Grays Athletic Football Club, nicknamed “The Gravelmen,” is a non-league football club based in Tilbury, Essex.
Established in 1970, they currently compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division, which is part of the eighth tier of English football. The team calls Chadfields their home ground.
At the time of writing, Darren Manning is the current manager with experience at Basildon United among his past roles.
History
Grays Athletic F.C., established in 1890, has seen varied fortunes in its history. Initially part of an athletic club, it became an independent football club in 1904. Achieving Senior Status in 1909, it joined the Athenian League in 1912. The club won the London League three times in the 1920s and had multiple Essex Senior Cup victories. The mid-20th century saw challenges, including ground disputes, but also successes like winning the Isthmian League Division Two South title in 1984-85.
The early 2000s marked a golden era under manager Mark Stimson, with the club winning the Conference South in 2004-05 and twice capturing the FA Trophy. However, the following years brought decline and relegation threats. Changes in management and a shift to supporter ownership in 2016 occurred alongside ground sharing with various clubs.
Recently, Grays Athletic has been ground sharing with Tilbury and is on the brink of acquiring its own ground at Ship Lane, signaling a hopeful future for the club.
Staff
Current management and coaching staff
Alumni
Former players and managers elsewhere in the non-league pyramid