In respect of the three-point deduction announced today, the club accepts that an administrative error occurred in respect of the registration of Stuart Thurgood. Stuart's initial registration with the League was sent electronically which is permitted, the next game was in the FA Trophy (different registration process, and for which Stuart was already registered). The hard-copy of his registration which was posted did not arrive at the League’s offices within the required time. This is not a case of the club being singled out for unfair treatment, the League have always been consistent with the way in such breaches have been dealt with, and although the club believe it acted in good faith, the points gained from the Leiston match have been deducted.

The club is run by people on a part-time voluntary basis who put their best endeavours into ensuring the future of Grays Athletic, however the myriad of reporting and registration processes in the current technological age is still incredibly complicated. We believe we are a “big club”, and sometimes you have to big enough to say that we got it wrong, we broke the rules, and accept the consequences. I would like to apologise to the supporters, Hakan and his team, and the players who collectively and individually have not let us down once all season.

The potential effect of this deduction is conjecture; had this happened to East Thurrock who won our League last season, it would have made no difference as they won the League by eight points, in Division One South it would have cost the champions the Met Police the League. Had it happened to Brentwood who finished 5th, it would have put them out of the play-offs, while in the South, Dulwich Hamlet who finished 5th would have still made the play-offs. Often during the course of a season, one can point to key decisions be it by players or referees, which can be pivotal to results, this however was one which, retrospectively, was of our own making, and naturally everyone at the Club is devastated.

I had hoped to also be able to release positive news about the future of the club, due to meetings being postponed, there will be a further statement released on Thursday evening.

Keith Burns
Chairman