News - July 2008

Following a successful trial period Grays Athletic are please to announce that they have signed Midfielder, Alex Campana, from Watford and Defender, Kenny Davis, from Harlow Town

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Grays Athletic will be sending a Grays Athletic XI team to play Clapton FC on Tuesday 5th August @ 19:45 and then Bowers & Pitsea on Wednesday 6th August @ 19:45

The fixtures will be played at:

Clapton FC
The Old Spotted Dog Ground
Forest Gate
London
E7 9NP

Bowers & Pitsea
The Len Salmon Stadium
Crown Avenue
Off Kenneth Road
Rectory Road
Pitsea
Essex
SS13 2BE

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Having assembled what we believe to be one of the strongest and competitive squads that we have seen for a long time and following the recent announcement that could see us playing in a fantastic new complex at Blackshots very soon, now is the time to get behind the club and show the borough that we are the best in Thurrock.

Let‘s all show our support and make this the season to remember at The New Recreation Ground, this could be the one that sees us move to League football, but we cannot do it without you, the fans, so spread the word around your family and friends and let‘s get The Rec rocking once again.

Why not make you match day experience a little different, check out our corporate deals which start from £35 per person.

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Attached is announcement that we hope you have all been waiting for and one which we believe will springboard our aspirations for the future.

This comes after a lot of investment of time and money from the board of G.A.F.C. led by M Woodward to find the right location.

We would like to take this opportunity in thanking Mr B. Newman and other members of the council for progressing matters thus far.

The Board G.A.F.C.

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Grays Athletic have decided against the option of purchasing Jeff Goulding from Fisher Athletic, Jeff was due to sign for Grays Athletic on 1st August

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Grays Athletic will play host to Charlton Athletic Football Club tomorrow afternoon at 15:00.

We have just been informed that the following Addicks first team players will be playing at The New Recreation Ground:

Dean Sinclair
Stuart Fleetwood
Amdy Faye
Svetoslav Todorov
Robbie Elliot
Aswad Thomas

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The court date for Jamie Stuart has been adjourned again after the prosecution requested more time to prepare their case, Jamie was due to appear at Basildon Crown Court today to face charges relating to an incident during last seasons game against York City when Chris Beardsley‘s jaw was broken.

The new date has been set for Monday 1st September 2008

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The fixture between Grays Athletic and Kidderminster Harriers has been moved from Saturday 6th September 2008 @ 15:00 to Sunday 7th September 2008 @ 14:00

This fixture has been changed due to Kidderminster vs Torquay being shown live on Setanta Sports on Thursday 4th September 2008 @ 19:45

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Following meetings with Thurrock Council regarding the proposed relocation of Grays Athletic Football Club we are pleased to announce that there will be a joint announcement with Thurrock Council, Grays Athletic and the media at midday on Wednesday 30th July 2008.

We would like to thank you all for your patience during the delay in bringing you the relocation news but both parties needed to ensure that the details of the relocation were correct before going public with the announcement, we are sure that once the news is released it will be well received by all.

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Grays Athletic have sent a wreath on behalf of the staff, players and supporters for Ernie Cooksey‘s funeral which takes place on Monday 21st July.

There will be a collection during this Saturday‘s game for The Ernie Cooksey Fund there will also be a minutes mark of remembrance before kick-off.

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Grays Athletic will play host to the Setanta cameras on Thursday 25th September when we take on Stevenage Borough at The New Recreation Ground; this fixture was originally scheduled for Tuesday 23rd September

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Grays Athletic have altered some of the commercial opportunities that are available to customers:

The Corporate Hospitality package is now available for £35 per Adult this includes:
Match ticket, programme, bar service, hot food, cheese and biscuits tea and coffee before the game. Light refreshments at half time. V I P seating. Bar service after the game.

The Match Day Sponsors package now includes:
Admission for 6 people with complimentary match day programme each; complimentary team sheets.
Full page advertisement in the match day programme with your company name on the front of the programme.
Accreditation given to your company during the match.
Choose Man of the Match (presentation of a bottle of Champagne) photographs with the player.
Mascot if child included.
Ball sponsor with signed ball to take home.
Bar service, hot food, cheese and biscuits, tea and coffee before the game. Light refreshments at half time. V I P seating. Bar service after the game.
Cost of this package is £600 +V.A.T.

To book any of the above please call the office on 01375 377753

Full details of all commercial opportunities with Grays Athletic can be found on the main website or by clicking here

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It is with regret that tomorrow‘s pre-season fixture against a Portsmouth XI has had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

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The club are still awaiting contact from Thurrock Council regarding the joint press release about the relocation of Grays Athletic Football Club, we would like to apologise to all those who are patiently awaiting this release but as you may appreciate the timing of this breaking news is out of our hands.

