This will be our third derby this season. In the pre season Stan Venness Memorial Trophy, it was goalless for just over an hour before a hat-trick from Luke Hirst and a brace from Alejandro Machado secured the Trophy for The Blues.

Back on Boxing Day, it was Tilbury who took the spoils with a 2-1 win. Goals late in the first half from Dan Trendell and Jordan Clark, from the spot, gave The Dockers control. Luke Hirst replied early in the second half, but a Grays comeback never really materialised. A late dismissal for Alex Moss compounded Blues woes and Tilbury ran out deserved winners.

Head to Head Record

In Isthmian North, some of our opponents are sides that have recently been promoted up to Step 4 for the first time in their history. Therefore our Head to Head record with them is both recent and limited. However, when it comes to our past matches against Tilbury, we are going back beyond living memory. As the excellent pre-match publicity says; rivals for over 125 years.

Tilbury's old website had a comprehensive summary of their history, which is well worth finding. Both sides started out in Junior football before gaining Senior status. In Tilbury's case this was in 1927.

So whilst we have been rivals since Queen Victoria was on the throne, in terms of competitive, senior league action, our matches with one another started in 1931/2 when The Dockers joined The Blues in the London League.

We had 8 seasons together in the London League, before the intervention of the Second World War. The record from those games is Grays 7 wins, 3 Drawn, Tilbury 6 wins.

The next League action was when The Dockers joined The Blues in the Corinthian League in the 1950's. Things were different in those days and the two league games between us were often played on Christmas Day, with the return game on Boxing Day, with crowds of several thousand regularly attending. We had 7 seasons together in the Corinthian League with the record being Grays 8 wins, 3 Drawn, Tilbury 3 wins.

We went our separate ways until Tilbury were promoted into the Athenian League Premier Division, for season 1969/70. There were three seasons until Grays were relegated at the end of the 1971/72 season. The record in the Athenian League was 1 Drawn and Tilbury 5 wins.

We did not meet again in League action until Grays promotion to the Isthmian 1st Division in 1985/6. We had two seasons together at this level and 4 very competitive games finishing Grays 2 wins, Tilbury 2 wins.

There were no further League meetings until Athletic dropped out of the National League into Isthmian First Division in 2010/11. We have met regularly since, only missing the seasons The Blues played in the Isthmian Premier and last season when Tilbury played in and won the Essex Senior League. The record in these League games including the Covid interrupted seasons is Grays 10 wins, 3 Drawn, Tilbury 5 wins.

I have excluded games in the Essex Floodlight League in the late 1960s. I'm not sure if these games were considered as full first team games and would welcome any further details.

Subject to that, the Head to Head in all senior league games stands at;
Played 58 games, Grays 27 wins, 10 Drawn, Tilbury 21 wins.

That brings us onto Cup games. Some of these were in competitions that are now consigned to history, such as the Stanford Charity Cup, The Essex Elizabethan Trophy and the Essex Floodlight Cup. It was common for the two clubs to meet in local Cup competitions and there have been even more games played than in the league

The Head to Head in Cup competitions needs some more work, but for the records I have found to date; Played 75, Grays 31 wins, 15 Drawn, Tilbury 29 wins.
For next season I'll try to break these down into each of the cups.

So in total, league and cup; Played 133, Grays 58 wins, 25 Drawn, Tilbury 50 wins.

The Gaffer

Tilbury are managed by Marc Harrison assisted by Liam Wallace, who are in their second spell in charge. Having previously coached age group teams at Tilbury, they took the first team job in November 2018, following a successful spell in charge of Basildon United.

On departing Chadfields in November 2021, Marc and Liam took over the reins at East Thurrock United, then in the Isthmian Premier Division. They departed in March 2023 and rejoined a Tilbury side that were at the time, struggling in Isthmian North. Although they were unable to prevent relegation that season, the team were rebuilt for a campaign, last season, in the Essex Senior League.

Given that both F.A.Vase finalists last season, were Essex Senior League clubs and there were other clubs with decent budgets, it could be argued that last year was the most competitive ESL ever. It was a triumph for Tilbury who won the Championship and promotion back to Isthmian North with 86 points from 38 games and a gap of 9 points back to Woodford Town in second place.

