Saturday 2nd January 2016 Kick-off 3.00pm V EAST THURROCK UNITED Ryman League Premier Division At Mill Field, Aveley RM15 4SR SPONSORS: CAROL TILLETT AND PHYLLIS HOLLANDS NEXT HOME MATCH Wednesday 6th January 2016 Kick-off 7.45pm V TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ryman League Premier Division SPONSOR: CAROL TILLETT INSIDE COVER Today’s Saturday 2nd Thoughts From With Line-Ups January 2016 Life-President Glyn Jarvis Good afternoon and a Happy New Year to In comparison, our League record has you all. With an early copy deadline for slipped badly since we were top of the GRAYS ATHLETIC EAST THURROCK UTD this post holiday Match Day Programme League in September. Our first ten League Blue Yellow & Black and some of our volunteers enjoying an games produced seven wins and two FROM: FROM: extended break with their families, I have draws. Since then, the next thirteen out - just managed to complete this introductory ings have produced a disappointing tally of Lamar Johnson (GK) Lucas Lidakevicius (GK) piece before Mark, our programme design - fourteen points with just four wins and two Jay Leader Ashley Miller er and printer at MK Public-ations (UK) Ltd draws, putting us in 12th position, three Jey Siva Sammy Knott pressed the print button! points behind today’s opponents. May I firstly extend a very warm welcome Such is the current League table, that any Jake Hutchings Ryan Scott to the Directors, staff, players and sup - team in the top half going on a decent run Tommy Cummings Rickie Hayles porters of today’s visitors, East Thurrock during a very busy January can put them - Kenny Beaney (c) Ben Wood United. Our local rivals arrive here at Mill selves in the running for honours during Field with a recent record that we can only the last third of the campaign. I know our James Stevens Kye Ruel dream about. The Rocks are the form team management is working hard on the Bradley Tomlinson Daryl Robson team over their last eight League games training ground to improve player perform - Dumebi GB-Dumaka Sam Higgins with six wins and a draw. Extending that ance and is also looking to add some more form guide to their last thirteen League experience to a generally young squad. Joao Carlos Ade Yusuff games, it’s an equally impressive record In the meantime, all we can ask is for our Alex Addai Tom Wraight with eight wins and three draws. So with supporters to do all we can to encourage Roman Michael-Percil Ryan Sammons just two League defeats since 24 October the team in their endeavours. and sitting in 9th place with games in hand Enjoy your afternoon and have a safe Gus Douglas George Craddock over all the teams above them, they are journey home. Luke Ifil Mitchell Gilbey very well placed for a tilt at the play-offs or Glyn Jarvis Glen Little James Walker even better. Their manager, John Coven- Life-President try, has been able to field a much more Mark Bentley Lewis Smith settled side recently as a number of his Harry Agombar players have recovered from early season Perry Tamburrini injuries. Correy Davidson Montel Agyemang From everyone at Danny Burnett-Williams Grays Athletic Football Club, we wish you all a very Happy New Year WANTED. Can anyone please help me obtain the Referee: 2 FA Trophy programmes Home and Away STUART BUTLER from the 2005 Semi-Finals v Burton Albion. Assistant Referees: MARCIN INDYK These are for my own personal ROSS ALExANDER collection and I am happy to pay a NEXT HOME MATCH reasonable price for these. Wednesday 6th January 2016 Kick-off 7.45pm If you can help, please contact Mark the V TONBRIDGE ANGELS Programme designer on 07940 322612 or email Ryman League Premier Division [email protected] Match Sponsor: Carol Tillett Who’s Who at Officials & Grays Athletic Club Grays Athletic Committee Football Club Honours GRAYS ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB (1982) LTD Conference South Founder Member Club: 2004-05 First Team Manager: Mark Bentley Champions: 2004-05 Reserves Manager: Rainer Hein Corinthian League Founder Member Club: 1945-46 Coach/Scout: David Raven Champions: 1945-46 Physiotherapist: Jack Hughes Runners Up: 1956-57, 1954-55, 1951-52 London League Premier Kitman: Sim Madgewick Champions: 1929-30, 1926-27, 1921-22 Youth Development: Rainer Hein Runners Up: 1930-31, 1928-29, 1927-28, 1920-21, 1914-15 Isthmian League Division One Goalkeeping Coach: Robert Lewis Runners Up: 1999-00, 1987-88 Isthmian League North Division Champions: 2012-13 CLUB OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS Isthmian League Division Two South Champions: 1984-85 Chairman: Keith Burns Athenian League Vice Chairman: Danny Swallow Founder Member Club: 1912-13 Runners Up: 1982-83 Chief Executive Officer: Joel Nathan FA Trophy Secretary: Peter Butcher Winners: 2005-06, 2004-05 FA Cup Programme Editor: Glyn Balmer 2nd Round: 2005-06 Assistant Programme Editor: Glyn Jarvis 1st Round: 2008-09, 2003-04, 2001-02, 2000-01, 1988-89, 1952-53 Isthmian League Cup Programme Production: Mark Kettlety (MK Publications) Winners: 1991-92 Website Manager: Rob Seaman Runners Up: 2014-15 Athenian League Cup Fundraising: GAFC 1890 Supporters Trust Runners Up: 1979-80, 1977-78 Stadium Safety Officer: Steve Boughen London League Challenge Cup Winners: 1936-1937 Corinthian Memorial Shield LIFE PRESIDENTS Winners: 1979-80, 1977-78, 1946-47, 1945-46 East Anglian Cup Alan Barnard, Glyn Jarvis, Jamie Lee, Tony Packer Winners: 1944-45 Fred Saxton, Jeff Saxton, John Turner Runners Up: 1954-55, 1943-44 Essex Senior Cup Winners: 1994-95, 1993-94, 1987-88, 1956-57, 1944-45, 1922-23, GRAYS ATHLETIC 1890 SUPPORTERS TRUST 1920-21, 1914-15 Runners Up: 2012-13, 1988-89, 1965-66, 1957-58, 1954-55, 1953-54, Chairman: Fred Wakeling 1952-53, 1925-26, 1923-24, 1919-20 Vice Chairman: Steve Skinner Essex Thameside Trophy Winners: 2001-02, 1990-91, 1988-89, 1987-88, 1980-81, 1978-79, Secretary: David Barnes 1947-48 Treasurer: Anthony Auger Runners Up: 1993-94, 1985-86, 1984-85, 1968-69, 1961-62, 1958-59, 1945-46 Essex Elizabethan Trophy Registered Office : 21 St Johns Road, Chadwell St Mary, Winners: 1976-77 Essex RM16 4JU Registered Number: 01651326 Runners Up: 1965-66 Prediction Who Will Win Ryman League Directory League This Season? Premier Division Of Clubs League Table 2015-2016 as at 5pm, 25th John M 1443 Billericay Town FC “The Blues” New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9SA Saturday 26th December 2015 26th Kris 1440 http://www.billericaytownfc.co.uk/ 27th PDoc1967 1439* Bognor Regis Town FC “The Rocks”Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2TY 1st Glynbo 1887 28th Tony Packer 1436* http://www.therocks.co.uk/ 2nd Flintstone 1877 29th Gazza56 1414 Brentwood Town FC “The Blues” The Arena, Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, 3rd Graysgooner 1791 30th Mickyrod 1371 Essex CM15 9NN http://brentwoodtownfc.co.uk/ 4th Stewieg 1776 31st Coursie 1368* Burgess Hill FC “The Hillians” Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill,West Sussex 5th Ashingdonblue 1717 32nd Elizabeth 1354* RH15 8DL http://www.bhtfc.co.uk/ 6th Miller 1714 33rd Mr Bridger 1310* Canvey Island FC “The Gulls”The Prospect Stadium, Park Lane, Canvey Island, Essex, 7th Graham 1712 34th Grayscan 1304* SS8 7PX http://canveyislandfc.com/home 8th Magic 1703* 35th Rhino1890 1300 Dulwich Hamlet FC “The Hamlet” Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, 9th TerryTibbs 1890 1680 36th David 1277 East Dulwich, London, SE22 8DB http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/ 10th Stiffordblue 1606 37th Stephen 1247 East Thurrock United FC “The Rocks” Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex, SS17 9LB 11th Brian 1590 38th Welchandmahoney 934 http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/eastthurrockunited/ 12th Pasha 1588 Enfield Town FC “Towners” Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Donkey Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, 13th Robbo 1580 * indicates missed prediction EN1 3PL http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/enfieldtown/ 14th Graysblue 1568 Farnborough FC “Boro” Cherrywood Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8UD 15th Gwatts 1531 Top 5 Monthly http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/ 16th Muttley 1527 Graysgooner 349 Grays Athletic FC “The Blues” Mill Field, Aveley, Essex, RM15 4SJ (Groundsharing with 17th Shepherd 1522 Mr Bridger 322 Aveley FC) http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/graysathletic/ 18th= Kim Ross 1499 Shepherd 314 Hampton & R.B. FC “The Beavers” The Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Station Road, Hampton, 18th= Jack C 1499* Flintstone 292 Middlesex, TW12 2BX 20th JDockerill205 1498 Terrytibbs1890 275 http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hamptonrichmondboroughfc/ 21st Blueblood 1477 Harrow Borough FC “The Boro” Earlsmead, Corylean Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8SS 22nd Teamtalksrus 1475 Monthly Winner http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/harrowborough/ 23rd Wolfie 1450 Graysgooner Hendon FC “The Greens” Earlsmead, Corylean Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, 24th Don 1444 HA2 8SS (Groundsharing with Harrow Borough FC) http://www.hendonfc.net/ Kingstonian FC “The K’s” Kingsmeadow Stadium, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 3PB (Groundsharing with AFC Wimbledon) PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING. http://www.kingstonian.com/ The following are arrestable offences under the Football (Offences & Disorder) Leatherhead FC “The Tanners” Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, Act 1999. KT22 9AS http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leatherhead/ 1. Throwing of an object within the ground without lawful authority or excuse. Leiston FC “The Blues” Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leistonfc/ 2. The chanting of anything indecent, racial or homophobic comments Lewes FC “The Rooks” The Dripping Pan, Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3XD http://www.lewesfc.com/ 3. Entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally Merstham FC “The Moatsiders ” Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3QB admitted without lawful authority or excuse. Conviction could result in a Football Banning http://www.mersthamfc.co.uk/ Metropolitan Police FC “The Blues”Imber Court, Sports Ground, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Order being made for ALL grounds in the country, together with the surrender of passport Surrey, KT8 0BT http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/metropolitanpolicefc/ whenever England are playing abroad. Needham Market FC “The Marketmen” ‘Bloomfields’ Quinton Road, Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8DA http://www.needhammarketfc.co.uk 4. Alcohol may not be consumed with sight of the playing surface (The club may at its dis - Staines Town FC “The Swans” Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Ln, Staines, Middlesex cretion relax this rule, by using plastic glasses for friendly fixtures). TW18 2PD http://stainestownfootballclub.co.uk/ Tonbridge Angels FC “The Angels” Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent, Any breach of these regulations will lead in the first instance to ejection from the ground, TN10 3JF http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/tonbridgeangelsfc / but could also lead to the suspension of season tickets, and Grays Athletic and the Police VCD Athletic FC “The Vickers”Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent, DA1 4DN issuing a football banning order. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/vcdathleticfc/ Grays Athletic wish to encourage families and genuine supporters to visit home matches Wingate & Finchley FC “The Blues” The Harry Abrahams Stadium, Sumners Lane, Finchley, and hope they enjoy the match-day experience in a safe and friendly atmosphere. London, N12 0PD http://www.wingatefinchley.com/ Benno & His With Blue Notes Mark Bentley Good afternoon and welcome to Aveley for our game against our Essex rivals East Thurrock. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New year. It hasn't been ideal for our last two fix - tures to be cancelled due to waterlogged pitches but has given the boys a chance to have a good break and recharge their bat - teries heading into the second half of the season. Being the holiday period we have managed to get the lads in for a couple of morning sessions which has enabled us to spend some more time on the training field working on things which we find hard to during usual evening sessions. The lads have worked hard and hopefully have taken on board the information from the “We have spoken training field and will carry that over to the pitch. It's been a couple of weeks since the many times Dulwich defeat where once again we left the pitch disappointed and frustrated that about the we have not taken anything from the game. We have spoken many times about importance of the importance of taking your chances especially against sides like Dulwich who I taking your believe will be right up there come the end of the season. We had good early chances chances in that game but failed to take them. It always leaves you vulnerable and when you come up against good sides they will especially against punish you. Although we got ourselves a somewhat sides like fortuitous penalty to get level, we seemed to lose focus after the commotion from the Dulwich” Dulwich players toward the officials. I was very frustrated by the way we lost the ple of fresh faces into the squad just to game but after I had time to reflect I don't keep everyone on their toes. think we actually played that badly in Today we face an East Thurrock side who tough conditions. We do however need to are on a good run of form and have some start being more convincing in front of very good players, so we certainly must be goal, like the Staines game where we up for a very tough game. Being another scored 4 out of probably 6 chances. Essex derby I expect my team to be well Consistency is also an issue at the moment up for a physical battle and must take our and I will be looking to improve that very chances when they come. quickly. It may be a case of getting a cou - Enjoy the game Benno Grays Athletic Match Grays Athletic With thanks to FC Report On Film Peter Jackson GRAYS ATHLETIC 1 first real shot at goal came in the 28th DULWICH HAMLET 2 minute through a free kick which SATURDAY 19TH Lamar Johnson saved well. Dulwich DECEMBER 2015 were quite prepared to hustle and MATCH REPORT courtesy of harry for a point or three. A free kick www.yourthurrock.com on the edge of the box went into the GRAYS Athletic lost a thrilling and ill- wall as Grays stood tall. Hamlet’s first tempered encounter at the Mill Field piece of action in the second half was on Saturday afternoon. a free kick that drifted over the bar It will be interesting to see what the and away. Dean McDonald looked officials think of conduct of not only nippy but they really hadn’t got into the players but also the management. their stride. Two of them were sent to the stands McDonald hit the post in the 52nd after a constant diet of foul and abu - minute as if to signal his intent. And sive language. Strangely enough the sure enough he pounced on a Grays game started fairly tamely and the Ath mistake to slip the ball in and league leaders found it hard to get score in the 55th minute. into their rhythm. Harry Agombar has struggled to get Grays first task was to see how they into the game but he managed hit the would cope without top scorer Dumebi post in the 58th minute. But Grays GB-Dumaka and