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Written by Pete Grimes
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Friday, 08 December 2006 |
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Address
The Recreation Ground
Grays, Essex
RM17 6BZ
Map
Official Site
Forum
BBC Essex
Grays Athletic celebrated their Centenary in 1990, and have played at the Recreation Ground, Bridge Road since 1906.
They became very strong after the Second World War, winning the Essex Senior Cup in 1945. Grays helped to form the Corinthian League in 1946 and won both the League and Memorial Shield and were Essex Thameside Trophy winters in 1948.
In 1981 the Club Patron, Mr. Ron Billings, ensured their future at the Rec by purchasing the ground.
Grays won the League Cup with a 3-1 defeat of Enfield in 1991/92. The following season they climbed to sixth spot in the Isthmian League Premier Division and had their best every F.A. Trophy run, going out in a replay at Gateshead. In 93/94 they lost to Canvey Island in a penalty shoot-out in the Essex Thameside Trophy final, but won the County Cup by defeating Billericay.
The following season they repeated their Essex Senior Cup win against Billericay for their 8th County title.
However, league wise the 90's were not good overall and it culminated in relegation to Division 1 at the conclusion of the 96/97 season. But success eventually returned with promotion to the Premier division at the end of the 99/2000 season.
20011 saw the first team finish sixth in the Premier Division and win a place in the First Round of the FA Cup for the second year running. Grays also won the Essex Thamesside Trophy for the eighth time. The introduction of a reserve team brought further success in the shape of the Capital League title (which had not been won by a team outside of the Conference for 17 years) and runners up honours in the league cup.
2003-4 was more positive. In the close season, the Club announced its intention to go full-time and manager Mark Stimson and coach Scott Barrett hosted a series of trials, recruiting a host of talented and motivated young players. The move paid off; Blues notched up some convincing victories, most memorably beating St. Albans 9-1 at home, and star striker Freddy Eastwood bagged 37 goals. A narrow FA Cup 1st Round defeat against Aldershot and a sixth placed league finish provided a signal of the success to come for Mark Stimson's young squad.
The rest as they say, is history. Promotion to the Conference saw a very successful first season and despite Manager Mark Stimson's departure to Stevenage hopes are high again for this season.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 September 2007 )
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