The two teams met at the EMR Stadium back in October, with Grays emerging victorious 2-0, with an early goal from Alejandro Machedo and a very late injury time special from Aron Gordon.

Last season was Wanderers first at Step 4, having won back to back Championships in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League. This rapid rise up the pyramid required the club to focus on meeting ground grading requirements. A big effort managed to complete the required improvements in time for the GBS Stadium to be graded for Step 4 football.

In the two games between the teams, Grays did the double, with a very good 4-1 win away. Scorers that evening were Billy Crook, Charlie Stimson and a brace from Codey Cosgrave (now enjoying a fruitful season with Trophy heroes, Sittingbourne). The Wanderers' consolation came from Rashid Salau. The return game at Tilbury at the end of the season, was an entertaining affair, with an early Stimson brace putting Grays 2-0 up before Salau and Goodward brought Wanderers level. Grays grabbed the win with a late header from sub, Jack Wilson. As a result the teams ended next to one another in the final league table, Grays in 16th and Wanderers in 17th.

Two players have represented both sides. Ipswich Town legend, Jason Dozzell was winding down his playing career when he joined Grays for a short spell in 2002/3. A season we can remember for a number of high profile players who came and went as new manager Mark Stimson sought a winning formula. After he left, Jason became player manager of the Wanderers, staying for 3 years before departing for Leiston.
This season, former Grays player "Ozzy" Adeniji turned out on 9 occasions for our opponents.

The 24/25 season has been one to forget for the Wanderers and they currently sit in last place in the league with 13 points from 30 games and therefore 16 points from safety. They won their first league game of the season at the EMR, against our landlords, Tilbury, but since then there has been just one more win, at home to Basildon on 17th September.

In the FA Cup, Wanderers lost a replay to Newmarket Town having won through two Preliminary Rounds. In the FA Trophy a good win against Gorleston was followed by a loss at Southern League, Hadley Town (tell us about it!).
Interest in the Suffolk Senior Cup was ended by a defeat on penalties to National League North team, Needham Market.

Wanderers are managed by Michael Brothers who took over from Glenn Driver in November. Michael was previously first team coach at Braintree Town, helping them to promotion last term from National League South and then re-establishing themselves in the National League.

One signing we should note is Jose de la Paz who scored an stunning solo breakaway goal against us for Newmarket Town. Rashid Salau scored in both games against us last season.

The form guide for the two teams should come with a Government health warning; Wanderers have gone 25 league games without a win and Grays have just one win in the last 13. Wanderers lost their last home game narrowly against Waltham Abbey 1-0, and last time out lost a crucial game at Haringey Borough, 2-0.
Unless Wanderers can come up with the greatest of escapes, relegation, sadly, looks inevitable. However, there are good people at the Club and with the ground grading in place and a highly regarded manager, there are reasons to be positive for next season, whatever level they are playing at.

Grays paid the price for being slow out of the blocks on Tuesday evening against the league's form team, Brightlingsea Regent. Defensive errors were punished clinically, which is so often the difference in football. Grays had more opportunities, but either the final ball or the finish was lacking, with just Samir Ali's bundled goal to show for their hard graft. Regent were slick and well drilled and sought to manage the game in the 2nd half. Their push for the play offs continues.

Getting To Ipswich Wanderers.

The coach leaves The Oak at 11.30.

By car. Take the A12 to the A14 junction and then either follow the A1214 Ring Road round to East Ipswich, beyond the hospital, or follow the A14 East over the Orwell Bridge, then the A12 to the Martlesham Park and Ride roundabout and take the A1214 toward Ipswich.
From the A1214 take the turn onto Playford Road then left into Humber Doucy Road. The ground and car park are on the right.
The stadium postcode is IP4 3NR.

By public transport. Take the Liverpool Street line to Ipswich and from outside the station, the 66 or 66A Mainline bus services. The closest stop is close to the Playford Road junction and you can walk from there.

Both teams will be up for the win on Saturday. We need all our loyal supporters to join us and get behind the team as we seek to get the elusive victory and inject some much needed momentum for the remainder of the season. Away the Ath!