Grays completed the 2025/26 season, our tenth as a supporter owned club, (including the two Covid interrupted campaigns) with a defeat on the Norfolk Coast against Gorleston, in a game that was a microcosm of our season.

Grays went into the game knowing that Mildenhall needed a big win at Felixstowe combined with a bad loss for ourselves to overturn an 11 goal deficit. If Mildenhall won their game, then Takeley would also need a point to avoid being overtaken by The Hall.

It was a glorious sunny afternoon in Great Yarmouth and there were two changes to the starting XI from the Lowestoft game with a welcome return for Joe Paxman, in at right back for Tyler Brampton and Sam Wade at centre forward for Manny Ogunrinde who was named as one of our substitutes.

One of our achilles heels this season have been slow starts where we concede the first goal far too easily. This was the case again against Gorleston. On 6 minutes Blues conceded possession in midfield and a well weighted ball opened up our defence. Luke Johnson's cross to the back post was on point and Spencer Keller finished confidently.

Within a minute Grays nearly equalised as Ned Hepburn's free kick flicked off the head of The Green's skipper, Adam Tann and hit the post with goalkeeper Antoni Bort beaten.

There was then a period of stalemate until on 22 minutes, another long ball found Gorleston's Luke Johnson in the clear but looking well offside. For once the error did no matter, as the finish was wasteful.

It took until 35 minutes for Grays to really get going and it was Ned Hepburn wriggling free on the right hand side of the box who got behind the Greens defence. The cross was blocked out for a corner, but, within a minute, another cross found Jordan Clark and his header smacked the woodwork. This time the ball was recycled and Jordan's header was finished off by Myles Anderson, scoring his first goal for The Blues.

1-1 at Half time and there was more good news as Felixstowe had gone in 2-0 up on Mildenhall. Now the jeopardy was for Gorleston, going for the final play off place. With rivals Bowers and Pitsea and Redbridge both drawing and Wroxham losing at Takeley, a win for our hosts could give them that all important 5th place.

Grays started the second half better and on 50 minutes a long ball from Gabriel Chapps found Sam Wade, who showed great skill to fashion a shooting opportunity from 20 yards. Sam's shot was heading for the top corner before Bort did well to tip it over the bar.

Sadly, Blues could not keep the momentum going and conceded a frankly, terrible goal on 54 minutes. A long throw from the left by Lewis Johnson sailed to the edge of the 6 yard box, but George Marsh failed to collect and from the ensuing melee, Adam Tann bundled home.

The goal gave Gorleston confidence and for a while Blues' heads dropped. Gorleston scored a third on 65 minutes following the best pass of the match. The ball was worked out to Jacob Marsden on the left touchline and his excellent first time vollied pass curved invitingly behind the Grays defence for Luke Johnson to run onto and finish comfortably past George.

Then, in a similar fashion to the Brightlingsea game, a free kick from Ned picked out Gabriel in the box but on this occasion he couldn't get control of the ball quickly enough and his shot was well blocked out for a corner.

We then had something of a comedy moment as a long hanging cross from the right went through George's hands and Ryan Curtis recycled the ball back across the box for Louis Mcintosh who must have thought he had scored the 4th, but instead brought an amazing reaction save from George as he ran back across his goal line.

On 78 minutes, Grays were left shorthanded and Curtis breezed past Joe Paxman before bringing another top drawer save from George down to his left. A minute later and Keller danced his way into the box but shot straight at the Grays stopper.

Blues huffed and puffed looking for a consolation but compared to the close understanding between the Gorleston players, there was a lack of cohesion between The Blues and the season ended with another defeat, our 22nd in the league this term. Survival was secured thanks to Felixstowe completing a 3-0 victory over Mildenhall.

However, for our hosts, the drama was not over. As our game finished they were in 5th place and heading for the play offs; Bowers had lost, Wroxham had lost and Redbridge were drawing 3-3 with Concord but were still playing deep in injury time. However, it was heartbreak for The Greens as, in the 95th minute, Darren Esuka scored for Redbridge giving them the win they needed. Our commiserations to Gorleston but they have had an excellent season and finish in 6th place on 71 points.

In the title race, Maldon were beaten 3-2 by a rejuvenated Walthamstow, having been 2-0 up with 18 minutes to go. The Jammers take the title on goal difference from Felixstowe and Walton, with both sides finishing on 97 points and 17 clear of Waltham Abbey in 3rd. In the play off semi finals, Felixstowe will host Redbridge and Waltham Abbey are at home to surprise package, Stanway Rovers.

If the two home sides win their games, it will be Felixstowe hosting Waltham Abbey, a game which in the regular season finished 7-2 to The Abbotts!

Joining us next season, subject to ratification could be Canvey Island and Hashtag United from the Isthmian Premier and AFC Sudbury from Southern Premier Central. Teams that have won promotion from Step 5 are Little Oakley (Essex Senior League), Mulbarton Wanderers (Thurlow Nunn Premier) and Haringey Borough (Spartan South Midland). There are still play offs to be decided of course with the ESL being contested between Soul Tower Hamlets, Great Wakering Rovers, Buckhurst Hill and Barking.

Summary of the Season

The first thing to say is we live to fight another day. A relegation would've been financially very painful for us, but we have, (admittedly with a lot of help from other teams beating our rivals), dodged that bullet.

This has been a campaign where just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. We have suffered one of the worst run of injuries any of us can remember. The curse of the centre half; at least 8 players captained the team including 3 in the first half alone at Waltham Abbey; we even lost a player to an injury in training before he made his debut and he never made an appearance. Every team gets injuries but you have to wonder why this season was so bad.

In football as in life, you need some good luck and in terms of our games early in the season, it was in short supply. We were desperately unlucky at Hitchin in the FA Cup, with a freak equaliser from the last play of the game and were on the wrong end of a very disappointing refereeing performance at Hanwell in the Trophy. At times it seemed if we made a mistake it inevitably led to a goal. At one stage every goalkeeper we faced played a blinder against us.

However, none of this should hide the simple truth; the league table does not lie.

When we won a game, we struggled to back it up. We won 12 league games but remarkably, lost the following games on 9 occasions. The one time we did back up a win was at home to Brantham, who were really struggling with their own issues at the time.

Also look at our results in games with the best attendances. In our five best attended home games when you would hope we raise our game to the occasion, we lost four and drew the other 0-0. It was a similar story away from home as we failed to find a win in the seven best attended games. We played well in the second El Chavico but could not convert this into a win or even a point.

Still its not all doom and gloom. We have found some talented young players who hopefully will stay with us for next season. I honestly believe the talent is there.

Whilst the season may be over, don't forget that our Annual Awards event takes place at Tyrrells Hall on Friday 8th May. Tickets are available on the Fanbase App.

Our role as supporters has never been more important. Don't forget to renew your membership shares; we are supporter owned and the more shareholders we have, the stronger our financial position and the more competitive we are. If you're struggling for a present for someone, why not buy them a share for next season and invite them to come and watch us play.

The Big Draw and 12th Man initiatives provide important income for us and we all need to keep supporting and promoting them amongst family, friends and neighbours.

Have a safe summer, enjoy your down time and we go again next season, starting with the friendlies; keep an eye on our website and social media for details.