Thurrock, 2 August 2016</ref> They went on to finish bottom of the Premier Division in the [[2016–17 Isthmian League|2016–17]] and were relegated back to the (renamed) North Division. ===Season-by-season=== {| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center !Season !Division !Position !Top league goalscorer !Notes |- |[[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]] |[[Isthmian League]] Premier Division |6 |[[Freddy Eastwood]], 28 |&mdash; |- style="background: #90EE90;" |[[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] |[[Conference South]] |1 |[[Leroy Griffiths]], 19 |Champions |- |[[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] |[[Conference National]] |3 |[[Michael Kightly]], 15 |&mdash; |- |[[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] |[[Conference National]] |19 |[[Aaron McLean]], 13 |&mdash; |- |[[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] |[[Conference National]] |10 |[[Danny Kedwell]], 13 |&mdash; |- |[[2008–09 in English football|2008–09]] |[[Conference National]] |19 |[[Andy Pugh]], 7 |&mdash; |- style="background:#fcc;" |2009–10 |[[Conference National]] |23 |[[Jamie Slabber]], 4 |[[Promotion and relegation|Relegated]] |- |[[2010–11 in English football|2010–11]] |[[Isthmian League]] Division One North |10 |Alex Osborn, 17 |&mdash; |- |[[2011–12 Isthmian League|2011–12]] |[[Isthmian League]] Division One North |5 |[[Joao Carlos (footballer)|Joao Carlos]], 10 |Lost in play-off semi-final. |- |- style="background: #90EE90;" |[[2012–13 Isthmian League|2012–13]] |[[Isthmian League]] Division One North |1 |Jack West, 17 |Champions |- |[[2013–14 Isthmian League|2013–14]] |[[Isthmian League]] Premier Division |14 |[[Joao Carlos (footballer)|Joao Carlos]], 20 |&mdash; |- |[[2014–15 Isthmian League|2014–15]] |[[Isthmian League]] Premier Division |6 |[[Freddie Ladapo]], 14 |&mdash; |- |[[2015–16 Isthmian League|2015–16]] |[[Isthmian League]] Premier Division |15 |Dumebi Dumaka, 19 |&mdash; |- style="background:#fcc;" |[[2016–17 Isthmian League|2016–17]] |[[Isthmian League]] Premier Division |24 |Kieran Bishop, 12 |[[Promotion and relegation|Relegated]] |} ==Ground== The club initially played at the Hoppit Ground in [[Little Thurrock]].<ref name=PP>[http://www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/grays_athletic.html Grays Athletic] Pyramid Passion</ref> n 1906 they moved to the [[New Recreation Ground]], playing there until 2010. After the ground was sold to developers, the club groundshared with [[East Thurrock United F.C.|East Thurrock United]] at their Rookery Hill ground in [[Corringham, Essex|Corringham]].<ref name=BBC>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grays_athletic/8747465.stm Grays Athletic win Ryman League appeal] BBC Sport, 18 June 2010</ref> During the 2012–13 season the club played at Rush Green Stadium in [[Rush Green]], sharing the ground with [[West Ham United F.C. Reserves and Academy|West Ham United's reserves]] who played in the [[Professional Development League]].<ref>[http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/news/grays-athletic-v-west-ham-unit-592756.html Grays Athletic v West Ham United XI] Grays Athletic F.C.</ref> The following season, West Ham pulled out of the deal in June and Grays moved to [[Aveley F.C.|Aveley]]'s Mill Field ground. When Aveley moved to Parkside in 2017, Grays became tenants at the new ground.<ref name=G/> ==Current squad== :{{updated|30 September 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|title=The Team|url=http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/teams/40929/the-team|website=Grays Athletic F.C.|accessdate=19 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Club: Grays Athletic|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.club.grays-athletic..4156..en.html|website=Footballdatabase.eu|accessdate=13 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player: Adeyinka Cole|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.adeyinka.cole.311256.en.html|website=Footballdatabase.eu|accessdate=13 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player: Callum Ibe|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.callum.ibe.330555.en.html|website=Footballdatabase.eu|accessdate=21 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player: Stanley Muguo|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.stanley.muguo.150754.en.html|website=Footballdatabase.eu|accessdate=30 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Player: Richard Halle|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.richard.halle.200580.en.html|website=Footballdatabase.eu|accessdate=30 September 2017}}</ref> {{fs