throughout the game stuck to their task and in the 67th they coped quite well. Dulwich looked minute got something of a lucky break Hendon like a team at the top as they were when they were given a penalty when v very swift in attack but didn't have the it appeared that the Dulwich defender final touch for a long period of the got the ball cleanly in a tackle. Grays Athletic game. Joao Carlos looked lively early Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson scored on and was clearly irritating defender from the spot. Mitchell Nelson. Dulwich were being The game descended into chaos. given far too much space by the Grays Dulwich players had protested vehe - defender as they played neat one- mently regarding the decision and twos. Carlos should have scored in the after Grays scored they did not stop. eighth minute when Luke Ifil produced Danny Waldren was sent off. The a great twenty yard cross. Carlos got game was set up for a full blooded past both a defender and the keeper final fifteen minutes but Dulwich but his shot was headed off the line. Hamlet had lost their rhythm. Grays Both teams were struggling with the found it hard to punish them and as bobbly surface. the atmosphere became increasingly Dulwich conceded a penalty in the bitter, you wondered if the Grays play - 19th minute when Carlos was bundled ers were letting it get to them. But over in the box but Harry Agombar’s this was a resolute Dulwich who clear - kick was very weak and it went ly do not give up. In the 90th minute, straight at keeper Phil Wilson. But they scored after a Damian Scannell Grays did not let their heads go down free kick floated over two Grays and continued to enjoy the majority of defenders and in. Dulwich went mad. the play. Mitchell Nelson went into the There were ugly scenes at the end book for a foul on Carlos. Hamlet’s which did not go un-noticed. Grays Athletic Stadium The Club currently requires additional help on match days in FC News a variety of different roles including the following: *** STADIUM NEWS *** * Assistance in the Board Room * Programme / Raffle Sales CLUB’S RELOCATION PLANS TAKE A BIG STEP FORWARD * Operate on various gates throughout the ground * Ballboys The Club is pleased to report that details of the planned location of our “Relocation Back to Grays” project will be announced as soon as possible If you would like to be part of the team, and are able to commit to in the New Year following a recent meeting with Thurrock Council and a number of set dates throughout the season, please see any Club other stakeholders. Official in person, or contact via email ([email protected]) Further key meetings are scheduled for the New Year as we work with our partners on the layout of the facilities we hope to provide for Club If you can help, you wouldn't be expected to keep with the same and community use. As soon as these meetings have taken place, we will position all season, and we are looking at putting be able to give supporters more information on our proposals. together a rota once we know who we have available. We do hope that all our supporters will understand the sensitivity of Quiz Answers such discussions and therefore the Club will make no further announce - 1. Rangers (after the clubs found - ment until next year. ing fathers saw the name in a book and decided they liked it) 2. Italy (although he was born in Darlington) 3. Iran 4. Eric Cantona, for Leeds v Man Utd 5. a) Everton b) Manchester City c) Tottenham Hotspur d) Blackburn Rovers 6. London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, Stoke 7. Tranmere Rovers 8. Manchester City 9. The theme tune of Match of the Day 10. Dean Richards, Carl Cort, Kevin Davies, Dean Ashton, Nigel Reo-Coker Half-Time Courtesy of Quiz Glyn Balmer 1. Which Scottish football club was named after an English rugby team?
2. Giuseppe Wilson won 3 interna - tional football caps for which coun - try?
3. With 109 goals, Ali Daei is the leading all time goal scorer in inter - national football, but for which coun - try did he play?
4. Which player scored a hat-trick in the Charity Shield for the reigning champions before winning the title with the team he scored against later the same season?
5. Which Premier League clubs have these Latin inscriptions on their badges? a) Nil satis nisi optimum b) Superbia in proelia c) Audere est facere 8. Which team boasts the biggest d) Arte et labore pitch in the Premier League at 116 x 77 yards? 6. Which are the 8 English towns or cities that could host league derby 9. How is the song “Offside” by Barry matches (assuming both teams were Stroller better known? in the same division)? 10. Name the 5 English players who 7. ESPN presenter Ray Stubbs(pic - have cost over £7 million each but tured) was on the books of which have never played for England. English club? encounter at Hampton. Tomlinson was alert saving well from Hutchinson. On 79 posing a real threat playing on the last minutes Blues got their fourth with defender. However, he found himself Tomlinson claiming his hat-trick. A high flagged for offside on a number of occa - ball forward was allowed to bounce by the sions but it looked as though at some stage hapless Purse, Tomlinson outmuscled the he would spring the offside trap, which he burly centre back leaving Turner exposed did in the 60th minute. A pinpoint pass from he calmly rolled the ball home to round off Kenny Beaney saw the Blues’ striker one on what was a match-winning display. The one with Purse driving forward he easily goal seems to drain any fight from the outpaced the ageing legs of the Staines home side and Blues comfortably saw out man as Turner advanced he coolly slotted the remaining minutes, registering their the ball into the bottom corner. The goal biggest league win since a similar score was no more than Blues deserved, having against Brentwood earlier in the season. looked comfortable in the second period. Coupled with a clean sheet it was a valu - Staines huffed and puffed without carving able win and the three points keeps them out any clear cut opportunities with Leader in the playoff hunt. The only downside of and Jake Hutchins working well together at the evening was the injury to top scorer the heart of the defence. The home side GB-Dumaka, which looks likely to keep him were still looking to get on the score sheet out for a couple of weeks. but their play became more rushed with FT 0-4 passes over hit although Johnson had to be Grays Athletic Fundraising FC News GAFC SUPPORTERS TRUST UPDATE ON THE “12TH MAN” SCHEME AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 This new fundraiser for the Club was introduced by the Supporters Trust at the start of the 2015-16 season. Its aim is to help the Club meet the cost of players’ travel and out of pocket expenses. Supporters have been making donations to the scheme since the first game of the season, covering wins, draws, clean sheets and goals scored, plus a general monthly contribution to support the Club. So far, after thirty-six first team games, the team has come out on top on eight - een occasions, drawn six times, collected thirteen clean sheets and scored sixty- five goals. With the contributions made to the end of December by supporters, more than £2,900 has already been handed over to the Club. With twenty-three league games still to be played during the four months from January through to April and pledges of over £800 already made for this period, it is hoped that the team continues to be successful on the pitch. If it is, the pre-season plan that over £4,000 could be raised through the scheme for the season should be comfortably reached, with perhaps even £5,000 in our sights. The Board of the Club is extremely grateful for these funds, as while we do not have the income flows that can be generated from having our own ground, these monies are vital to our progress. Supporters can join the scheme at any time. Just see Trust Treasurer, Anthony Auger, or Secretary, David Barnes at any game – home or away – and they will be delighted to give you an application form to complete. Grays Match Grays Club Athletic FC Report Athletic FC 125 MATCH REPORT by The Mariner Blues began to show why they led the This page details supporters and businesses who have purchased a season ticket for STAINES TOWN 0-4 GRAYS ATHLETIC table early season with some quick decisive 2015-2016, our 125th Anniversary season. The club and Trust wish to send our thanks to TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2015 raids. The lively Michael-Percil looked back Manager Mark Bentley questioned the to his best with some pacey runs, one such all, and hope they enjoy their season ticket. players’ desire and commitment after forcing a good save from Turner. A great Glyn Jarvis Ben Wayment Saturday's disappointing defeat at Hampton move between Michael-Percil and hoping for a reaction against Staines, and Tomlinson saw GB-Dumaka with a scoring Fred Wakeling Oscar Wayment he certainly got one with the Blues sweep - opportunity - the ball deflecting for a cor - Steve Skinner George Watts ing their hosts aside inspired by a Bradley ner following a quick challenge from Purse. Charlie Skinner David Barnes Fortnam-Tomlinson hat trick. Jey Siva, Jake In stretching for the ball GB-Dumaka Hutchings and Roman Michael-Percil came appeared to tweak his hamstring. After Glyn Balmer David Barnes - Community Chest (1) into the starting eleven and all made a vital lengthy treatment he was replaced by Alan Roberts David Barnes - Community Chest (2) contribution to the victory. Harry Agombar. From the resultant corner Blues started the game brightly looking Siva swung in a teasing ball met by the Mick Green Phyllis Hollands sharp and moving the ball quickly with both head of Leader who rose unchallenged to Stewart Goshawk Carol Tillett Joao Carlos and Michael-Percil seeing plen - power the ball past Turner putting Blues Alan Webb Colin Tillett ty of the ball out wide. The first opportuni - two up with 40 minutes on the clock. ty for Grays fell to Montel Agyemang. Chances came and went at either end and Rebecca Webb Graham Deats Receiving the ball from Carlos he ignored then on the stroke of half time Staines Anne Paveley Jennie Deats Siva's clever overlap, electing to shoot but were offered a lifeline when Johnson, in a failed to trouble Turner with the ball sailing rush of blood, careered from his line bring - John Paveley Wayne Durrell harmlessly over. The opening quarter saw ing down Wanadio. On another night he Brian Page Phillip Parker both sides looking for a goal scoring oppor - could well have earned a red rather than Phil Boston Martin Howes tunity with GB-Dumaka coming close for the the yellow card he did receive. The keeper Blues with a snapshot just fizzing over, quickly went from villain to hero saving Peter Symons Jack Howes whilst at the other end Lamar Johnson did Cox's kick to preserve the Blues two goal Peter Symons (2) David Seaman well to claim the ball from a Cox header. advantage. Johnson was called into action moments HT 0-2 Steve Allen Kim Ross later, saving from winger Kalu who Staines emerged a good five minutes R J Bloomfield Peter Jackson unleashed a powerful effort after a mazy before the restart evidence of a far from Mike Love Peter Sheppard (Prediction League Winner 2014-15) run down Blues’ left flank. happy home manager Steve Shorey. The Carlos and Siva were combining well out dressing down they must obviously have Alan England Traitors Gate wide with Siva making some intelligent received down to Blues’ more determined Essex Tarpaulin The Trop Shop overlaps, creating space for his trademark approach in the first period. The hosts crosses and with the midfield showing more forced an early corner. Carlos cleared the ET Marine Grayers Graphics purpose and pace Blues continued to ask danger which just illustrated the work ethic Smiths Orchard Garden Centre Paragon Independent Ltd questions of the home defenders. The Blues now employed. Grays were looking to Tag Construction Affordable Carpets breakthrough came in the 23rd minute exploit the lack of pace in the home moments after Johnson again did well to defence, targeting veteran pro Purse both KB Coaches Anthony Auger get to a deflected drive from Wanadio. Tomlinson and Michael-Percil looked to Essex Industrial Clarendon Blues counter attacked with Siva again take him on at every opportunity. Michael- prominent. From his throw Tomlinson Percil caused panic with another good run Tilbury Tiles The Ship picked the ball up, cutting in to the edge of with the Staines’ defenders scrambling the The White Hart the box he let fly with a low drive beating ball away only to find Carlos whose first Turner at his near post. Staines - stung by time effort deflected for a corner. Staines the goal - forced Blues back winning a suc - for their part plugged away but without The list will be updated throughout the season as more season tickets are sold. For full cession of corners all dealt with comfortably threatening the Blues’ goal as had been the details of the season ticket packages available please visit by the visitors, although Jay Leader made case in the first period. an uncharacteristic error misjudging a long Grays’ midfield were content to retain http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/news/201516-season-ticket-packages-1432320.html kick from Turner allowing Cox a run on goal. possession moving the ball between them, Johnson spared the defender’s blushes with consequently the ball retention showed a a smart block. marked improvement from Saturday's Raven's By On This 2nd Ramblings David Raven Day In History January Happy new year! better with his fantasy football team - and 1971: Sixty-six die in A million years ago a bunch of million - the Mancunian voodoo doll manufacturers Scottish football disaster aire's playthings (billionaires hadn't been are out of LG Vans stock while the Sixty-six football supporters have been invented yet) became rather scared that media froths at the collective mouth to get killed following a match between Old Firm they might have to ply their trades on a the poor man the sack from Rooney United rivals Celtic and Rangers at the Ibrox Park level playing field so they threatened to just so they can say they predicted it. The stadium in Glasgow. The disaster occurred form a breakaway league to include only supporters don't help...how dare their when crush barriers collapsed as thou - the best teams in Europe. The plan was team only be in sixth position! The Toon sands of fans made their way out of the modified slightly to restrict entry to teams Army are wishing they had The Muppet stadium. that might be good enough but didn't gen - back to replace the Brollyman... it's better Initial reports suggest the tragedy, which erate enough cash. Not so long ago than real life and it's all available for happened on stairway 13 of the stadium, Arsenal Whinger predicted that revenue free. For now. was caused when hundreds of Rangers pressure on the elite teams would see this The famous military little fella who lent fans began leaving the match early believ - breakaway league formed by 2020...just his name, whether he liked it or not, to the ing Celtic had won. Jimmy Johnstone had five years from now. Napoleonic wars was particularly fond of scored for Celtic with just a minute to go, UEFA originally poured water on the idea the howitzer, an artillery piece with a short but Colin Stein scored an equalising goal by introducing the Champions League barrel and comparitively less propellant for Rangers during injury time causing a by ambulance." which was designed as a cash cow to be that launched projectiles with a high tra - huge