Two rival non league teams announce a new groundshare this week, with Grays Athletic leaving Aveley for Tilbury from next season.
The Blues, currently chasing promotion from the Isthmian League North Division, are in the midst of a planning application that – if approved – would hopefully see them move into Thurrock FC’s derelict ground in Aveley.
Grays are, at present, tenants at Aveley FC’s Parkside ground, but look set to leave after 10 seasons.
A big thank you to our friends at @tilburyfc it is very much appreciated and we look forward to a warm welcome. Its quite fitting to have the boroughs to oldest football teams in one place, if possibly only for one season. https://t.co/8tYQHIBYPZ
— Grays Athletic Football Club (@GraysAthleticFC) February 3, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Grays Athletic would like to clarify the position in respect of where our men’s first team will be playing their matches next season.
Of course, the club had hoped by now, that we would be in our own stadium after so many years as a homeless team, however, the ongoing situation with the Ship Lane planning application, coupled with the continued delay in the decision around the Lower Thames Crossing (option C was chosen almost 6 years ago), has meant that we need to be looking at a new groundshare agreement for the forthcoming season (2023/24) with an option for the following season (2024/25).
Obviously, with the cost of living issues that individuals and businesses are facing, as expected, clubs that rent their grounds to other teams are going to be looking at charging higher rates to cover their costs and the challenge for us is to find an affordable groundshare that will enable us to still be competitive at this level.
With this in mind, we are pleased to announce that Grays Athletic have accepted an offer from Tilbury FC to share at the EMR Stadium at Chadfields next season and their new stadium during the following campaign.
The club is extremely grateful to Tilbury FC Chairman, Danny Nash and his committee for accommodating us and we look forward to building on the good relationship between our two clubs.
We are aware that some of our supporters will be disappointed that we will no longer be playing at Parkside, whilst others will be pleased about the move, especially if this helps them geographically and with transport links.
Lastly and importantly, Grays Athletic would like to play tribute to all at Aveley FC for their help over the ten seasons we have ground shared with them at Mill Field and the fantastic new facility at Parkside.
Our ex player, Craig Johnson, will always have a special place in our history as, if he hadn’t stepped in last minute during the close season of 2013 to allow us to share at Aveley, our club would have folded or had to drop a long way down the football pyramid.
We look forward to our remaining games at Parkside and wish Aveley all the very best with their current promotion push.
📝 End of an era at Aveley Football Club, as Grays Athletic have chosen to enter a groundshare with Tilbury FC for the 2023/24 season.
“Tell me of a groundshare that ran smoother than ours for that length of time and you will be hard pressed.”
– @MillerJohno pic.twitter.com/Lq2AXv2eR0
— Aveley Football Club (@AveleyFC) February 3, 2023
Grays Athletic kitman ‘Sim @rhino1890’, tweeted: “We are just a group of people trying to keep a 133 year old Football club alive.
“Yes the option isn’t ideal or what we want and I understand it’s football rivalry but what’s the other option just give up.
“I’d never want to see any Club rival or not fold. #ThisIsOurClub #1890”
This is what fans had to say as two rival non league teams announce a new groundshare…
@PerryGowler: Good move this.
@GraysAth1890: Never underestimate our fans, we will keep following wherever that may take us, not everything is ideal but we will do the necessary to keep all our teams playing from groms to grandparents! 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️1️⃣8️⃣9️⃣0️⃣
@CarolB29041964: This is so true and i’d hate to see any club struggling to survive even @GraysAthleticFC main rivals. Hate seeing Southend United in trouble and praying they survive.
@sambantick: If they really wanted to help they would. They wouldn’t turn the hot water off every time we play, they wouldn’t turn off the scoreboard every time we play and they wouldn’t be putting the rental costs up so high that the club can’t afford to pay it. Money talks 🤝
@tilburyboy: Cant get a nearer local derby than that “El Chavico” 23/24 🍻
@RussWWFC: Another opportunity to retick Chadfields before it goes, hopefully try the food too.
@tilburyboy: Putting rivalry aside mate, we’ve made some good friends over recent year’s and shared a few pints together, im sure everyone @tilburyfc will make your club and supporters welcome.
@geoffl65: Thank you @saskinner1969 and the board of directors for all of your hard work for continuing to ensure the future of our great club….Tilbury isn’t Grays, but it’s the closest we’ve been for years #OnwardsAndUpwards #BringGraysAthHome
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