Once the release is available it will be placed on this website as soon as possible

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Could all existing match day staff please contact Keith Burns on 07925103714 or alternatively he will be in the Clubhouse from 14:00 - 18:00 on Saturday 12th July 2008, the club are also looking for people to join the match day staff, this may include stewarding, turnstiles etc, if you are interested in taking up a position then please call Keith or see him in the clubhouse

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Monday 21st July, Everyone welcome

Funeral will be leaving from F A Albin & Sons, 52 Culling Road, London, SE16 2TN at 10.30 followed by a service at St. James' Church, Thurland Road, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 4SQ at 11.30

Map:
Go to http://www.streetmap.co.uk

Burial will take place at Grove Park Cemetery, Marvels Lane, London, SE12 9PU at 14.00

Map:
Go to http://www.streetmap.co.uk

Floral tributes should be sent to F A Albin & Sons to arrive no later than 09:00

Family & friends are planning to set up a Charitable Fund in memory of Ernie, the proceeds of which will be donated to a cancer related charity to be decided by Ernie's family.

Donations can be sent to F A Albin & Sons and they will be held in an account by Albins and sent to the designated charity when decided.

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Don‘t forget that this Saturday is the last time you will be able to have the chance to attend all three home pre-season friendlies at a discounted rate.

The fixtures in question are:
Gillingham, Saturday 19th July
Charlton, Saturday 26th July
West Ham, Saturday 2nd August

If you purchase tickets for all three matches before 17:00 on Saturday 12th July the cost will be:
Adults: £30
Cons/U16: £15 (proof of age will be required)
Under11: £10 (must be accompanied by adult, one child per adult)

Tickets can be purchased from the Office or Clubhouse until Thursday and then only from the Clubhouse Friday & Saturday

You will be able to purchase tickets to all the pre-season games on the day at normal match day prices, this includes the West Ham United fixture which was peviously listed as an all ticket game

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Hello from Blue Square

I think you will agree that, irrespective of your clubs successes or failures throughout the 2007/08 season, the Blue Square Premier had a great first season. With extensive television coverage giving more and more fans the chance to watch the action, the season turned out to be one of the most exciting for years. Now all of your fans can relive the action, including the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium, by claiming a free DVD review of the season. It also features the promotion moments from the Blue Square North and South, along with the Blue Square Premier Fan Awards.

For your free DVD click below:
FREE Blue Square Premier DVD

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Grays Athletic Defender, Jamie Stuart, appeared a Basildon Crown Court this afternoon to face charges of breaking Chris Beardsley‘s jaw during last seasons game against York City.

The trial has now been adjourned until Monday 21st July 2008

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A book of condolences in remembrance to Ernie Cooksey is now open in the Clubhouse for anyone who wishes to pay their respects, this book will remain open until the end of July when it will then be given to Ernie‘s partner, Louise, as a lasting tribute to his memory.

There is also an online book of rememberance for Ernie which can be accessed from here

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Congratulations to Paul Vaughan who has just been appointed as Grays Athletic Head Coach for the Thurrock & Basildon College Academy Team, his role will be to coach Grays Athletic‘ full time students who are sitting a BTEC3 in sports and taking the FA Level 1 coaching badge over a two year course.

Paul will also be introducing players from the Grays Athletic Youth Scheme, the Academy team will compete in the Football Conference Youth League, this is a fantastic opportunity for Grays Athletic as this will enable us to develop young students who could become first team players in the future.

Paul is currently in Lillishall where he is starting his FA “A” Licence

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Grays Athletic Chairman, Mike Woodward, has donated the following signed shirts for auction in aid of Ernie Cooksey.

Four 2007/08 season squad signed Wolverhampton Wanderers Shirts

Wolverhampton Wanderers Freddy Eastwood signed shirt

Grays Athletic Freddy Eastwood signed shirt

Grays Athletic Michael Kightly signed shirt.

To bid for any of the above either email press@graysathletic.co.uk or place your bid in an envelope and leave it behind the bar or in the Club Office, please state which shirt you are bidding for, the bidding will remain open until the start of the new season

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The Grays Athletic Clubhouse was broken into lastnight and an amount of cash was stolen from the machines in the bar, the club are offering a reward to anyone who has information that will lead to a convicton of the criminals

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It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Ernie lost his battle against cancer in the early hours of this morning, Ernie will always be fondly remembered by all those who he came in contact with, on the pitch Ernie always gave 100% and was a true gentleman off the pitch, he always found time to talk with his fans and has made many friends throughout his career, he will be greatly missed by all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ernie‘s partner Louise and family at this sad time

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Grays Athletic had offered the following players new or extended contract at the end of last season:

Aaron O'Connor
Andy Sambrook
Neil McCafferty
Scott Taylor

To-date the club have not received any positive news on these contracts and it is now looking very unlikley that these players will be with Grays Athletic next season

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Blue Square Bet have released their prices for the winners of the Blue Square Premier, South & North, and Grays Athletic are at 14/1 with Stevenage the favourites at 11/2.

Full details can be found in the attached file Download document

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Grays Athletic will start the season on the road to Weymouth for the begining of the 2008/09 Blue Square Premier Season:

A list of Grays Athletic fixtures are available for download from here

Complete BSP fixtures which include the first 6 Setanta Live Fixtures are available for download from here

Fixtures Matrix for the BSP, BSS & BSN can be downloaded here

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At the request of Ernie‘s family there will be no further updates until such time that they are ready to release any news, Grays Athletic fully respect their wishes in this decision

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