This season, Marc and Liam were recognised by the League as Managers of the Month for October, as The Dockers won 16 points out of 18 and won through in the Velocity Trophy.

Tilbury's Season So Far

The Dockers have had an excellent season, faring by far the best of the teams promoted into Isthmian North. They currently sit in 6th place with 69 points and are 5 points behind the final play off spot.

Tilbury made some eye catching signings pre-season, bringing together Lewis and Jordan Clark and signing experienced forwards Lewis Manor, Alex Akrofi and Sam Bantick. Sadly, Lewis Manor suffered a horrible knee injury in early September which ended his season. His replacement, Alex Hernandez, signed from Aveley, has had an excellent campaign, banging in 24 goals (21 in the league), so far.

The Dockers have continued to invest in their squad, signing Harrison Day on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, Lindell Stewart from Dover Athletic, and the familiar, formidable figure of Darren Philipps from Maldon and Tiptree.

There have been home wins against 3 of the top 5 sides; Felixstowe and Walton, Waltham Abbey and Brightlingsea Regent. Things have been tougher away from the EMR, but there was a notable win in the first ever competitive game at Cambridge City's new ground at Sawston, in front of over 1,400 spectators.

In Cup competitions, there was a good run in the F.A.Cup knocking out Buckhurst Hill, Stanway Rovers and Brantham Athletic before losing 2-0 at home to National South side, Chelmsford City.
In the F.A.Trophy a win on penalties against Welwyn Garden City was followed by a 4-0 loss at Southern Central team, Berkhampstead Town.
In the Velocity Cup there was a win at Haringey Borough on penalties having been 4-0 down with 20 minutes to go! This was followed up by another comeback win, this time 2-1 at Step 3 Wingate and Finchley. The run was halted in the 4th Round by Hendon 2-1.
Finally in the Essex Senior Cup good wins away at Ilford and then Saffron Walden Town, before a narrow loss at Heybridge Swifts.

Macca Joynes has made the most appearances this season with 53, followed by Jamie Reynolds with 49 and Oli Spooner with 45.

Playing Links

As you would expect, numerous players have represented both clubs, far too many to list here.

Looking at the current squads, Tilbury include former Blues, Macca Joynes, Lewis Clark, Connor Martin and Kieran Jones. Jack McQueen was at Tilbury before moving recently to Great Wakering Rovers. Joe Agunbiade and David Knight have also played for The Dockers this campaign.
In Grays squad will be Sam Bantick who represented Tilbury 37 times this season, scoring 14 goals, with 8 in the league, before returning to The Blues.

Current Form

Often in derby games like El Chavico, form can go out of the window. However, both teams are going well.
In Tilbury's last 6 games, they have earned 12 points with 4 wins and 2 losses. Although Tilbury are the away team on Monday, they are of course our landlords, so looking at away form comes with a big pinch of salt.
Probably the more relevant stat is how successful they have been at the EMR this season with 14 wins out of 20 matches, equal with Champions Elect, Brentwood Town. On Easter Saturday they had a fine win 3-0 over Newmarket Town.

Grays form has been a revelation since that cold Tuesday evening at Concord Rangers. The team spirit in the late, late show at Redbridge on Saturday was outstanding. Against a very impressive side, the second half was relentless. That made it 9 league wins on the spin, with an incredible 8 of those by a single goal.

In terms of form at the EMR, The Blues have won their last 4 games and have 10 wins out of 20 in total.

Summary

A big crowd is expected so please try to arrive early.

This is our final home game of the season with just a visit to Newham to play Sporting Bengal, to come. As a quick reminder, if you have not done so already, please submit your votes for Supporters Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season. The more supporters who vote, the better and the boys deserve your votes.

El Chavico always has plenty riding on it, but this game has something extra, as Tilbury must win to keep their hopes of replacing Brightlingsea Regent in the play offs, alive. Brightlingsea's final two games are away at Gorleston and home to Haringey Borough, both of which could be tricky. After El Chavico, Tilbury finish the regular season at home to Maldon and Tiptree.

For The Blues, the extra incentive comes from trying to extend the astonishing run to a perfect 10 and setting up a chance of overtaking The Dockers in the final league table.

This is one game you really do not want to miss. Come along and show your support for your team. Up The Blues!