roar to erupt inside the stadium. Eighteen-year-old Margaret Ferguson was milked by those clubs that see themselves jectory and a steep descent. Basically, it According to eye-witnesses, fans attempt - the only female fan to be killed in the as a sporting bourgeoisie – let’s face it, a launched the ball long and high with less ing to get back up the stairs after hearing tragedy. Alick Buchanan-Smith, Scottish few short years ago Chelski and Citeh were effort. Why would you want to do anything the roar, collided head-on with those com - minister for Home Affairs, has called for an small clubs but are no longer considered as else? On a recent rambling I was at a game ing down the stairs. Rescuers, who were immediate inquiry into the disaster. such because of their financial clout - but where the pitch really did make Crickle- on the scene within minutes, tried to force all of a sudden the kings in their counting fields look like a bowling green so to a their way through the crowds, but their In Context houses are realising that you don't get degree you can understand why the team efforts were mostly in vain. One man who much of it back when you invest in a fitba that knows the surface best didn't want the A public inquiry later discounted the initial managed to struggle out of the crush, team and so we are seeing a levelling of round thing to get stuck on it. version of events which suggested fans had described the scene. "I was making my the playing fields all over the continent. There was an amusing moment when a been attempting to go back up the stairway. way out of the stadium down the stairs There are teams in many of the major visiting player surged forward then started It is now believed the crush was caused when suddenly everything seemed to football leagues sitting in the European to moonwalk as he hit the quicksand and simply by the downward force of so many stop," he said. "The lads at the back just places without spending anywhere near the slowest player on the pitch caught up supporters leaving at the same time. The the amounts of money the usual suspects and deftly nicked the ball from his toes. kept coming forward down the stairs. I momentum of the crowd meant that once and media favourites do and it's turning Cue the second half and a bit of wind and went down with the rest of the crowd, people started to fall, there was no way of into a real issue. Strange names like a 45 minute demonstration of howitzer being pushed and pulled onto the ground. holding the mass of bodies back. Leicester City, Celta Vigo, Hertha Berlin, ball...long ball would not and could not Everyone was struggling to get out, suffo - The disaster remains the worst in the his - Sassuolo and Heracles are suddenly adequately describe the indefensible cating - it was essentially a fight for sur - tory of Scottish football and is surpassed appearing on TV screens and in newspaper crimes against football. Most cringeworthy vival. After 10 or 15 minutes I was dragged only by the Hillsborough tragedy in British articles that cover the big five leagues in were the partisan supporters who were on out by a policeman and brought to hospital football. European football. While it's capturing the their feet applauding and crying "great Selection of matches on this day imagination of the supporters it's scaring football" every time their goalkeeper land - 1914-15 FA Amateur Cup 1st Round H Charlton Athletic W4-1 the bejeezus out of the advertising execu - ed one of the edge of the opposition box 1931-32 London League Premier A Chelmsford L1-3 tives, the sponsors and the billionaire own - and their strikers chased it out of play. 1936-37 London League A Tooting & Mitcham United L0-1 ers so don't be surprised if that breakaway After the recent fixture lottery it's fingers 1942-43 Essex County Red Cross Cup A Hoffmans Athletic L2-3 league starts hitting the top of the agendas and toes crossed that we welcome East 1959-60 Athenian League H Redhill D2-2 with frightened clubs making a bid to be on Thurrock to Mill Field today. Covo's lads 1964-65 FA Amateur Cup 1st Round A Wealdstone L0-3 board before the ship sails! have been on a great run and have scored 1970-71 Athenian League Premier A Harwich & Parkeston L0-2 What a great few weeks it's been in the 54 goals in the league and are making a 1977-78 Athenian League A Erith & Belvedere D1-1 1983-84 Isthmian League Division Two H Basildon United L0-1 premier soap opera we call football. Not an bid for the play-offs. We really do have to 1987-88 Isthmian League Division One H Staines Town D1-1 awful lot going on with the international shake off the festive cobwebs and will 1995-96 Isthmian League Premier Division H Hayes D3-3 spice station so the attention really has need to be at our best to get something 1998-99 Isthmian League Division One A Chertsey Town D2-2 been well and truly on Blighty. The special out of what should be a cracking derby and 2005-06 Football Conference National A Canvey Island L1-2 one is unemployed having been replaced hopefully a great way to start the new 2011-12 Isthmian League Division One North A Great Wakering Rovers W1-0 by Hoodwinked – who hasn't fared much year. Time to ramble on... 2012-13 Isthmian League Division One North H Romford W3-2 Grays Athletic Player Grays Athletic Unofficial FC Q & A FC Fans’ Forum The first in an occasional series of player MAN OF THE MATCH AND PLAYER OF our 1-0 home defeat to VCD and Bradley question and answer sessions with our very Best ground played at: Old Trafford THE MONTH SELECTIONS Tomlinson who was voted ‘Man of the Match’ own Quiz Inquizitor David “Bamber” Raven. Best player you have played with: Jack DECEMBER 2015 after netting a terrific hat-trick in our soli - tary win of the month at Staines. The run - Wilshere and Yaser Kasim Supporters have an opportunity to vote for ner-up was goalkeeper, Lamar Johnson, who Name: Harry George Agombar Best player you have played against: their Man of the Match after every first team was outstanding in restricting the score line Age: 23 Gareth Bale (Swindon v Spurs) game this season. All you have to do is reg - at Hampton, earning himself the ‘Man of the Position: CM/CAM ister on the fans’ forum at http://graysath - Match’ accolade. From: Loughton, Essex First off the training ground: Bradley leticfc.proboards.com/, go to the section The winner in December, for the second ‘Man of the Match’ and cast your vote. month in succession and the third time this Day job: Sleeping Tomlinson Each month all the votes are added togeth - season, was our accomplished defender, Jay Last off the training ground: Kenny er to determine the ‘Player of the Month’ Leader (below), who polled over 20% of the Favourite food: Thai Beaney and the results are reported here in this votes cast. He produced ‘Man of the Match’ Favourite film: Carlitos Way King of Comedy: Glen Little Match Day Programme. There is a bottle of Favourite music: RnB Victor Meldrew Award: Kenny Beaney champagne for the winner, donated by a supporter. Favourite TV: The Office For December, we are delighted that Grays Not a lot of people know that: I love Pre-match ritual or superstition: Tom Athletic Supporters Trust Chairman and Barcelona FC tit and a dig in the grave long, long time supporter, Fred Wakeling, is Favourite moment in Blue: Conference this month’s sponsor. Thank you, Fred. He 2nd club after The Blues: Manchester debut as a 16 year old will have the pleasure of presenting the bub - bly to our winner before this afternoon’s United Getting the blues in Blue: Losing to match. Enfield Town in the play-off semi-final and Following our seventeen wins and five Best player in the world: The God Messi getting relegated last day of the season at draws in our thirty games between August Best Player Ever: Leo Messi home in the Conference and November, we stumbled in December, Which player would light up the pre - Best moment in football: football league with just one win and a draw from our six games. The win was the emphatic four nil mier league?: Neymar debut for Swindon Town success at Staines and we shared four goals at Harrow against their tenants, Hendon. A last minute defeat at Corinthian Casuals in the F A Trophy and league defeats away at Hampton and at home to VCD and Dulwich Hamlet, saw up slip to 12th place in the League table. We scored just eight goals and conceded nine during the month. Based on your votes, the ‘Man of the Match’ for each match was as follows :
Corinthian-Casuals (a) lost 0-1 – Jay Leader VCD (h) lost 0-1 – Sean Cronin Hendon (a) drew 2-2 – Tommy Cummings Hampton (a) lost 1-3 – Lamar Johnson performances, albeit in defeats, against Staines (a) won 4 -0 – Bradley Tomlinson Corinthian-Casuals and Dulwich Hamlet. Dulwich Hamlet (h) lost 1-2 – Jay Leader Congratulations yet again, Jay! We must also again thank Glyn Balmer, our It was a tight race again this time for the Programme Editor and Supporters Trust ‘Player of the Month’ Award, with four play - Membership Secretary and Phil Boston. ers in the running, who polled over 70% of After each game they publish the squad of the total votes cast. players involved in the match on the fans’ In joint third place, it was defender Sean forum, so we can all cast our vote for our Cronin who was the ‘Man of the Match’ in choice of best player. M K Publications (UK) Ltd Grays Athletic With thanks to Football Matc hday Programmes & Souvenir Design Printers On Film Peter Jackson Tel. 01277 636149 - Mob. 07940 322612 - E. [email protected] M!% ATCHDAY PROGRAMM E S 89&'1.8-*) .3 :'1.(&9.438 " 9) -&;* )*8.,3*) &3) 574):(*) 9-4:8&3)8 4+ +449'&11 574,7&22*8 +47 -:3)7*)8 4+ (1:'8 Established in 1988, MK Publications (#* (:77*391> 574):(* +47 UK) Ltd have des *2. 74+*88.43&1 1:'8 &3) +47 igned and produced &9:7)&> :3)&> #42*38 &3) %4:9- 449'&11 *&,:*8 &3) 4:39> t884(.&9.438 #* 574):(*) 4;*7 ).++*7*39 :5 .3&1 housands of football programmes for 574,7&22*8 1&89 8*&843 #* -&;* 7*(*391> 5:7(-&8*) (414:7 h57.39*78 &3) (&3 34< 4++*7 (414:7 94 4:7 5:'1.(&9.438 undreds of clubs. We currently produce f !or 10 Semi- P ! 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An ideal Birthday or Xmas present or even to celebrate your local football # ! ! teams achievements. #* (&3 34< 574):(* Handy for special occasions, Charity match - +:11 8.?* 5489*78 &3) '&33*78 43 4:7 3*< es, Tournaments, etc. All printed on our new <.)* +472&9 51499*7 .3 Colour Sublimation Paper Printer and hot Hendon +:11 (414:7 :'1.(.8* >4:7 84(.&1 transfered with our new Mug Press. Prices *;*39 <.9- 4:7 ;*7> v *(4342.(&11> 57.(*) are just £4.99p per Mug. 5489*78 CA = CA &33*78 +47 Grays Athletic W&);*798.3, 85438478 47IDE FORMAT BANNERS & POSTERS +47 49-*7 84(.&1 *;*398We can now produce full size posters and 8:(- &8 (-.1)7*38 5&79.*8 *9( b!:73 >4:7 9*&2 47 &(9.43 5-494C8 .394 5489*7 8.?* +47 >4:7 (1:'-4:8* <&11anners on our new wide format plotter in full colour. 8’0” x 2’0” Banners for advertsing sponsors or for other social events such as childrens parties etc. 74 2/274 /266)4 ! 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Publicise your social event with our very economically priced posters. Turn your team or action photo’s into poster size for your clubhouse wall. Regular The Wanderer Grays Athletic GAFC Feature (Continued) FC Supporters Trust type of club. How do we get there? People of how difficult life is and the value of a pound. Two weeks without my football fix has for the boys and hope we witness a full- expected us to go into the market and buy the ‘I didn’t really have a father figure as we were made me appreciate Christmas even more blooded local derby, culminating in a well- best players because of the money we had. It a one-parent family, but I never saw the differ - was, “Well, we’ll go and get Kaka”, but we ence between friends of mine who had a mum ! I have to admit that I wasn’t overly dis - deserved three points for the boys in blue. couldn’t even get in the room with him. It did - and dad in terms of the clothes I was wearing. appointed (or surprised) to see that the Come on you Blues ! n’t matter how much money we had. It was a My mum was working, so when she wasn’t joke. ‘It wasn’t the Man City of today, a world there my gran was there. I had to stand on my Brentwood game was off due to a water - Glyn Balmer (glynbo), Membership power, but we had to try and find a way. In own two feet, because sometimes mum was logged pitch, as the 1pm kick off would Secretary, Grays Athletic 1890 terms of the learning experience and under - gone before I woke up and I had to get myself standing how people react it was invaluable. ready for school. You’re shaped by your own have made it difficult for me to make from Supporters Trust OK, results didn’t go particularly well so I was experiences, I’m sure.’ my new found base in deepest darkest East at risk, but there were a lot power bases. The largely unearned wealth of the game has You’d see people thinking, uh oh, I’ve got to changed its dynamics, because the workforce is Sussex (so much nicer than West Sussex!). HELP US TO HELP YOU! protect myself here. increasingly cosmopolitan. Like all leading It’s not the journey time which would have GAFC 1890 SUPPORTERS TRUST ‘Football magnifies human behaviour. The managers, Hughes has had to develop discre - only way you can keep things stable is by win - tion, due to the diversity of his dressing room. caused an issue, more that I was on in-law Every month the GAFC 1890 Supporters ning football matches and there’s only the top ‘Ours is more British-based, I’d suggest, so you chauffeur duty that day. I know my place. Trust holds an update meeting. High on the five or six clubs that can win consistently. The can dig people out on occasion. You have to be rest of us need good owners, good CEOs who more conscious that different nationalities can’t So, thinks I, if the Grays Athletic game is agenda each month is how best to commu - understand the game, like I’ve got here at deal with being confronted with people. You off, maybe this will give me a chance to nicate the items discussed at the meeting Stoke. It was always only a matter of time have to pull them out individually, or you lose before I was going to be replaced at City. I them totally.’ Recruitment at Stoke, a notable acquaint myself with my local team of to the Trust membership and supporters in thought there were two or three times I would success, is a modern collegiate process involv - Crowborough Town from the lofty Southern general. As members will be aware, we be sacked, but I made it into a second year. ing a technical director, who accepts Hughes The decision was taken after the Hull game, has the final say on transfers. Preparation is Counties East Football League, who were request an email address on the member - which we drew. scientific and, judging by his eagerness to playing at home to Sevenoaks Town. Alas, ship form and it is our hope that we can ‘Khaldoon, the chairman, flew in for the share the secrets if his loose-leaf folder, a Chelsea game because the expectation was we source of some pride. once again the chauffeur duties took prior - use email as the principal method of com - would lose and he could sack me. We won, so ‘Every session I’ve done since I became a ity and I arrived back 15 minutes into the munication with Trust members. This is he flew back out. He flew back again and we manager is in here. Every session is logged, so beat Arsenal in the FA Cup and flew out again. when we have a similar phase of games, I can second half – too late to make the visit especially important when we are dis - Eventually, we beat Sunderland 4-3, but he’d refer back to them. We work on load and worthwhile. Happily, Crowborough came cussing any financial matters in and made his mind up, so I was toast.’ Hughes intensity, but also on freshness. Logic tells you learned to ski during a six-month break, began if they’re not fresh at the weekend they’re not away with a 3-1 victory, so all was not lost. around the Trust since – naturally – only to keep a reflective diary, but made a series of going to perform, so the quality of work has to As you will hopefully have seen on the Trust members are entitled to see Trust errors which hinted at an underlying confusion. be right and the quantity accurate. Science He caused mortal offence by leaving Fulham to tells you that by increasing the workload every unofficial forum, we are hoping to run a financial information. find a club which matched his supposed ambi - week, they should be getting stronger, but still supporters coach to our away fixture at The purpose of this short article is to tion and walked blindly into the man trap at be as fresh at the end as they were at the Loftus Road. His loyalty to his friend and advis - beginning. Some teams peak, get to Christmas Needham Market on Tuesday 12th January request all Trust members to send a confir - er Kia Joorabchian, a controversial figure who and fall off the edge of the cliff. My teams 2016, leaving The Oak around 5pm. If you mation email to Yours Truly at the email exposed Hughes to accusations of vested inter - don’t usually do that. When you get it right as ests was admirable, in its way, but reckless. a manager it is undoubtedly as fulfilling as are interested in joining us, please contact address below, so I may update the mem - ‘I think when I came to Stoke, the club was scoring a winning goal because the responsibil - either David Barnes or Mike Love, who bership records accordingly. The Trust fully ready to do things in a different way on a lot of ity lies with you. ‘I think I can achieve things levels. I could be honest. Nobody’s right, here. We are in a league where there is a huge have valiantly stepped up to the mark as appreciates that not all members possess nobody’s wrong. You’re only right if you win amount of financial strength, which we haven’t voluntary coach organisers in place of the an email address, so if you are in that cat - football matches, so that helped my situation. got, so we have to achieve in a different way. I think everyone wanted me to succeed But at a top club, you’re just keeping them illustrious Colin Tillett – a hard act to fol - egory please let me know at any match and because they were ready for change. ‘I under - where they have always been. Come here and low indeed. Let’s hope they don’t forget to I shall update my records accordingly, and stood the club’s demographic. I came from a be successful and people will remember you for council estate. You think council estates are ever.’ get the biscuits in for the raffle. arrange an alternative method of commu - great when you’re a kid, but you mother’s Another interesting insight into a man “living As you will have read in Benno’s column, nication. Thanks in advance. Please note thinking, I’ve got to get him out of here, you on the volcano”, but surviving in the unforgiv - know? The area is low-income and people have ing football environment. Don’t miss out on the enforced two week lay off has given my new email address below. the football club right within their midst. So future copies of our top-value Match Day the club an opportunity to try out a few Glyn Balmer (glynbo) much focus is on the game at the weekend. Programme. Soon you will be able to read There’s a danger if football ignores that, about the ‘Self-made Man’ - Alan Pardew - the different moves in training, so here’s hop - GAFC 1890 Trust Membership because it’s a potential consequence of the next England Manager? ing they can be put to good use during Secretary amount of money coming into the game. We THE WANDERER need a lot of football people at the top level today’s local derby against East Thurrock [email protected] whose upbringing gives them an understanding United. Let’s make some New Year noise have said, “Well, maybe that’s not the right type before.’ The influence of Sir Alex Ferguson is for a manager.” I think it has actually helped not as strong as is popularly assumed, although me, because when I make a point, forcefully or Hughes did seek his advice on how to rehabili - strongly, it has more resonance because it’s a tate himself after the QPR farrago. He is more surprise. You’re not the life and soul of the self-taught, a student of other sports and a party, but you can have more impact.’ surfer of TED talks, an online source of more His coaching ambitions coalesced through than 1,900 lectures on a range of issues. exposure to a different type of character and a ‘I’m always being asked about formative influ - more intense form of respect, when he moved ences. There are markers I’ll revert back to. to Chelsea in 1995. Hughes began to change I’m forever trying to get the best bits of infor - its nature in the pre Abramovich era, with other mation that will help me do my job. The All imports such as Ruud Gullit, Zola and Vialli. Blacks’ leadership philosophy is really good. ‘I was part of the furniture at United. It wasn’t Some think if you allow people to develop and the case that people came to me for advice become leaders they become a threat, but because others were more ready to impart that actually it makes them better at what they do. advice. Chelsea were a mid-table team. The higher you go, the more players have self- Whenever I spoke in the dressing room about responsibility.’ what I’d done, just in conversation, I sensed This reminded me of a lovely anecdote from that the younger players sat up and took notice. the Saxtons’ managerial era here at Grays. I thought that maybe I could affect them in a There was a training session where one of the positive way. ‘Playing was still my focus, but players suggested it was a bit disorganised and that was around the time I started doing my he shouted across the dressing room, “Who’s in coaching badges, so an idea was ready to ger - charge around here?”. Fred Saxton, in his own minate. I learned a lot from the Italian lads. I inimitable style responded, “I’d like to think we saw their self-discipline, how they prepared are each in charge of our own destiny.” Classic. properly. I looked at Vialli, who sometimes felt Hughes’ four years as Wales manager was fol - he wasn’t getting what he needed to be the lowed by his first club job at Blackburn in 2004. player he was in Italy. Our game was refereed It was a seamless transition. ‘When I got the differently and he was expecting to be given opportunity I had a philosophy, clear ideas freekicks, so he’d go down a bit too easily. It about how I expected my team to play, perform took him about twelve months to understand and behave. When you’re a player and you go that he needed to resist and stay on his feet. straight into management, you don’t usually ‘I know for a fact he worked right through the have that. If you were a right back you might summer that second year to get physically know everything about being a right back, but stronger to cope with the demands. If, after you don’t know how it relates to centre halves training sessions, he found he’d not had enough or midfield players, or the striker, so you have he’d do it himself, because he knew what he to re-educate yourself in terms of what football needed to be the best. His success was no is all about. In the Wales job, I knew how to coincidence. It was similar with other players play up front and score goals. But did I really like Zola, Beckham and Cantona. They trained know what I did and how it affected someone more and that’s why they were so good.’ else? Not really. I wish I was playing now. I’d Like life in general, fate seems to play a dis - be a great player because I know a lot more concerting role in determining an individual’s and have a better understanding of everybody’s direction. Hughes had no real thoughts of needs. Trouble is I can’t run…!’ starting out as Wales manager in 1999, when Managing Blackburn, in essence another four- Bobby Gould resigned. ‘Bobby, bless him in his year apprenticeship, was a positive experience. wisdom, recommended myself and Neville He developed a broader understanding of the Southall to do it. I’d done my badges, but complexities of running a Premier League club because I was still playing I hadn’t really from John Williams, the sort of quietly efficient thought too much about where it was going to chief executive he could have done with at take me. I decided to carry on as a player at Manchester City, where he was saddled with a Everton at the time and then Blackburn. All of rhinestone cowboy named Garry Cook. ‘City a sudden I was getting knocks on my door at was an unbelievable experience. I moved from half past eight in the morning, with people say - Blackburn because I thought it was a step up, ing, “Right, boss, what are we doing?” I had to bigger crowds, bigger stadium just a bigger learn quickly, but if you walk into a situation club. The reality was that it wasn’t bigger, in where people want you to do well, then you’ve terms of what was underpinning the club and got half a chance. That was certainly the case the quality of people who were there. It’s easy here at Stoke and certainly with Wales. to forget it was a mid-table club. There were a ‘There’s no right or wrong way to manage. lot of changes to manage, even before the per - You can be autocratic, or a bit more empathet - ception changed overnight, with the new own - ic. Players can smell if you’re trying to be ers. something you’re not. I was honest in saying, ‘It was, OK, the owners want us to be this listen, I’m trying to find my way here, I’m try - ing to do things better than they were done Continued over Regular By Meet Our East Thurrock Feature The Wanderer Visitors United FC LIVING ON THE VOLCANO – SECRETS OF League, but I new that group of players wasn’t FOR the fifth consecutive season East Athletic, the club was admitted to the SURVIVING AS A FOOTBALL MANAGER good enough to keep us there. I brought in Thurrock will compete in the Ryman Senior Division Two of the Metropolitan I have been reading a book written by Michael nine, ten players that summer. You make deci - Calvin, chief sports writer with the Independent sions and bring in better quality. Of the lads Premier Division. Last season saw the club London League. Following a third champi - on Sunday, which exposes the lives of football that went out of the club, not one got a Premier end the campaign in an unfamiliar mid- onship in a row, the club won promotion to League contract, which tells you that maybe managers from the lower levels to the Premier the Premier Division. But there was a ten League. Through the columns of this Match Day they weren’t quite good enough at that level. table slot. In their previous three cam - Magazine, I am including some of his unique The dynamic of the group is the key. If it does - paigns they had found themselves compet - year period of struggle as the founding insights about a trade where managers require n’t gel quickly, it becomes really difficult. We ing for a play-of spot or, in a dramatic end fathers of the club stepped down. ruthlessness and empathy, idealism and cun - had guys coming in from a higher level, guys ning. I offer my take on some of his findings from abroad who were good quality, but it was to the 13-14 season coming through a last There were managerial and ground and acknowledge his outstanding work in the their first season in the Premier League. We day battle to avoid the drop. changes with the team at the Billet and process. had other guys who were conscious that maybe Not that last season wasn’t without its then at Tilbury FC. I have already covered stories about Martin I was looking to move them out. Ling, Aidy Boothroyd, Gareth Ainsworth, Gary ‘There was a lack of trust all round. The high. For the second time in the club’s his - After joining the Essex Senior League in Waddock, Joe Dunne, Ian Holloway and Shaun owner and the CEO had no Premier League tory they made it through to the FA Cup 1979 the Rocks changed ground again to experience. The factors for a stable base Derry. Today, it’s a man who as a player won first round – enjoyed an away day at the former Thames Board Mills ground, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three weren’t in place. I just got spread a little thin - League Cups and two European Cup Winners’ ly and lost my focus in terms of the players. Division Two Hartlepool United, where they Purfleet. With loans from the Football Cups. He spent four years as Wales manager, We tried to get them on board and working in went down 2-0 but gave a great account of Association, Thurrock Council and Greene the same direction, but it was too fragmented. before he took his first club job at Blackburn in King the club was able to buy its site in 2004. Subsequent manager roles have fol - ‘I’m now at a good club in Stoke, with good themselves. Rocks were promoted to the lowed at Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park people. They have been in the Premier League Ryman premier after winning the Ryman Corringham and played its first match Rangers and now he is subtly reshaping Stoke for six years, so guys who come up through the One North title in 2010-11 after a cam - there in 1984. The club won its first senior City, a club popularly defined by the muscular - Championship, but can’t sustain you long term, ity and diligence of the Tony Pulis era. are natural wastage. It’s been more measured paign which saw them battle throughout trophy, the League Cup, in the 1988/89 Mark Hughes had the assiduous air of a coun - and people left at the right time, whereas at for top spot with Needham Market. In the season and won again in 1992. An applica - ty solicitor, taking instructions on the last will QPR we were trying to irritate people to make end John Coventry's side emerged victori - tion to the Isthmian League was successful and testament of a valued client. He leaned them go, because it was probably in their best forward attentively, listened with respect and interests. They’d say, “Well if you want us to ous - and in the final sprint won by a hand - and the following season the Rocks joined was clear and concise in his professional judge - go, you’ll have to pay us,” so it was a car crash.’ some margin. Division Three. Lee Patterson was appoint - Something became immediately apparent. ment. Here was a man of stature, conscious of The Rocks were founded in April 1969 by ed manager at the start of the 1999-2000 his rank. His iPad, used constantly for research Hughes seemed suited temperamentally to a purposes, was placed on the coffee table of his more structured, relatively stable working envi - enthusiasts who felt the expanding area season and guided them to the Ryman straight-backed office chair, which looked out ronment. When he found that as a player at around the towns of Corringham and Division Three Championship title and pro - on to the main pitch at Stoke City’s training Manchester United and then at Chelsea and motion to Division Two, breaking every ground. Blackburn Rovers, he was successful. He also Stanford-le-Hope needed a senior non- Football management is a hall of mirrors, excelled at Blackburn as a manager and is league football club. The Corringham club record en-route. which can flatter or distort and it was difficult doing the same at Stoke. Social Sunday side formed the basis for the Patterson left during the next season with to resolve the contradiction between the When that supportive ethos is conspicuous by The Rocks sitting top of the table. Along assured figure who had found a niche at an its absence, as it was in the politically febrile new team but there were hurdles to over - unashamedly blue-collar club and his previous atmosphere when he managed Manchester City come for the new club including finding a with him went many of the players and the incarnation, as someone who oversaw strategic and QPR, problems arise. Like his time as a suitable ground. During the first season as club slid down the table but still finished in and spiritual chaos at QPR for ten months in player at Barcelona when he was brought in to 2012. When asked about his time there partner Gary Lineker. Lineker had more acute members of the Southern Essex Combin- the top half. 2002/03 saw the formation of Hughes said: ‘I think at the time I was hard political antennae and sharper social skills. ation in 1969/70 the home matches were Division One North and also new owners at Hughes was more reserved, better suited to the done by. A lot of people thought I’d do well to played at Corringham Recreation Ground. Rookery Hill. get back after that, certainly at Premier League tranquility and introspection of North Wales, level. I felt I was getting judged on twelve where he had been brought up by his mother Manager Brian Fayers guided the club to After a poor start to the season with the games at the beginning of a season where I’d and grandmother. He preferred to observe. third place during the initial season and club bottom of the league, the new owners managed three hundred odd games in the That trait should never be confused with was a key figure in the team's formation. offered Patterson the job again. Rocks Premier League, so I was sustained by the weakness. After single seasons at Barcelona hope people would look beyond that. and Bayern Munich, he returned for a pivotal The following season the Rocks moved up climbed out of trouble and picked up an ‘The first few weeks after being sacked are second spell at Old Trafford and was developing to the Intermediate section of the old impressive 45 points after Christmas. hard to take because there is a sense of frus - a singular leadership style, almost subcon - Silverware also returned to Rookery Hill tration. I’ve never been bitter, because the sciously. Greater London League. only person you hurt in that circumstance is ‘It was a strong dressing room. Brucie and Success followed for the club, now play - with the East Anglian Cup being won for yourself. I’ve always taken the view that you Gary Pallister used to shout all the time, but it ing at the Billet, Stanford-le-Hope, winning the first time with a 1-0 victory over Long just park it, move on and look for the next was just noise. It was important noise, opportunity. If you do that, then you won’t get because it got people’s attention. My voice division two and one in of the league. The Melford.2003/04 saw the club reach the F.A damaged by it. ‘At the end of the first season wasn’t the strongest, but I had views. My per - side then applied to the Essex FA for sen - Cup 4th qualifying round for the first time at QPR it was great. We stayed in the Premier sonality is one of an introvert. Some people ior status. After moving in with Grays Continued over Meet Our East Thurrock was agreed to allow him to join winning side for Grays Athletic. The near - Shrewsbury Town as a non-contract player est he came was when he scored his first Visitors United FC in August but, after a couple of games, he goal for us in a 3-3 draw with Barrow at was released and signed for Conference The Rec. on 31 October, his home debut eventually losing to Conference side from Northampton Town last summer after South St. Albans City. In February 2008 and the opening goal of the game. The six Woking 2-0 after a 1-1 draw at Rookery the previous season on 'work experience' having trained with Southport, he signed feet, seven inches striker impressed Hill. In the same season Rocks were in with from the Cobblers at Welling where he for League Two Macclesfield Town and the Barrow captain, Paul Jones, who said 'the a chance of promotion till April and a fix - helped the Wings win the Conference following August, moved to his final big fella was certainly a handful'. After that ture backlog eventually took its toll. South title and promotion. Had a spell on League club, Accrington Stanley. we couldn't win a game and, in January 2004/05 saw the club switch to the loan at Ryman South Merstham last season Later that season he trained with 2010, he was released. He'd scored three Bournemouth before signing for Confer- goals in seven Conference games and also Southern League in an FA re-structure. The who won promotion to the Ryman Premier ence National side, Weymouth in March made an appearance in the Essex Senior club were never out of the top five all sea - in the play-offs. 2009 as they staged a vain attempt to hold Cup when we lost 0-1 to Chelmsford City. son and finished runners-up to Fisher on to their status, a 1-2 loss at home to After leaving the Mighty Blues he had tri - Athletic and the promotion that followed Mitchell Gilbey (Midfield). York City in what was a relegation decider, als with Bradford City and also went on was to the Ryman Premier. Rocks survived Joined the Rocks two seasons ago from condemning them to the Conference South trial in Denmark with HB Koge but nothing their first two seasons in the Premier with - neighbours Canvey. An energetic midfield - the following April. In the summer of 2009 came of it and he has since played for out too much trouble but last season, er who reads the game well and is noted he moved to Woking and, in the October of Southport, Boreham Wood, Staines Town, despite heading the table in the early for his passing ability. Popped up with the same year, he signed for the Mighty Tooting & Mitcham United and Cheshunt. Blues. His first game was a 1-2 loss to He works for a company called Boston stages, they found it more of a struggle, some very useful goals last season. Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground in Link, a company who deals in recruitment particularly after Patterson left in the Wales and, unfortunately, that seemed to in the Financial and i-gaming world in autumn to take over at Conference South Rickie Hayles (Centre half). set a pattern as Fola never appeared on a England, Isle Of Man and Malta. Braintree. A close season signing, Rickie had a brief Patterson's assistant, John Coventry, took spell with Rocks three seasons ago. He Cambridge United's Fola Onibuje holds over the reins but they were eventually rel - played at Canvey Island and then moving off Grays Athletic’s Stuart Thurgood. egated by the cruellest of margins, one to Lowestoft Town in the Conference South Pic with thanks to Gavin Ellis deducted point. It looked as if Rocks would where he made 22 appearances for the bounce back at the first attempt but they Trawlerboys before moving to fellow lost out on the Ryman One North title in a Conference South side Bishops Stortford last day defeat by Aveley and then bowed for the closing stages of the season. out in the play-off to Concord Rangers - a Previously an iconic defender at AFC fate that was to befall them again the fol - Hornchurch and where he helped the lowing season after finishing fifth. Urchins win promotion in the 2011/12 sea - However, it was to prove to be third time son and numbers Thurrock, Tilbury, Eton lucky in 2011. Manor and Brentwood Town among his past clubs. Tom Anderson (Defender/Midfield). Signed first team forms for the Rocks Harry Honesty (Midfield/Striker). aged just 16. Has been a part of the Rocks Harry dropped out of senior football last set-up coming through the club's youth season, playing in the Essex Olympian ranks and also helping out on first team League but the fast-paced youngster is matchdays. Played at Burnham Ramblers in back in the Ryman Premier where he previ - the Ryman One North last season as part ously played for neighbours Thurrock. of his ongoing development. Sam Higgins (Striker). George Craddock (Midfield). Prolific goalscorer who won the Ryman Signed after leaving Ryman Premier pro - League’s golden boot last season and was motion winners Margate at the end of last also the top non-league scorer in the coun - season, during which he suffered a serious try. For the two previous seasons Sam has injury that sidelined him for a lengthy started the season at Conference South spell. George had signed for the Kent club clubs, last year at Bromley, but returned to Regular By Paddles Rocks for the start of this campaign and Manager's Player of the Year, a double that had 15 goals from 14 games before suffer - he'd also achieved at Canvey Island prior Feature O’Maddles ing a serious hamstring injury that has to signing up at the ProKit UK Stadium. FOLA ONIBUJE. ruled him out since the game against Born:25 September 1984, Lagos, Nigeria. Brentwood in late October. Simon Peddie (Central Defender). Clubs : Huddersfield Town (Loan), Barn- Joined Rocks midway through 2011-12 sley, Peterborough United, Cambridge Kris Newby (Midfield/Striker). season from Redbridge where he played United, Swindon Town, Brentford (Loan), Back at Rookery Hill for a third time in his more than 100 games. Work commitment Wycombe Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town, career, free-scoring Newby was influential mean his is not able to be a regular starter St. Albans City, Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley, Weymouth, Woking, in helping AFC Sudbury to the Ryman One but nevertheless he remains an integral Grays Athletic, Southport, Boreham Wood, North play-offs last season. Some-thing of part of the squad and a very popular play - Staines Town, Tooting & Mitcham United a ‘prodigal son’ to Rocks boss John er with supporters. and Cheshunt. Coventry, who has nurtured his talents A striker who, although born in Lagos, since he was a boy, Newby has had many Daryl Robson (Midfield). Nigeria, was brought up in West London of his best football moment in a Rocks shirt Joined Rocks from Brentwood Town in where he was educated at Chiswick but has also impressed at clubs including October 2015. As a youngster came Community School. His original prowess as Grays Athletic and Witham Town. through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough a sportsman was as a sprinter where he almost made the Britain junior squad where he was a member of the FA Youth before football took over. It was with Sammy Knott (Defender/Midlfield). Cup winning squad. On his release from Charlton Athletic that he first got taken on Sammy was recruited to the Rocks squad Boro played in both Ireland, for Galway as a Youth trainee but he earned his first after spending last season with Aveley FC. and Bray Wanderers, and in the USA for professional contract with Preston North Previously he was with Concord Rangers Indiana Invaders. In between he featured End in November 2002. His first League where he played 18 times for the for Grays Athletic in the Conference and experience came in November 2003 when Beachboys, scoring once, in their promo - also played for Hemel Hempstead. he joined Division Three side, Huddersfield tion winning campaign from the Ryman Town on a month's loan. His League debut came at the McAlpine Stadium, Hudders- Premier League. Knott came through the Kye Ruel (Midfield). field on 29 November 2003 when he came youth set-up at Concord, making his debut Another player who has returned to the on as a substitute for Paul Scott in a 0-0 for the first team at the age of 16 and also Rocks fold. Highly versatile player with an draw with Cheltenham Town. By January gained senior experience with Great eye for goal who includes Leiston, Witham 2004 he had returned to Deepdale and, in Wakering Rovers, then in the Essex Senior Town and Aveley among previous clubs. July 2004, he signed for Barnsley without League, under dual registration. making a first-team appearance with The Ryan Sammons (Right Back). Lilywhites. The following March, he signed for relegation-bound, Peterborough United Lukas Lidakevicius (Goalkeeper). Now in his 8th season, Ryan has made of League One and was released in the Close season acquisition. 22-year-old over 325 appearances for the Rocks. He spring of 2005, signing for Conference Lukas has returned to the UK after a spell represented England schools U18's before side, Cambridge United. He had the most in his native Lithuania with A-League side FK spending a year playing University "soccer" successful season of his professional Zalgiris during which time he represented his in America. He joined the Rocks in 2008 career at the Abbey Stadium, scoring nine country at U21 level, playing in the European and played an important part in the club’s goals in thirty-four appearances but, with Championships qualifying competition. Ryman North winning campaign and also in the financial restrictions within the club at During his career he played Youth team foot - the clubs’ historic FA cup runs. the time and a change of manager, he was released and signed with League Two While at Wycombe Wanderers, he was ball at Fulham and the joined Barnsley. Swindon Town on a three-months contract called into the Nigeria U-23 Olympic Squad Ryan Scott (Centre-half). in July 2006 although this was extended to to help them qualify for the 2008 Olympic Ashley Miller (Midfield/Defender). Another highly-rated young footballer. a year the following month. A regular until Games in Beijing, China and helped them Recently joined East Thurrock from Ryan played much of last season at the the end of October, he moved to League beat Liberia to progress. In July 2007 he Chelmsford City, who he had joined in the heart of the Billericay Town defence. Ryan One Brentford on loan in November but, on found he was outcast at Adams Park and close season from Bishops Stortford. Miller came through the youth set-up at Barnet his return, found he was not part of new Shrewsbury Town wanted to sign him on was a key member of the Bishops squad and has previously played for Wingate & Robins' Manager, Paul Sturrock's plans and loan. The Chairboys were about to go on last season when he was awarded the Finchley. moved to Wycombe Wanderers in January tour to Germany and he was not one of the 2007. party and, naturally, wanted to leave. It BSFC Players' Player of the Year and the Continued over Meet Our East Thurrock Grays Athletic Season Visitors United FC Kit Sponsorship 2015-16 Lewis Smith (Midfield./Forward). a new club and he joined Bishop's JAY LEADER JAKE HUTCHINGS Attack-mind player with an eye for goal Stortford. who was a popular player at Hornchurch Peter Jackson Lifetime Wills for several seasons, helping them to the Ben Wood (Defender). Conference South before trying his hand Centre back at the 'veteran' stage of his abroad. Returned to UK for the 2013-14 career but has been one of the most out - PERRY TAMBURRINI GUS DOUGLAS and played a big part in keeping the Rocks standing players in Rocks' history. Carved in the Ryman Premier and built on that out a name for himself at Conference level reputation last season where he was a fre - with clubs including Thurrock and then quent goalmaker and also scored a dozen joined Rocks where he played a big role in times. guiding them back to the Ryman Premier JOEL NOUBLE ALEx ADDAI Division. Has 'retired' twice in recent sea - James Walker (Striker). sons but has come back to help out the Rob Stevens Janet Packer A much travelled and experienced striker club when they have had defensive prob - who spent last season with Bishops lems. A firefighter by trade. Stortford. A former England under-18 TOMMY