Grays Athletic FC - last updated on 24 January 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Club name: Grays Athletic Football Club
Foundation: 1890
City: Grays
Colours: Sky blue and white
Website: www.graysathletic.co.uk
Honours:
FA Trophy - 1 (2004-05, 2005-06)
Football Conference South - 1 (2004-05)
Isthmian League Division Two South - 1 (1984-85)
London League - 3 (1921-22, 1926-27, 1929-30)
Corinthian League - 1 (1945-46)
Isthmian League Cup - 1 (1991-92)
Essex Senior Cup - 8 (1914-15, 1920-21, 1922-23, 1944-45, 1956-57, 1987-88, 1993-94, 1994-95)
Essex Senior Cup Trophy - 1 (1998-99)
Essex Thameside Trophy - 3 (1947-48, 1987-88, 1988-89)
A bit of history:
Grays United was the predecessor of the modern Grays and was considered one of the oldest clubs in the world. Grays Athletic were established in 1890 and became founder members of the Athenian League, in which they briefly played before World War I (1912–1914, and again since 1958). In 1945 they were one of the nine founder members of the Corinthian League, which they won that first season. After playing in the Isthmian League between 1983 and 2004, they were founder members of the new Conference South. They were divisional champions at the first attempt, and also won the FA Trophy. In the 2005-06 season, they took an early lead in the Conference National division, remaining unbeaten for a record equalling 15 games, but eventually finished in third place and were beaten in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs by Halifax Town. They did, however, successfully retain the FA Trophy with a 2-0 win over Woking.
After the 2005-06 season Mark Stimson left the club (joined Stevenage Borough) and Frank Gray was appointed as the new manager. However after just 14 games, his last being a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Bromley, he was sacked (over the phone as Woodward was on holiday at the time). Micky Woodward appointed himself as manager for a short while and Player/Coach Jamie Stuart took charge of an Essex Senior Cup match with Woodward assisting but then appointed Andy King as manager. On 5 January 2007, Andy King handed in his resignation to the surprise of chairman Micky Woodward. He was replaced by Justin Edinburgh, his assistant at the time, who became the fourth manager of Grays during the season. Grays eventually finished 19th in the league, just avoiding relegation. In total Grays fielded over 50 players in all competitions.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Grays Athletic FC - Founded in 1890
