A day that will go down in history as the last ever Grays Athletic home game at the Recreation Ground bringing to an end 104 years of of football in the town. Fittingly the occasion was marked by a 2-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers in front of 940 fans with the final and winning goal scored by Frenchman Alsenny Cissoko.

The contrast in fortunes between the protagonists could not be more stark with Rovers eventually gaining promotion from the National League and now plying their trade in League Two . They also hold the distinction of being the most Eco friendly club in football with the prospect of a new wood based stadium on the horizon

For Blues the game marked the end not only of football at the Rec but the end of their stay at the highest level of non league football, finishing bottom of the pile at the end of the season taking voluntary relegation to the Ryman Isthmian league. A nomadic life then ensued, ground sharing with East Thurrock United, a brief tenure at Rush Green, and finally seeing Aveley as current landlords firstly at Mill field and currently at the Millers impressive Parkside stadium.

In the ten years since leaving the “Rec” and the town Blues have played a total of 262 competitive “home” games winning 118 of those.. Certainly there have been ups and downs in the intervening years including a promotion and subsequent relegation. Throughout it all despite the lack of a home facility and the attendant financial constraints the club has survived thanks to the dedication of its fan base who voted overwhelmingly to become a supporter owned community club.

But still the search for a piece of land in the Grays area remains the top priority with regular dialog between the club and the local authority on going. Let’s hope it’s not too long before the nomadic life becomes a thing of the past and the club finally returns to the town in a new community stadium for all to enjoy.

24th April 2010

Grays Athletic 2 - 1 Forest Green Rovers
Referee: I Smedley (Derbyshire) Conference National-Match

Goalscorers
Alex Osborn (75)
Alsenny Cissoko (86)
David Brown (pen, 66)

Starting Line-up
Preston Edwards
Joseph Bayowa
Duran Reynolds
Kenny Davis
Marc Clarey
Tom Harvey
Richard Graham
Alex Osborn
Alsenny Cissoko
Harlee Dean
Alex Rhodes
Substitutes
Danny Bunce
Arian Retkoceri
Jonathan Glowacki
Ibrahim Conteh
Harry Agombar

Substitutions
Danny Bunce -> Marc Clarey (71)
Harry Agombar -> Joseph Bayowa (71)

Yellow cards
Preston Edwards
Alsenny Cissoko

Where are they now ?

Lets have a look at where the players in that historic game now ply their trade, where possible the information is correct but no doubt some of our fans may be able to fill in the blanks.

Preston Edwards, Ebbsfleet United, Boreham Wood, Dulwich Hamlet

Joseph Bayowa, Cannot find any record after leaving Grays

Duran Reynolds, Southend Utd, Dagenham & Redbridge, St Neots Town loan, Met Police loan, Barrow free transfer, Boston United free transfer, Cambridge City free transfer, Boston Town

Kenny Davis, Braintree Town, Boreham Wood, Sutton United

Marc Clarey No record after leaving Grays

Tom Harvey, Tilbury, Redbridge, May & Baker

Richard Graham, Eastleigh, Dartford, St. Albans, VCD

Alex Osborn, Dagenham & Redbridge, Thurrock loan, Chelmsford City loan, Billericay Town loan, Ebbsfleet free transfer,Hayes & Yeading loan,Maidstone United loan, Concord Rangers loan,Whitehawk loan,Margate free transfer, Whitehawk free transfer, Hemel Hempstead free transfer, East Thurrock United free transfer, Chelmsford City

Harlee Dean, Dagenham & Redbridge, Southampton, Bishops Stortford loan, Brentford, Birmingham City

Alex Rhodes, Braintree Town, Canvey Island

Danny Bunce Returned to the club since retired to concentrate on business venture

Arian Retkociri Aveley, Barking, Waltham Forest

Jonathan Glowacki Canvey Island, Harlow Town, Heybridge, Redbridge

Ibrahim Conteh, Psis Semerang, Persipura, both Indonesian League

Harry Agonbar, Barnet, Macclesfield, Histon, Floriana (Malta),Swindon Town, Hereford, Thurrock, Bowers & Pitsea, Staines Town

And finally the goalscorer Alsenny Cissoko;
Rouen (France), Idalio (Cyprus), Quevilly, Oissel, both France