Last week, following the conclusion of the planning approval process, the board of directors had their first opportunity to take a look round Ship Lane, along with representatives of our partners, Group 1 Automotive. We all know that taking on the ground and bringing it up to playing conditions is going to be a monumental task for the club - but we have to start somewhere !

First impressions were just what we expected - terraces overgrown with weeds the size of small trees, the pitch more like a wildflower meadow, glass smashed, broken or missing seats and paint peeling.

However, it’s like buying a house, you have to look through the decor, ignore the colour of the carpets and the old kitchen units and imagine what the property could be with a bit of TLC and hard graft.

However, on initial inspection, things are better than we feared they might be. A great deal of the structure, fencing, and terracing appears to be in relatively good condition, beneath all the undergrowth. And we were delighted to find the clubhouse in a much better state of repair than we had dared hope.

Of course, we need to get professional support onto the site, to survey the buildings and services and advise us about the works that must be done to make the ground fit for purpose. We also need to make sure that Ship Lane meets all of the Isthmian League ground grading requirements.

But we all know there will be a huge amount of work to do over the next year. The board will be drawing up a plan of campaign, identifying those tasks that are essential and a priority for action. We will also be fundraising hard to raise the money we need to fund the works.

We very much hope to be able to invite supporters down to Ship Lane very soon to see our new home for themselves. Watch this space for news. There will also be a schedule for work parties and invitations for people to use their skills and experience to help us deliver a ground that we can all be proud of.

So please be patient for just a short while longer. It’s been 14 years since we left The Rec but finally the future is bright for Grays Athletic.

Come on You Blues !