Football Focus Issue 70 | Page 24

Ely City FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG Ely City FOOTBALL CLUB E ly City FC enjoyed a fine run in the FA Cup this season and is putting plans in place in order to secure a bright future. Football Focus Magazine recently caught up with Club Representative Martin Grey to find out more about the good work that they have been doing lately. Involvement He told us, “I first started playing for Ely City Colts as a twelve year old when our Ely Crusaders team switched over to Ely City. I progressed and played youth football and men’s football and made my first team debut as a 17 year old away to Wroxham. I left the club at 25 to play for another team but returned in the summer of 2014 at the age of 31 to take up the role of assistant manager for the first team alongside Brady Stone who had taken the manager’s job earlier in the year.” The Role “On the playing side the most challenging factors are keeping hold of your best players. We would never stop a player going higher and testing 24 Issue 70 themselves but a sideways move for a little extra money is always a struggle to understand. The flip side of this is that it is frustrating when some players refuse to make the step up to our level and test themselves, remaining in their comfort zone at a lower level. The rewarding aspects as assistant manager is whenever we get a positive result, the changing room is a much better place to be and training the following week always has a better buzz about it. It is rewarding to see plans and things you work on come off, it is also rewarding to see young players develop and make an impact.” fairly upbeat. The first team have a lot to play for still as they look to move away from the relegation battle. The reserve team are holding their own under new managers this season. The Under 18s are performing well, equalling the clubs best ever performance in the FA Youth Cup and our new Under 15 side are also performing well. Aside from the playing side, there is a new Leisure Village being built in close proximity to the ground which it is hoped will attract new visitors to the football club.” Atmosphere “The FA Vase record breaking run was way above any achievement dreamt of by the club. To reach the 5th round (last 32) for the first time in the club’s history “Following a record breaking performance in the FA Vase the club is Present