Football Focus Issue 73 | Page 76

Grays Athletic FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG FF: Would you consider yours to be a community club? RS: Yes, very much so. I think when we left the Rec and moved away from Grays (not our choice) we lost our way a little with the local community. It’s difficult when you don’t own a ground of your own, it puts the club in a nomadic cycle. The club is very keen to re-engage with the local community and are exploring avenues to reconnect with the locals. We have already invited some local youth teams to be our match day mascots and the club is engaging with local schools ensuring that they know about the clubs intentions for the future. FF: What do you believe could be some of the biggest challenges the club may face in the next 5 years? RS: Not owning your own ground is the biggest challenge that the club currently faces. We currently groundshare with local side Aveley FC and will be moving into their new purpose 76 Issue 73 built stadium in August. Not owning your own ground means you have very little financial revenue. Not being located in the club’s home town of Grays is also a massive challenge. Aveley’s ground is about three miles from Grays, and although we have a core support of about 200, many locals in Grays find it difficult to make the journey to Aveley. So I think having our own ground is essential for the club’s long term future. FF: What are the club’s ambitions for the next 5 years? RS: Hopefully a return to Grays in a purpose built community stadium. Talks are currently underway between the club and a local school to relocate the club back to Grays. All being well we will be back in Grays within the next five years. In the meantime the c lub will continue to engage with the community and invite supporters to become shareholders of the club.