CUMMINGS LAMAR REYNOLDS international Walker was released by Tom Wraight (Defender/Midfield). Charlton in 2006, but was invited back on Another highly-rated young player who Tony Packer David Seaman a trial by new manager Iain Dowie during was among manager John Coventry’s close pre-season, and he impressed by scoring season acquisitions. Tom came through the against Millwall, Germinal Beerschot and youth set-up at Tilbury FC before joining ROMAN MICHAEL-PERCIL LUKE IFIL Hibern-ian, earning a new one-year con - Witham Town where he impressed enough tract. Has since played for Hartlepool to earn an extended trial at Ipswich Town. Jim Hardingham Steve Allen United, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Notts County and Yeovil Town on loan before John Coventry (Manager). joining Southend United. After a loan spell A popular character on the South East at Gilingham he signed for Conference non-League scene. Widely regarded as an HARRY AGOMBAR GEORGE KAMURASI South side Woking in 2011 and then played astute coach with a good eye for a young Sir Crazy Legs Sir Crazy Legs for Dover Athletic and Eastbourne Boro- player. John was a tanker driver for BP ugh. While at Eastbourne, Walker was based at nearby Coryton Refinery for many called up to play for Antigua and Barbuda, years before he became a sports teacher at coming on as a second-half substitute a local school. Devoted to football, an in JERMAINE OSEI MONTEL AGYEMANG against Guatemala in a 2014 World Cup possession of many coaching qualifica - qualifier. Walker left Eastbourne for per - tions, he has been coaching the District sonal reasons in February 2013 and moved youth side for many years and many play - to Australia with former Eastbourne ers from Thurrock have gone on to gradu - Borough player Marvin Hamilton to play in ate to the Football League after benefiting DANNY BURNETT- CORREY DAVIDSON the Brisbane Premier League for Albany from his experience. No mean striker him - WILLIAMS Creek Excelsior. His first game was against self at local football level John continued Phil Boston UQFC on 29 June. In August 2014, Walker playing into his fifties, and still turns out in re-signed for Conference South side charity and veterans games from time to Eastbourne Borough after a successful pre- time. THE LIST MAY CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON season trial. However with fitness prob - IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING A PLAYER, lems and not scoring in his first 15 appear - Jay Devereux (Coach). ances Walker was told by manager Tommy Former Redbridge manager joined the MATCH OR BALL Widdrington that he could start to look for team two seasons ago to bring a different PLEASE SPEAK TO STEVE SKINNER Grays Athletic Season Meet Our East Thurrock Kit Sponsorship 2015-16 Visitors United FC MARK BENTLEY DAVID RAVEN view to the bench. Regarded by John as a full back. Started his career at West (Manager) (Coach) Coventry as one of his 'best signings'. Has Ham United as a trainee. Now first team Glyn Jarvis David Barnes also been manager of Ford United and a coach at East Thurrock as well as a valu - coach at the school of excellence at able member of the playing squad. Dagenham & Redbridge. RAINER HEIN JACK HUGHES Joe Keith (Midfield - Coach). (Youth Development) (Physio) Experienced former professional who Sponsorship Available Paragon Independent Limited numbers Colchester United, Bristol City, Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town and Brentford among his former clubs. SIM MADGEWICK KENNY BEANEY Primarily a midfielder, Keith can also play (Kit Man) David Barnes Peter Jackson RECENT MATCHES WITH OUR OPPONENTS 04/08/1971 Friendly HL0-3 02/08/1972 Friendly HW4-2 CALLUM MALTESE JEY SIVA 02/08/1977 Friendly HD0-0 15/08/1978 Friendly HW4-0 Anthony Auger 26/02/1985 Friendly HD0-0 07/08/1986 Friendly AW4-0 06/12/1988 Friendly HW4-0 MARK BENTLEY SEAN CRONIN 14/09/1991 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round AD1-1 17/09/1991 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay HW2-1 Martin Candler Fred Wakeling 03/11/1998 Essex Thameside Trophy AW2-1 17/12/2002 League Cup - Isthmian 3rd Round AW1-0 14/07/2005 Friendly AW1-0 MASON BLOOMFIELD JOAO CARLOS 16/07/2009 Friendly AD1-1 Brian Page Peter Jackson 02/03/2011 Isth. League Division 1N HL1-3 25/04/2011 Isth. League Division 1N AL0-4 06/11/2012 Essex Senior Cup 3rd Round HW2-0 LAMAR JOHNSON DUMEBI GB-DUMAKA 24/08/2013 Isthmian League Premier Div. AL0-3 12/03/2014 Isthmian League Premier Div. HW2-0 George Watts Phil Boston 27/12/2014 Isthmian League Premier Div. HL1-3 06/04/2015 Isthmian League Premier Div. AW2-0 07/10/2015 League Cup - Isthmian 2nd Round HD2-2 BRADLEY TOMLINSON GLEN LITTLE OUR OPPONENTS LATEST RESULTS Alan Roberts Glyn Jarvis 21/11/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Wingate & Finchley D1-1 24/11/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Farnborough W4-1 28/11/2015 FA Trophy - 3Q A Merthyr Town D1-1 JAMES STEVENS BRIAN MOSES 01/12/2015 FA Trophy - 3Q Replay H Merthyr Town W3-1 05/12/2015 Isth.League Premier Div. H Lewes W4-1 Glyn Balmer 12/12/2015 FA Trophy - 1st Round H Maidenhead United L1-4 19/12/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. A Kingstonian W4-1 26/12/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Enfield Town W1-0 Regular 50 Shades Appearance Season Feature Of Grays & Scorers 2015-16 The Christmas without football shopping! I had in true last minute man Grays Ath. Hello everybody, happy new year and style spent the previous week barging my Career welcome to 2016, a year that hopefully way around Lakeside and I wasn't prepared promises many good things for all of you. to do it after Christmas as well! Of course Start Sub. Tot Goals Yell. Reds Apps Goals This Christmas has been one of the there was always the chance to take in Apps warmest in the UK that I can remember, I another game as a neutral, after all we Alex Addai 88 16 210 16 2 don't think that those old foes of non were the only senior game south of league football pitches, frost and ice, have Birmingham to be called off! I was due to Harry Agombar 13 7 20 200 103 17 made an appearance yet, so naturally I visit mum and dad in the evening and as Montel Agyemang 12 3 15 000 15 0 was looking forward to a festive feast of Grays was off, dad decided to see if Maldon Kenny Beaney 19 3 22 220 222 18 football. As I'm sure you all know, it didn't and Tiptree were at home. It turned out quite work out like that! On 22nd that they were and Tilbury was the opposi - Mark Bentley 89 17 030 53 2 December the away game to Billericay was tion, and then it sunk in that either staying Mason Bloomfield 47 11 100 11 1 postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. To in again or shopping were not that bad a Daniel Burnett-Williams 21 31 0 0 3 1 be fair it had rained a lot and I wasn't too proposition after all! Joao Carlos 30 2 32 440 249 71 surprised as their pitch is already wetter Talking of local rivals, today we welcome than a snowman standing by a radiator! By East Thurrock United for the first game of Alex Cathline 10 10 0 0 1 0 the time Boxing Day had arrived I was the new year, weather permitting of Sean Cronin 31 0 31 260 40 4 looking forward to getting outside and course! As much as I know they like to use Tommy Cummings 13 0 13 000 13 0 watching some football. I was staying in little comments here and there as a siege Grays over Christmas and woke up on the mentality thing, I actually think that they Correy Davidson 01 10 0 0 13 1 26th to a clear morning and dare I say it a have done very well as a club and only Laste Dombaxe 01 10 0 0 1 0 bit of sunshine and warmth! The problem have good things to say about them. They Gus Douglas 10 10 0 0 1 0 was that by the time I had got up, our have their catchment area around game away at Brentwood had already been Corringham and Stanford le Hope - as the Dumebi Dumaka 24 0 24 19 41 65 33 called off! It was bizarre, I had driven past posters keep telling me! - and in recent Calvin Ekpiteta 02 20 0 0 2 0 Brentwood’s ground on Christmas Eve on years have performed well to gradually ris - Nathan Ferguson 16 0 16 010 33 1 my last day at work before shutdown and ing attendances. It just shows what could from my elevated position in my van the be achieved if you have a solid base in Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson 28 1 29 13 30 42 16 pitch looked beautiful, coupled with the your own town to work from. Who knows - Jamie Fuller 11 20 0 0 2 0 fact it was a lovely clear day on Boxing Day 2016 could bring that reality closer to us Kofi Halliday 10 10 0 0 1 0 and I just couldn't work it out? So I was here at Grays Ath and we can be a fully left with a blank day and needed some - functioning part of our community once Jake Hutchings 81 91 0 0 13 1 thing to do. I thought I would put the again and who knows, just like the last Luke Ifil 32 0 32 110 32 1 cricket on the television, unfortunately the few years at The Rec in Bridge Road, we Lamar Johnson 34 0 34 040 94 0 South African summer was not playing ball could put the town of Grays and the bor - and rain has stopped play and the weather ough of Thurrock on the map once again. George Kamurasi 20 20 0 0 60 0 was actually better here! The thing I made [Hear, hear – Ed]. Jay Leader 31 0 31 331 87 7 absolutely clear was that I wasn't going Enjoy the game Parker Glen Little 2 12 14 100 42 2 Callum Maltese 22 42 0 0 4 2 Roman Michael-Percil 17 13 30 300 30 3 Brian Moses 00 00 0 0 29 2 Max Nicholson 30 30 1 0 3 0 Germaine Ofori 10 10 0 0 1 0 Jermaine Osei 14 50 0 0 5 0 Lamar Reynolds 3 14 17 000 17 0 Jey Siva 25 0 25 000 74 0 James Stevens 22 4 26 420 48 8 Perry Tamburini 00 00 0 0 3 0 Ruddock Yala 12 30 0 0 33 3 UP TO AND INCLUDING SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2015 Ryman Premier Division Fixtures Ryman League League Round-Up & Results Premier Division Dulwich Hamlet head the Ryman League from Leon Ottley-Gooch just 2 minutes Saturday 19th December 2015 Wednesday 6th January 2015 Premier Division table by goal difference later. Joe Francis added a third just before PREMIER DIVISION PREMIER DIVISION from Hampton & Richmond Borough follow - half-time. Billericay Town 2-0 Bognor Regis Town Burgess Hill Town vs Enfield Town ing Boxing Day wins for both. Wingate & Finchley`s top five hopes Burgess Hill Town 5-1 Merstham Grays Athletic vs Tonbridge Angels Enfield Town 2-1 Canvey Island Leatherhead vs Staines Town Dulwich Hamlet put a severe dent in suffered a blow when they were beaten Grays Athletic 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet THE ALAN TURVEY TROPHY SPONSORED BY ROBERT Kingstonian`s own promotion hopes with 3-1 at the Harry Abrahams Stadium by Hendon 2-4 Leiston DYAS - QUARTER FINALS a 5-1 Champion Hill battering in front of an mid-table Metropolitan Police . Charlie Kingstonian 1-4 East Thurrock United Leiston vs Kingstonian excellent crowd of 1,713. And the K`s led Collins gave the Met a 25th minute lead Leatherhead 1-0 Brentwood Town too, thanks to Ricky Sappleton`s 11th that Steve Sutherland doubled 6 minutes Lewes 1-0 Farnborough Saturday 9th January 2016 minute opener. But the home side turned before half-time. Joe Turner added a third Metropolitan Police 0-3 Hampton & RB PREMIER DIVISION that round to lead at half-time with goals 12 minutes from time, with Marc Needham Market P-P VCD Athletic Bognor Regis Town vs Needham Market from Danny Waldren after 22 minutes, Weatherstone scoring a consolation for the Staines Town 1-2 Wingate & Finchley Brentwood Town vs Hendon Tonbridge Angels 3-3 Harrow Borough Canvey Island vs Tonbridge Angels Ryan Moss on the half-hour mark and hosts on 84 minutes. Dulwich Hamlet vs Enfield Town Ashley Carew on 39 minutes. Ethan Bognor Regis Town are, however, firm - Tuesday 22nd December 2015 East Thurrock United vs Metropolitan Police Pinnock made it virtually game over just 3 ly back in the race, moving to within a PREMIER DIVISION Farnborough vs Billericay Town minutes after the break, with Moss` sec - point of Wingate and Kingstonian after Billericay Town P-P Grays Athletic Hampton & RB vs Kingstonian ond 19 minutes from time being the icing winning the Sussex derby at Nyewood Lane Brentwood Town P-P Leiston Harrow Borough vs Staines Town on the Christmas cake! against bottom-markers Lewes The Lewes 0-2 Enfield Town Leiston vs Burgess Hill Town Hampton & Richmond Borough stay Rocks` beat the Rooks with a Jason Prior LONDON SENIOR CUP - ROUND TWO Merstham vs Grays Athletic Corinthian-Casuals 1-4 Dulwich Hamlet VCD Athletic vs Leatherhead second following a 3-2 victory over hat-trick in the 12th, 16th and 61st min - Wingate & Finchley vs Lewes Staines Town in front of a decent crowd utes – Ollie Pearce adding a fourth in stop - Saturday 26th December 2015 of 646 at Beveree. It was win number five page time to leave Lewes a whopping sev - PREMIER DIVISION Monday 11th January 2016 in a row for Alan Dowson's men - and they enteen points adrift of the safety mark. It Bognor Regis Town 4-0 Lewes PREMIER DIVISION put their fans through the ringer before didn`t help Lewes` cause that fellow Brentwood Town P-P Grays Athletic Farnborough vs East Thurrock United eventually sinking the Swans. Hampton strugglers Farnborough managed to beat Canvey Island 0-2 Billericay Town scored first with Jerome Federico on 23 Sussex rivals Burgess Hill Town 1-0 at Dulwich Hamlet 5-1 Kingstonian Tuesday 12th January 2016 minutes and then extended the lead Cherrywood Road, thanks to a 39th minute East Thurrock United 1-0 Enfield Town PREMIER DIVISION Farnborough 1-0 Burgess Hill Town Brentwood Town vs Hampton & RB through Jamal Lowe 2 minutes after the Bogdan Vastsuk effort. Hampton & RB 3-2 Staines Town Needham Market vs Grays Athletic break. In between Dean Sinclair saw his A Ryan Scott goal in the 15th minute Harrow Borough 5-5 Hendon Staines Town vs Metropolitan Police penalty kept out by Jack Turner in the eventually settled the game between East Leiston 3-0 Needham Market Staines goal. The out-of-form visitors came Thurrock United and Enfield Town at Merstham 1-2 Leatherhead Wednesday 13th January 2016 back with goals from former Beaver Luke Rookery Hill, while Leatherhead won the VCD Athletic 0-3 Tonbridge Angels SURREY COUNTY CUP - ROUND THREE Wanadio on 67 minutes before Michael Surrey derby at the Moatside Stadium Wingate & Finchley 1-3 Met. Police Kingstonian vs Leatherhead Kalu, just over 10 minutes later, had Nicky against Merstham. Tomi Adeloye broke the Tuesday 29th December 2015 Saturday 16th January 2016 Forster's team on level terms. But it wasn't deadlock to give the Tanners a 69th minute PREMIER DIVISION PREMIER DIVISION to be as Hampton inflicted a sucker punch lead that Fabio Saraiva cancelled out just 2 Staines Town 2-0 Farnborough Billericay Town vs Brentwood Town 2 minutes after Kalu equalised, Brendan minutes later, only for Kiernan Hughes- Wingate & Finchley 1-2 Enfield Town Burgess Hill Town vs Kingstonian Kierman heading the winner. Mason to win it for the visitors 6 minutes Canvey Island vs Hampton & RB Billericay Town are third after winning from time . Saturday 2nd January 2016 Enfield Town vs Metropolitan Police 2-0 at The Prospects Stadium against But the most remarkable game took place PREMIER DIVISION Grays Athletic vs Farnborough Canvey Island . Another decent crowd of at Earlsmead between Harrow Borough Billericay Town vs Leiston Hendon vs Lewes 621 saw Teddy Nesbitt give the Blues the and struggling Hendon . A real see-saw Burgess Hill Town vs Bognor Regis Town Leiston vs Harrow Borough Enfield Town vs Brentwood Town Merstham vs Staines Town lead right on half-time. And Tom Derry