start}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=GK|name=Charley Aldis}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=GK|name=Lamar Johnson}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sam Cross}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Perry Dunn}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=DF|name=Jack Fowler}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Richard Halle}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=DF|name=Brian Kasanda}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ryan Mahal}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Jamie Stuart]]|other=[[Player-coach|Player/manager]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=DF|name=Callum Thompson}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=MF|name=Denzel Adebiyi}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=MF|name=Kai Brown}} {{fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=POR|pos=MF|name=[[Joao Carlos (footballer)|Joao Carlos]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=[[Barry Cogan (footballer)|Barry Cogan]]|[[Captain (association football)|Captain]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Adeyinka Cole}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=James Folkes}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=MF|name=Furo Gogo-Ibiama}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=CMR|pos=MF|name=Stanley Muguo}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Glenn Poole]]}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=|pos=MF|name=Suley Zuhdu}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Kieran Bishop}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Callum Ibe}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Jamie Slabber]]}} {{fs end}} ==Honours== *'''FA Trophy''' **Winners 2004–05, 2005–06 *'''Football Conference''' **Conference South champions 2004–05 *'''Isthmian League''' **Division Two South champions 1984–85 **Division One North champions 2012–13 **League Cup winners: 1991–92 *'''London League''' **Premier Division champions 1921–22, 1926–27, 1929–30 **Premier Division (Amateur) champions 1914–15 **Challenge Cup winners 1936–37 *'''Corinthian League''' **Champions 1945–46 **League Cup winners 1945–46 *'''South Essex League''' **Division Two B champions 1908–09 *'''[[Essex Senior Cup]]''' **Winners 1914–15, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1944–45, 1956–57, 1987–88, 1993–94, 1994–95<ref name=Hon/> *'''Essex Thameside Trophy''' **Winners 1947–48, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 2001–02<ref name=Hon/> *''' East Anglian Cup''' **Winners 1944–45<ref name=Hon/> ==Records== *Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Second round, 2005–06<ref name=FCHD/> *Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Winners, 2004–05, 2005–06<ref name=FCHD/> *Best [[FA Vase]] performance: Fourth round, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1983–84<ref name=FCHD/> *Biggest victory: 12–0 vs [[Tooting & Mitcham F.C.|Tooting Town]], [[London League (football)|London League]], 24 February 1923<ref name=NLCD2017>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) ''Non-League Club Directory 2017'', Tony Williams Publications, p326 {{ISBN|978-1869833695}}</ref> *Biggest defeat: 0–12 vs [[Enfield F.C.|Enfield]], [[Athenian League]], 20 April 1963<ref name=NLCD2017/> *Attendance: 9,500 v [[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City]], [[FA Cup]] fourth qualifying round, 1959<ref name=NLCD2017/> *Most appearances: Phil Sammons, 673 (1982–1997)<ref name=NLCD2017/> *Most goals: Harry Brand, 269 (1944–1952)<ref name=NLCD2017/> *Transfer record fee paid: £12,000 to [[Welling United F.C.|Welling United]] for [[Danny Kedwell]] *Transfer record fee received: £150,000 from [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] for [[Aaron McLean]] ==See also== *[[:Category:Grays Athletic F.C. players|Grays Athletic F.C. players]] *[[:Category:Grays Athletic F.C. managers|Grays Athletic F.C. managers]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/ Official website] {{Isthmian League}} {{coord|51.503494|N|0.26130885|E|display=title}} [[Category:Grays Athletic F.C.| ]] [[Category:Football clubs in England]] [[Category:Football clubs in Essex]] [[Category:Fan-owned English League football clubs]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1890]] [[Category:1890 establishments in England]] [[Category:Sport in Thurrock]] [[Category:Athenian League]] [[Category:London League (football)]] [[Category:Kent Football League (1894–1959)]] [[Category:Corinthian League (football)]] [[Category:Isthmian League]] [[Category:National League (English football)]]'