In my programme notes for the Kingstonian game last Wednesday I made the following comment, “I have no doubt there will be a few obstacles placed in our way and hope that all of you will join us on the journey we face and assist in any which way you can, your support is great- ly appreciated by all of the board members and please keep the faith as success is only a game away”. Those words were not those of someone who had prior knowledge of what was to unfold in the past 10 days but those of one who was aware of all possibilities.
The rejection of the planning application at Aveley was not the one we had hoped for, however it was not totally unexpected considering that this is an election year and that the current “member of parliament” holds a very slim majority. I do not wish to write endless lines of dia- tribe regarding the rejection of the application as I am sure the club’s lawyers are much better versed than I will ever be on this subject. I would rather give praise and thanks to the tremendous response we had last Saturday on the “jolly boys” outing to Peacehaven & Telscombe. All of the Grays supporters I spoke to before the game were of the opinion that this was another step in the life of Grays Athletic Football Club and one that we would face “head on” and with no-one willing to walk away. In fact I had several fans asking if they could assist in any way in the future day-to-day running of the club on home matchdays and I will take up as many offers as possi- ble in the coming weeks and months.
The past five years would have tried the patience of a Saint but throughout all of the problems we have faced we have continued to play with pride and integrity on the field of play.
Don’t forget how many games we played at the end of last season and how many points we earned against some of the top teams when many would have expected us to lie down and be walked upon. The Peacehaven game was a prime example of what this club is all about and the players did us all proud. Ok, the first minute wasn’t quite what we had hoped for but we were more than compensated by the remaining 89 minutes and the 5-2 scoreline certainly didn’t flatter us.

The players’ effort and attitude over the past three games have improved immensely with everyone playing for Mark Bentley and the club as if this was the final hurrah. It has been great to see the smiles returning to the players faces and the performances against Kingstonian and Peacehaven & Telscombe were well worthy of the six points we gained for our endeavours. Mark Bentley has done a fantastic job in a very short time and his goal on Saturday, with the pleasure it gave to all those who were at the game, was a joy to be seen.

I would like to finish by thanking everyone at Thurrock Council for the assistance and support they gave us regarding the Aveley planning application. Without the support we received, we would never have been in a position for the government to make the decision they did.

The comments in various sectors of the press have, as usual, given their version of the events that have unfolded, but the Board of Grays Athletic Football Club would like to place on record our thanks for the support we received from the Council.

Please don’t forget that “eight out of 10 owners who expressed a preference” said their cats preferred to have their litter trays lined with the particular publication in question.

Thanks again for the continued great support we have received over the past five years - it is most gratefully received and appreciated.

Tony Packer

Finance Director