encounter saw Boro come back from being Grays Athletic vs East Thurrock United Needham Market vs Leatherhead ensured the points went to Craig Edwards` 4-1 down to ev eventually draw 5-5! Lewis Hendon vs Wingate & Finchley Tonbridge Angels vs East Thurrock United side with a second after 68 minutes. Driver gave the home side the lead in the Kingstonian vs Farnborough Tonbridge Angels remain in the promo - very first minute. But a Jamie Cassel own Leatherhead vs Hampton & RB tion race after a 3-0 win at second-bottom goal 4 minutes later was followed by goals Lewes vs Merstham VCD Athletic . Nathan Elder proved to be from Kezie Ibe after 8 minutes, Carl Metropolitan Police vs Harrow Borough the Angels` hero, bagging a brace in the McCluskey on 19 minutes and Finbarr Needham Market vs Canvey Island Staines Town vs VCD Athletic "The Ryman Football League strongly support 35th and 37th minutes. Luke Blewden Robins 2 minutes after that. Boro respond - Tonbridge Angels vs Dulwich Hamlet rounded things off with a third for Steve ed with two goals just before half-time the FA statement that there should be a zero McKimm`s men 7 minutes into the second from Driver again and Marc Charles-Smith Tuesday 5th January 2016 tolerance approach against racism and all forms half. to make it 4-3 to the Greens at half-time. PREMIER DIVISION of discrimination. Accordingly any form of A three-goal first half blitz saw fifth- Adam Wallace stretched Hendon`s lead to Brentwood Town vs Harrow Borough discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race placed Leiston gain Suffolk bragging 5-3 on the hour-mark, but Fejiri Okera- Canvey Island vs Metropolitan Police or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, rights with a comfortable victory over fifth- birhie on 62 minutes and a second for VCD Athletic vs East Thurrock United age, ability or any other form of abuse will be bottom Needham Market . Christy Finch Charles-Smith 15 minutes from time sal - THE ALAN TURVEY TROPHY SPONSORED BY ROBERT reported to the The Football Association for action DYAS - QUARTER FINALS set the ball rolling with a 19th minute drive vaged a point for Boro and a goal fest for Enfield Town vs Wingate & Finchley by that Association." past ex-Blues keeper Danny Gay. Finch the 264 crowd. SUSSEX COUNTY CUP - ROUND THREE Useful numbers:-The FA 0800 085 0508 then provided the assist for a classy finish Eastbourne Town vs Bognor Regis Town Kick it Out 020 7253 0162 League Ryman League The Non-League With Table Premier Division Paper Sheridan Robins By Sheridan Robins screens. This is true for all clubs at this INC. 29TH DEC. P W D L F A PT Christmas may be over for another year level and no doubt all sides in action today Dulwich Hamlet 26 15 4757 29 49 but the tradition of Boxing Day football will want to reward their loyal supporters Hampton & Richmond Borough 25 14 7451 33 49 means that clubs may be able to extend and volunteers for their continued hard Billericay Town 28 13 8748 32 47 the celebrations with three points for their work. What makes them particularly spe - Tonbridge Angels 24 13 7451 22 46 Leiston 25 13 6641 27 45 valued fans. As players, managers, officials cial? They do it for the love of it – nothing Kingstonian 25 12 6742 32 42 and supporters travel all over the country, more and nothing less. Wingate & Finchley 26 13 3 10 42 33 42 surely now is the time to celebrate your In the wake of some Football League Bognor Regis Town 24 12 5743 29 41 club’s achievements over the last year. adversity, the Non-League flag once again East Thurrock United 23 11 7554 34 40 But it is also a time to thank YOU – the flew high and proud when Welling auc - Enfield Town 26 12 4 10 37 30 40 loyal fans and volunteers that keep this tioned off their match ball following their Burgess Hill Town 26 11 5 10 42 41 38 great institution of football going. match with League Two side Carlisle Grays Athletic 23 11 4839 28 37 Christmas is a busy time for many and not United. The money will be used to help the Canvey Island 26 11 4 11 40 43 37 least football clubs. With a packed festive community of Cumbria that have been Metropolitan Police 25 11 4 10 26 41 37 schedule, sacrifices have to be made in severely affected by Storm Desmond. Harrow Borough 26 10 6 10 42 39 36 order to perform on a day like today. Subsequently, the club who ultimately Leatherhead 25 10 4 11 38 42 34 When Premier League players miss out on ended Welling’s FA Cup dream, has suf - Staines Town 24 9510 31 41 32 a glass of wine or excessive amounts of fered more heavily than many can imagine. Merstham 28 9514 38 55 32 turkey, sympathy is limited due to the All clubs – Non-League or otherwise – Hendon 29 7715 42 54 28 other excess in their life – their bank bal - have come together in a time of crisis and Needham Market 26 7712 33 47 28 ance. But in the world of Non-League, this for once there has been a number of posi - Farnborough 26 7217 35 59 23 reward does not exist. With a range of tive stories about football and how power - Brentwood Town 22 6214 25 37 20 other commitments – not to mention fami - ful it can be. So whether it be a painful rel - VCD Athletic 25 4714 20 51 19 ly life – travelling to a game today is not egation battle or an exciting promotion Lewes 27 2520 22 60 11 easy for the players, managers, volunteers challenge that your side are facing today, or supporters. The Class of 92 documen - none of it would be possible without the Action from the 2-2 draw at Hendon. tary just a few months ago highlighted this volunteers selling food and drink or the with Salford City’s volunteers at the fore - selfless people who do their upmost to PIC WITH THANKS TO PETER JACKSON front of their football community. keep matches on in this time of unpre - Despite their FA Cup second round hero - dictable weather – to name just a few. ics, they were cruelly knocked out after As the (slightly adjusted) cliché goes, a extra time at Hartlepool. But one thing that football club is not just for Christmas – it’s won’t change now they have returned to for life and no matter how much we want Evo-Stik Northern Premier action are those to sometimes, we can’t alter the place the same volunteers who graced our television club has in our hearts. Grays Athletic Meet The Staff Grays Athletic Stat FC & Players FC Attack George Kamurasi – Goalkeeper. Senior League. He suffered an injury play - An occasional feature courtesy of David “Stato” Raven Popular keeper who returned to the Blues ing for our Under 21s as an 18 year-old, in August 2015 after helping us win the but he is now looking to get back into our National is a collective term for the top 10 divisions of men's football in England com - Ryman Division One North Championship in first team squad. prising the 4 professional divisions, the national league and the Ryman, Northern and 2012/13. Also had spells at Brentwood and Mason Bloomfield - Striker. Southern premier leagues Potters Bar. Made his return debut in the Joined from Chelmsford City in October Canvey League Cup win in August 2015 2015. Mason is a product of the Dagenham and starred in the match with two crucial & Redbridge Academy. He had loan spells The stats have a number of sources but I use my own data collection and analysis to saves in the penalty shoot-out. at Chatham Town, Erith & Belvedere, produce most if not all of the figures presented below Callum Maltese – Midfielder. Maldon & Tiptree before signing for Callum was a member of last season’s Chelmsford City in September 2015 where DISCIPLINE & FAIR PLAY successful Under 18 side which won the he had dual registration with local rivals National average - 188 points Essex Pelly Cup. He has been given the Billericay Town. Ryman worst chance to step up to the reserve and first Montel Agyemang – Midfield team squad. He made his first team debut Made his first team debut for Leyton 318 points - Canvey Island in the penalty shoot-out win over Canvey Orient at the end of 2014 as he came on in in the League Cup in August 2015. Son of the dying minutes at Yeovil Town as Orient Ryman best former Grays Athletic star, Bradley Maltese, ran out 3-0 victors. Predominantly a cen - 156 points - Grays Athletic who helped the Blues to promotion to the tral midfielder, Agyemang was rewarded Ryman Premier Division in 1988. with a new one-year contract following a National worst Jermaine Osei – Striker. successful two-years as a scholar. 318 points - Canvey Island Jermaine is a young striker who joined Agyemang featured heavily for the O’s the Blues in August 2015 after having reserve team last season and made a total Ryman Premier League spells at Enfield 1893, Enfield Town and of 30 appearances for the youth team dur - Bishop’s Stortford. Made his senior debut ing the 2014-15 campaign. Joined Grays National best in the penalty shoot-out win at Canvey in Athletic in October 2015. 94 points - Arsenal August 2015. Jake Hutchings - Defender. Premier League Roman Michael-Percil - Winger. Highly rated 19 year old who had a brief 94 points - Cambridge City The Club signed 20 year-old Roman in spell at Grays in 2013, before Martin Ling Southern Premier League August 2015 after impressing in pre-sea - gave him his first professional contract at son. He was originally a youth at Spurs Torquay. He moved to Hearts in Scotland and has also played for Concord Rangers, on a short-term contract in January 2015, SEASON PERFORMANCE Billericay and Farnbor-ough. Scored his but was released in July and returned to Most goals 934 RPL debut goal in the 4-0 home win over Grays in October. Highest goals per game 3.09 Northern Premier League Brentwood Town on 31 August 2015. Danny Burnett-Williams – Striker. Most drawn games 182 Championship Lamar Reynolds – Winger. 25 year old Danny joined on dual regis - Best entertainment value 18.5 RPL and Northern Premier League Lamar joined the Blues in August 2015 tration from Dover Athletic in October National average points won ratio 1.38 having previously played for other Essex 2015. He had a brief spell in our reserves sides Barkingside, Thurrock and Aveley. previously before joining Dover. He also National average goals scored 1.4 James Stevens – Midfielder. had a loan spell at Leatherhead this sea - National average goals conceded 1.4 James came through Southend United’s son, coming on as a substitute in their 3-0 GAFC points won ratio 1.61 youth system, making his debut in March win against the Blues in September. GAFC average goals scored 1.7 2011. He was released by Southend in Correy Davidson - Wide Midfield. GAFC average goals conceded 1.22 May 2012 and moved to Witham Town, Age 22. Correy originally joined us from before joing the Blues in December 2014. AFC Sudbury in the 2014/15 season. He He has great passing ability and a powerful hails from Dublin and previously played for Team with best PWR 2.32 Ebbsfleet United Conf South striker of the ball. Carrick Rangers and Bohemians FC. He has Team with worst PWR 0.41 Lewes RPL Perry Tamburrini – Midfielder. represented Ireland in the World University Team with best GSR 2.52 Nantwich Town NPL Another returnee in August 2015. Perry Games, finishing as Ireland's top scorer Team with worst GSR 0.7 AFC Telford Conf North previously made two first team appear - and Northern Ireland Amateurs in the Team with best GCR 0.52 Middlesbrough Championship ances when we were in Ryman Division Umbro Cup in Limerick. This season, he Team with worst GCR 2.72 Stamford NPL One North. He opted to move to our land - has played for Heybridge Swifts and Ware Team with best GD 34 Cheltenham Town Conference Nat. lords, Aveley, to get first team experience, and re-joined us on 17 December 2015. before a spell at Basildon in the Essex Team with worst GD -38 Lewes RPL Other Ryman 2015-16 Kenny Beaney – Midfield.This season’s Bradley Tomlinson – Striker. Club captain. He made two appearances Narborough-born Tomlinson was snapped League Tables Season for Grays Athletic in October 2008 before up at the age of 11 by Leicester City before being released. He started his career at moving to Sheffield Wednesday at the age NORTH DIVISION (29/12/15) P W D L F A PT Dulwich Hamlet and had a loan spell at of 16. Before his release in 2013 he fea - Cray Wanderers 28 18 6464 30 60 Wealdstone before joining Fisher Athletic tured twice for Northern Ireland's U19 side in 2007. He also had a short spell with and signed his first professional contract AFC Sudbury 26 19 3451 33 60 Beckenham Town and then moved on to for St. Johnston in Scotland in September AFC Hornchurch 27 17 5562 20 56 Thurrock in December 2008. Rejoining 2013. Tomlinson returned to England in Thurrock 23 17 3356 25 54 Grays Athletic in 2011, he has made one of summer 2014, joining Hereford United on a Cheshunt 27 12 9654 30 45 the midfield spots his own. six-month deal and becomes Andy Tilbury 23 13 6452 29 45 Dumebi GB-Dumaka – Striker. Signed in Swallow's first signing since taking over Harlow Town 23 12 6541 25 42 August 2014. Affectionately known as ‘DD’, the reins from Jody Brown in December Bury Town 24 11 8543 28 41 the young striker was impressive in training 2014. Bradley rejoined the club in March Dereham Town 27 11 8845 35 41 and pre-season friendlies. He was previ - 2015. Brightlingsea Regent 23 12 5635 25 41 ously with Heybridge Swifts and Barking, Sean Cronin – Centre Back. Thamesmead Town 24 12 5735 27 41 for whom he performed well against us in On 24 March 2015, Sean joined the Blues Phoenix Sports 28 12 5 11 43 45 41 an Essex Senior Cup tie in 2013. on loan from Wealdstone. He signed for Aveley 27 11 4 12 57 49 37 Joel Nouble – Striker. The club are Wealdstone in August 2010 having previ - Maldon & Tiptree 26 10 6 10 50 46 36 pleased to announce that Joel Nouble has ously played for Neath FC in the Welsh Soham Town Rangers 27 8514 34 50 29 joined the club on a short term loan with Premier League. Sean has also played for Great Wakering Rovers 28 7813 45 64 29 the intention of extending until the end of Cardiff City and represented Wales at Witham Town 24 6612 37 51 24 the season. Joel last played for the club in Under 18, Under 19 and semi-pro Under 23 Romford 26 5813 30 50 23 2013/14 season. He made his debut for the level, and has made over 170 starts for the Haringey Borough 25 6415 24 41 22 club in the victory over Tilbury in the Stones. Wroxham 25 5614 30 52 21 Ryman League Cup, coming on as a substi - Harry Agombar – Midfielder. Heybridge Swifts 27 5517 33 55 20 tute for Jeff Hammond and scoring with Harry originally joined in 2010 and played Barkingside 28 4618 33 67 18 only his second touch. His first goal in the in our last season in the Conference. After Redbridge 27 5319 27 85 18 league came in a 3–2 defeat to Dulwich making 75 appearances he moved to Waltham Abbey 25 2815 22 41 14 Hamlet. He scored in the 3–3 draw with Macclesfield Town in 2012. After a brief Chatham Town as the Blues progressed loan spell back with the Blues, he moved to through to the semi-finals of the Ryman Maltese side, Floriana in January 2013. In SOUTH DIVISION (29/12/15) P W D L F A PT League Cup on penalties. Joel scored his July 2013, Swindon Town signed him on a Folkestone Invicta 27 20 3451 20 63 first ever brace in the 4–2 home league win two year deal. He returned on loan to the Worthing 28 17 3860 36 54 over Lewes. He returned to Dagenham & Blues again in March 2015. He left Guernsey 28 15 4962 49 49 Redbridge having made thirty-two appear - Swindon by mutual consent at the end of Ramsgate 29 14 7851 43 49 ances, and scoring nine goals for the Blues. the 2014/15 and re-joined the Blues in Herne Bay 26 14 6646 26 48 Brian Moses – Striker. August 2015. Dorking Wanderers 27 14 6752 33 48 The club are very pleased to announce Gus Douglas – Defender. Faversham Town 28 14 6838 25 48 that Striker Brian Moses has rejoined the Gus has joined up with the first team Carshalton Athletic 28 15 2 11 49 44 47 club. In August 2015 Brian went on loan to squad after being a key member of the Molesey 27 14 3 10 52 43 45 Barkingside. Under 21 side that won the Ryman Division Whyteleafe 28 14 3 11 42 39 45 Glen Little – Midfield. North title in 2014/15. Corinthian-Casuals 26 14 2 10 40 31 44 A vastly experienced player. He joined in Luke Ifil – Defender. South Park 27 13 5943 42 44 August 2014 from last season’s Ryman He joined in August 2015 after manager Hythe Town 27 12 5 10 33 30 41 League Champions, Wealdstone. He was Mark Bentley had been searching for a Hastings United 22 13 1841 29 40 born in Wimbledon. He also previously right back during pre-season. Luke had Three Bridges 27 12 2 13 35 35 38 played for Burnley, Derry City, Glentoran, been on trial at Wealdstone but was unable Tooting & Mitcham United 27 10 3 14 35 45 33 Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Wrexham to obtain a place in their squad. He had Walton Casuals 27 9315 44 52 30 and Aldershot Town. He has also appeared been released by Wolves after starting as a Sittingbourne 27 9216 39 46 29 in the Premier League for Bolton youth at Arsenal. He made in debut at East Grinstead Town 26 8513 38 49 29 Wanderers, Reading and Portsmouth. He is Tonbridge Angels in August 2015 and has Chatham Town 27 8415 37 37 28 the scorer of some classic goals, with impressed with his defensive and attacking Walton & Hersham 27 8415 35 56 25 either foot and the maker of many more, play. Peacehaven & Telscombe 28 6517 35 68 23 as ‘You Tube’ will testify! Glen rejoined the Chipstead 28 4321 28 64 15 club in March 2015 after his recent spell at Welling United. Whitstable Town 28 4123 31 75 13 Continued over Grays Athletic Meet The Staff Reserve Essex Senior FC & Players Team Football League Mark Bentley – Midfield/Manager. Joined first season. He joined in August 2014 from 15/08/2015 Thurrock A Lge 0-7 Grays Athletic in August 2014. He started The Millers where he was voted Fans’ and 22/08/2015 Heybridge Swifts H Lge 3-3 Osei (2), Tamburrini his career at Enfield in 1998, later moving Players’ Player of the Year last season. 