Hadley, based in Barnet, were formed in 1882 and spent many years in local leagues until 1977 when they joined the Hertfordshire Senior League. They had something of a yo-yo existence over the next 25 years, including a spell dropping down into the Olympian League, with league and cup successes coming in the early 2000s. The club eventually then joined the Spartan League, where they remained until 2022 (apart from a very odd two years in the Essex Senior League), when for the first time in their history winning promotion to step 4 and a place in the Southern League Division 1 Central - the same level as Grays.

Hadley have clearly made themselves at home with 9th and 8th place finishes in their first two seasons in the division.

This season, Hadley have started their league campaign strongly with three wins and a draw in their first four games, scoring 13 goals in the process, putting them in fifth place in the early season league table. Their only reverse was in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round against our local neighbours, Basildon United. As a club, they are clearly making steady and definite progress.

The FA Trophy is, of course, a competition that holds the dearest of places in the hearts of many Grays Athletic supporters. No-one who has been with the club for any length of time will ever forget those magnificent days at Villa Park and Upton Park (with Wembley Stadium closed for redevelopment) when Grays lifted the trophy. Those two occasions have etched the club into the annals of non-league football.

The 2005 final at Villa Park was won through a sudden death penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against Hucknell Town. John Martin scored the Blues goal and keeper, Ashley Bayes, produced his magic in the shootout to secure the Trophy. Of course, that season Grays were a Conference South side. The highlight of that run was the 5-0 demolition of high-flying Burton Albion in the first leg of the semi-final.

A year later, and promoted to the National League, the Trophy was retained in a grand Essex Day Out at Upton Park. A 2-0 win against Woking was a much more straightforward affair. The run to that final saw Blues beat other National League teams in every round.

Nowadays, of course, the Blues horizons are much reduced but we can dream of a return to those halcyon days. And indeed another trophy run would be welcomed by all. Last season, we were on the wrong end of the odd goal in five away at Hertford Town. The 2022-23 season was more successful with wins against VCD, Merstham and Faversham seeing Blues make the 1st round proper before going out on penalties to Stowmarket Town.

This weekend’s game takes place at Hadley’s Brickfield Lane Stadium, Barnet EN5 3LD.

Please note that the ground is within the London ULEZ zone.

However, if you have a non-ULEZ-compliant car follow the directions on the Hadley FC web site https://www.hadleyfc.co.uk/ to avoid ULEZ cameras.

In summary, take the A1M down to Stirling Corner and then turn left onto the A411 and then left again into Brickfield Rd. This route passes no ULEZ cameras ! Come home by the same route.

Come on You Blues !