Following the pre season friendlies and a well contested Stan Veness Memorial Trophy game with Tilbury, The Blues get their season proper underway on Saturday with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round tie against Essex Senior League side, Barking FC. The tie is away at Barking's Lawtech Stadium, Mayesbrook Park with a 3.00 KO.

This is the 100th time Grays have entered the FA Cup, so if anyone fancies bringing a cake? Just be careful lighting all those candles!
We share the honour of our 100th FA Cup entry this season with several other clubs, including last seasons Isthmian League Champions, Horsham, and perhaps surprisingly, Leeds United.

Our recent history in the F.A.Cup has been somewhat disappointing. It's now 10 years since our last really good run, when we got so close to beating Welling United in the 4th Qualifying Round. In goal for us that day was Barking's current keeper, Lamar Joseph-Johnson.

Our hosts, Barking, (also called The Blues), are very familiar opponents. Over the long history of both clubs, we have met numerous times, going right back to the earliest days. Aside from Tilbury, I believe we have played more games against Barking than any other club.
One of the biggest was in the final of the Essex Senior Cup in 1919/20 in front of a record crowd of 10,000. Barking won 2-1 with one of the goals being scored by the legendary Jack Leslie, who went on to play for Plymouth Argyle and became the first black player to be called up to the England side. Jack's story is captured in Matt Tiller's book, The Lion Who Never Roared: The Star Robbed of England Glory; a must read.

We have also met on 10 occasions in the FA Cup, with both sides progressing 5 times, most recently in the first qualifying round in 1999/2000 at Mayesbrook Park, when a single goal from Ricky Hazle decided the game in Grays' favour.

Our most recent games against Barking were in Isthmian North in 2021/2022. Having won a really tough game, 1-0, away, Grays did the double by winning 5-2 at Parkside. At the end of that season, Barking were very unluckily relegated. They were docked 3 points by the League, which was decisive. In their final game, they climbed out of the automatic relegation places by winning at Tilbury. However, rivals Witham Town were still playing and scored a 95th minute winner, (Josh Osude), lifting them above The Blues at the last breath.

There have been many players to have played for both clubs, including Kenedi Dariri who made such a good impression with us last season. However, it is Barking's Manager who is most familiar to Grays fans of a certain vintage.

Craig Edwards joined us as manager in the middle of the 2000/01 season, with The Blues rooted to the bottom of the Isthmian Premier League. Craig immediately inspired a win in a 6 pointer at Dulwich Hamlet and then guided us to a safe middle table position.

Things got even better in 2001/02, as Craig built a hard working, pacy side capable of beating anyone in the IPL. That side finished 6th in the table, reached the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup and the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy. Expectation was sky high for 2002/03, but a relatively slow start saw Craig relieved of his duties, for many of us, far too quickly. However, he was replaced by Mark Stimson and we all know what happened then.

Craig has gone on to great success at sides such as Redbridge, Chelmsford City, Billericay Town and Cheshunt. It's no wonder he was given the honour of being the second ever inductee into the Isthmian League Hall of Fame.

Craig joined Barking for a second spell in the middle of last season and spurred them on to a play off semi final played at a Takeley side who were invincible on their own ground throughout 2024/25. The semi final was lost 2-0 but will no doubt have raised hopes for a big campaign this time round. It would be no surprise whatsoever if Barking are right in the mix for the ESL title this season. Its going to be very competitive and other teams appear to have bigger budgets, but Barking will be right there, I'm sure.

Barking's league season has already started. Following an impressive 1-0 win at Mayesbrook Park against Basildon United, they lost 3-1 at White Ensign, having been ahead at half time. Appearing for Barking in these games alongside Lamar were former Grays players Pat Ahern, James Folkes and Michele Macari. Also playing for Barking was Ramiah Mills, who has caused us problems on several occasions, especially when he played for Witham Town.

The postcode for the Lawtech Stadium is RM8 2JR. Head west on the A13 and come off at the Lodge Avenue junction before the flyover and take the A1153 toward Romford and Beacontree Heath. At the mini roundabout continue straight on up Lodge Avenue for just over a 1/4 mile. There is a car park at the ground and marked parking along Lodge Avenue.

By public transport, make your way to Upney on the District Line. On leaving the station, turn left heading along Upney Lane for 200 yards, taking the first right into The Drive. Follow this road to the end and enter Mayesbrook Park. Keep to the left of the lake and head towards the right of the leisure centre. The ground is situated beyond this.

The 368 bus service between Barking Station and Chadwell Heath passes the ground. Please check TFL for times and any disruption.

So, in summary, an intriguing fixture, potentially one of the best ties of the Round. We look forward to seeing you all at the game, getting behind the lads from the start.

Come on you Blues!