05/09/2015 Redbridge H Lge 3-1 Tamburrini, Maltese, Fuller to Aldershot Town, Gravesend & Alex Addai - Alex started his career with 12/09/2015 Sawbridgeworth T. H Lge 1-1 Fuller Northfleet, where he won Player of the Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster but Year for 2002/03 and Dagenham & moved north to join Blackpool as a trainee. 26/09/2015 Thurrock H Cup 2-1 TBA Redbridge. He stepped up to the Football He was released at the end of the 2012/13 03/10/2015 Hullbridge A Lge 4-0 Cummings, Bangora, Osei (2) League with Southend United in 2004 season without managing to break into the 17/10/15 Takeley A Lge 5-3 Fuller (2), Burnett-Williams, where he made 93 appearances and was senior squad at Bloomfield Road. After an Gordon, Osei involved in two consecutive promotions. unsuccessful trial with Leyton Orient in the 14/11/2015 Southend Manor H Lge 2-1 Maltese, Moses He moved to Gillingham in 2006 and he summer of 2013, he joined then Ryman 18/11/2015 Waltham Abbey A Lge 2-3 Burnett-Williams, Ofori was runner up for their 2006/07 and Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic 02/12/2015 Clapton A Lge 3-2 Moses (2), Burnett-Williams 2009/10 Player of the Year award. He also and made eleven appearances for the represented Cambridge United, Hayes & Robins, scoring once. He joined 05/12/2015 Waltham Abbey H Lge 3-4 Maltese, Ofori, Nicholson Yeading, Boreham Wood and was a mem - Conference South side Whitehawk in 12/12/2015 Waltham Forest A Lge 1-2 Reynolds ber of Wealdstone’s Ryman League December 2013 and then moved onto 23/01/2016 Southend Manor A Lge 2-3 Abdul (2) Championship winning squad last season. Crawley Down Gatwick in March 2014. He 30/01/2016 Sawbridgeworth T. A Lge In January 2015 Mark took over as care - signed for Ryman Premier side Kingstonian 03/02/2016 Clapton H Lge taker manager from Andy Swallow. In in the summer of 2014 and played forty- 13/02/2016 Waltham Forest H Lge February 2015 it was announced that Mark one times, scoring just once. 27/02/2016 Takeley H Lge would retain the manager’s role for the Tommy Cummings – Mark Bentley has remainder of the 2014-2015 season. also announced the signing of defender 05/03/2016 Thurrock H Lge Discussions are ongoing for his tenure to Tommy Cummings. With Arsenal and 12/03/2016 Hullbridge Sports H Lge continue for next season. Charlton Athletic as a youngster, he 19/03/2016 Heybridge Swifts A Lge David Raven – Coach / Scout. Retired became disillusioned with the game and TBA Barking A Lge from playing in 1999 after a career that gave up for a while, but has been playing TBA Redbridge A Lge included spells at Wigan Athletic, Slough locally in the past year or so and has TBA Barking H Lge Town and Didcot Town. Joined the staff in impressed sufficiently to be offered terms 2011. A former Kilmarnock coach and Grays by Bentley. reserve team manager. Previously a youth Jey Siva – Left Back.Joined from Weald- coach and assistant manager for the Capital stone in August 2014 where he was part of League side at Redbridge before joining their Championship winning squad in Grays Athletic in 2011 as assistant manager 2013/14. He was at Enfield from 2010 Essex Senior League Official Website www.essexseniorleague.co.uk for the reserves. His role was expanded to until 2013 and previously played for Facebook Essex Senior League Community Twitter @essexsenior include scouting opponents and potential Hillingdon Borough, Indian Gymkhana and signings. He will continue in his dual coach - Newbury Forest. He has coaching experi - RESERVE DIVSION P W D L F A PT ing/ scouting role working on fitness & ence at a number of English Clubs and in Waltham Abbey 11 10 0135 17 30 rehabilitation and working closer with the the USA. He achieved a sports science U21 and U18 coaching staff to identify play - degree at Brunel University where he made Redbridge 13 10 0334 28 30 ers to develop through into the first team. the England University side. Heybridge Swifts 11 81241 14 25 Lamar Johnson – Goalkeeper. He joined Joao Carlos – Midfield. He joined in the Grays in 2011 after spells at Romford and pre-season of 2011. The Portuguese Thurrock 10 72137 8 23 Aveley. In his early career, he was part of winger started his career at Clapton before Hullbridge Sports 12 62430 24 20 the Charlton Athletic youth setup and also moving on to Brentwood Town and then played for Thurrock’s under 18’s and their Aveley. He went on to sign for Football Grays Athletic 12 52529 30 17 reserve side, before switching to Canvey- League side Dagenham & Redbridge in Clapton 15 33923 32 12 based Concord Rangers in 2010. He will November 2009, where he made one available to play after 15 October 2014. appearance as a substitute. He rejoined Sawbridgeworth Town 932419 26 11 Jay Leader – Centre Half. A product of Brentwood Town in August 2010, before a Southend Manor 12 31819 40 10 the Dagenham & Redbridge youth setup he move to Thurrock. He was voted the has progressed through the non-league Player of the Year in 2011/12 and the Walham Forest 10 30714 24 9 ranks playing for Bethnal Green in the Supporters’ Player of the Year 2013/14. Barking 912610 24 5 Essex Senior League before moving to He was also the top scorer in both sea - Takeley 10 01912 36 1 Aveley where he was made captain in his sons. Statistics Grays Athletic Statistics Grays Athletic 2015-16 Football Club 2015-16 Football Club DATE OPPOSITION C R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Substitutes Used ATT OG Sat 8th Aug Hendon Lge 1-1 Johnson Cummings Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Beaney Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Little +, Bentley *, Reynolds @ 201 1 Tues 11th Aug Tonbridge Angels Lge 3-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens + Tomlinson Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson Carlos 1 * Michael-Percil +, Bentley * 439 Sat 15th Aug Burgess Hill Town Lge 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Tomlinson 1 * Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson Carlos+ Michael-Percil +, Reynolds * 458 Tues 18th Aug Canvey Island ***** ATT1 2-2 Kamurasi Ifil Cummings Douglas Bentley Stevens 1 Michael-Percil Maltese @ Osei * Ferguson + Reynolds Beaney +, Little *, Addai @ 153 1 Sat 22nd Aug Billericay Town Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens 1 * Tomlinson 1 + Beaney GB-Dumaka Ferguson + Carlos @ Reynolds +, Bentley *, Michael-Percil @ 263 Weds 26th Aug Canvey Island Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens * Tomlinson Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson + Carlos + Reynolds +, Agombar * 289 1 Sat 29th Aug Dulwich Hamlet Lge 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens+ Tomlinson Beaney 1 GB-Dumaka Ferguson @ Carlos * Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Little @ 999 Mon 31st Aug Brentwood Town Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader 1 Michael-Percil + Tomlinson * Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson @ Carlos Agombar +, Reynolds *, Stevens @ 205 Sat 5th Sep Leiston Lge 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Tomlinson + Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson @ Carlos * Michael-Perci l +, Reynolds * 232 Tues 8th Sep Canvey Island Lge 3-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens 1 @ Tomlinson + Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson @ Carlos * 1 Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Agombar @ 330 Sat 12th Sep Biggleswade Utd FAC1Q 5-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin 1 Leader Agombar + Tomlinson @ Beaney Michael-Percil 1 Ferguson @ Reynolds * Carlos + 2, Little *, Osei @ 182 1 Sat 19th Sep Bognor Regis Town Lge 0-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens+ Tomlinson @ Beaney GB-Dumaka Ferguson Carlos * Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Little @ 207 Weds 23rd Sep Staines Town Lge 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin 1 Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil Beaney * Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Agombar *, Reynolds +, 173 Sat 26th Sep Hullbridge Sports FAC2Q 6-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Tomlinson @ 3 GB-Dumaka 3 Ferguson Carlos * Yala +, Reynolds *, Osei @ 206 Weds 30th Sep Leatherhead Lge 0-3 Johnson Ifil @ Siva Cronin Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil Agombar * Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Reynolds *, Little +, Yala @ 272 Fri 2nd Oct Kingstonian Lge 1-3 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil 1 Agyemang Tomlinson Ferguson * Carlos @ Bloomfield +, Little *, Reynolds @ 191 Wed 7th Oct East Thurrock *** ATT2 2-2 Kamurasi Ruddock Cummings Nicholson Bentley Halliday Addai Fuller Bloomfield 1 Agombar 1 Reynolds Osei +, Little *, Reynolds @ 159 Sat 10th Oct Hanwell Town FAC3Q 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader 1 Stevens Michael-Percil + Agyemang GB-Dumaka 1 Tomlinson @ Carlos* Bentley +, Little ,* Reynolds @ 311 Weds 14th Oct Leatherhead Lge 0-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Hutchings Stevens Michael-Percil Agyemang @ GB-Dumaka Tomlinson * Carlos Bentley +, Bloomfield * Little @ 172 Sat 17th Oct Lewes Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Hutchings 1 Stevens 1 Michael-Percil @ Bentley* GB-Dumaka 2 + Agombar Carlos Bloomfield +, Little *, Addai @ 194 Sun 25th Oct Welling United FAC4Q 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Bentley Michael-Percil + Beaney * GB-Dumaka Agombar Carlos Addai + 1, Stevens * 512 Tues 27th Oct Welling United FAC4Qr 0-4 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Bentley + Michael-Percil * Agyemang GB-Dumaka Agombar @ Carlos Stevens +, Tomlinson *, Addai @ 733 Sat 31st Oct Biggleswade Town FAT1Q 2-1 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Hutchings Stevens * Addai 1 Leader B.-Williams + Tomlinson 1 Carlos @ Bloomfield +, Bentley *, Agombar @ 151 Tues 3rd Nov Wingate & Finchley Lge 2-3 Johnson Ifil 1 Cummings Cronin Hutchings Leader Michael-Percil Agyemang Tomlinson * 1 Agombar @ Carlos + Addai +, Bloomfield *, Little @ 111 Sat 7th Nov Burgess Hill Town Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens + Addai * Bentley GB-Dumaka 1 Tomlinson 1 Carlos @ Agyemang +, Michael-Percil *, Agombar @ 148 Weds 11th Nov Witham Town^^^ ESC3 0-0 Johnson Cummings Siva Nicholson Hutchings Little Ofori * Agombar Cathline + Bloomfield Addai @ B.-Williams +, Osei *, Maltese @ 86 Sat 14th Nov Waltham Abbey FAT2Q 2-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Hutchings + Tomlinson Agyemang GB-Dumaka * Agombar 1 @ Carlos Beaney + 1, Bloomfield *, Michael-Percil @ 146 Sat 21st Nov Enfield Town Lge 1-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Bentley Beaney GB-Dumaka Agombar + Carlos Tomlinson 1 Agyemang + 212 Tues 24th Nov Wingate & Finchley ATT3 4-5 Johnson Hutchings Siva Nicholson Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Maltese@ 2 B. -Williams + 1 Little * 1 Addai Beaney +, Fuller *, Dombaxe @ 75 Sun 29th Nov Corinthian-Casuals FAT3Q 0-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens * Tomlinson Agyemang GB-Dumaka Agombar + Carlos @ Michael-Percil +, Bentley *, Addai @ 150 Weds 2nd Dec Corinthian-Casuals FAT3Qr 0-1 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens Michael-Percil GB-Dumaka Agombar + Tomlinson Bentley * Carlos +, Agyemang * 127 Sat 5th Dec VCD Athletic Lge 0-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Agyemang Addai + Beaney GB-Dumaka Bloomfield@ Carlos * Hutchins +, Ekpiteta *, Michael-Percil @ 111 Mon 7th Dec Hendon Lge 2-2 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Agyemang + Addai * Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Tomlinson Carlos Bentley +, Michael-Percil * 123 Sat 12th Dec Hampton & RB Lge 1-3 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Agyemang Addai + Beaney GB-Dumaka 1* Tomlinson Carlos @ Stevens +, Bloomfield *, Michael-Percil @ 404 Tues 15th Dec Staines Town Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Hutchings @ Leader 1 Agyemang * Michael-Percil Beaney GB-Dumaka + Tomlinson 3 Carlos Agombar +, Addai *, Ekpiteta @ 126 Sat 19th Dec Dulwich Hamlet Lge 1-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Agyemang @ Tomlinson 1 Beaney Bloomfield + Agombar * Carlos Addai +, Bentley *, Davidson @ 254 Sat 2nd Jan East Thurrock U. Lge H SPONSORS: CAROL TILLETT AND PHYLLIS HOLLANDS Weds 6th Jan Tonbridge Angels Lge H SPONSOR: CAROL TILLETT Sat 9th Jan Merstham Lge A Tues 12th Jan Needham Market Lge A Sat 16th Jan Farnborough Lge H SPONSOR: KEITH BURNS ON BEHALF OF BSQA Sat 23rd Jan Metropolitan Police Lge A Tues 26th Jan Harrow Borough Lge A Sat 30th Jan Wingate & Finchley Lge H SPONSOR: PETER BARKER Tues 2nd Feb Billericay Town Lge A Sat 6th Feb Kingstonian Lge A Sat 13th Feb Harrow Borough Lge H SPONSOR: PHIL BOSTON Sat 20th Feb Lewes Lge A Sat 27th Feb Met. Police Lge H SPONSOR: GLYN BALMER (GLYNBO) Sat 5th Mar Farnborough Lge A Sat 12th Mar Leiston Lge H SPONSOR: PHYLLIS HOLLANDS Sat 19th Mar Bognor Regis Town Lge A Sat 26th Mar Merstham Lge H SPONSOR: STEWART GOSHAWK Mon 28th Mar East Thurrock U. Lge A Sat 2nd Apr Enfield Town Lge A Sat 9th Apr Needham Market Lge H SPONSOR: PARAGON INDEPENDENT LTD Sat 16th Apr Hampton & RB Lge H SPONSOR: GLYN BALMER (GLYNBO) Sat 23rd Apr VCD Athletic Lge A TBA Brentwood Town Lge A ***** Won on pens ^^^ Lost on pens