Millers man thanked for getting game on

Aveley's Craig Johnson was publicly thanked this week by Grays Athletic for helping to ensure their Ryman Premier clash with Billericay Town went ahead.

Isthmian League director Johnson is the secretary, programme editor and groundsman at the Millers and he was hailed by Athletic's officials after he made last Saturday's 2-0 Blues win possible with his work on the pitch.

In a statement on their website, Aveley's ground-sharing guests at Mill Field thanked Johnson, pictured patrolling his beloved turf, on behalf of everyone connected to the Blues for helping them beat the torrential rain that fell ahead of last weekend.

Athletic said: "The club would like to say a big thank you to Aveley FC groundsman Craig Johnson for the all the hard work that he put in to make Saturday's match against Billericay Town at Mill Field possible.

"As you are no doubt aware we had a significant amount of rainfall in days leading up to our Ryman Premier match. It is not an easy task managing a surface with several teams playing on it, and with such heavy rainfall.

"The club would like to express our appreciation for all that is being done to make the Mill Field pitch playable. Your efforts Craig are very much appreciated by all the staff and supporters of Grays Athletic FC."

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