BetVictor Isthmian League- supporters predictions 2019/20: Grays Athletic

We asked supporters of our BetVictor Isthmian League clubs to preview the new season, reflect on the old and predict the final outcome. Their predicted 1-20 (or 22) will be worked into a final table which you will see just before the big kick off.

Grays Athletic seem to be amongst the favourites for North Division success in the forthcoming season. Glyn Jarvis describes the Jim Cooper revolution.

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

I’ve gone for the last game of a fairly average season.

We played away at Mildenhall Town, one of the friendliest clubs in our division, who, sadly, had already been relegated. Within two minutes of the start we were one up. Ok, so they were bottom of the league and we were on the way to securing a decent 7th place, but the special moment was our first goal from a club legend, Dennis Oli. Dennis had scored at Upton Park in our second consecutive FA Trophy win against Woking in 2006 and had returned to the club in the twilight of his career, to help his former playing colleague in that Trophy final, Jamie Stuart, when he was our manager.

It turned out Dennis was playing his last game for us and he has now gone on to pursue his own business career. The simple, but perfect description of the goal by our indefatigable Grays Athletic match reporter, The Mariner, was as follows:

"Blues got off to the best possible start scoring with their first attack after just two minutes. A through ball split the hosts defence finding Dennis Oli, who beat Jake Hayhoe with a clever lob.”

We went on to record a 3-0 victory under our new manager, Jim Cooper who had been appointed with ten games remaining last season.

2. And your worst moment?

It was early season, still August in fact. Rather than a moment it was virtually 90 minutes. We had been drawn away to League newcomers, FC Romania, in the Preliminary Round of the F A Cup. Romania share with Cheshunt and it was proving difficult to fit the game in, so they switched the game to the home of our landlords, Aveley FC, where we groundshare - a virtual home game for us. We didn’t turn up on the day and lost 2-0. I still can’t understand how our players appeared completely de-motivated to play in the world’s best competition!

3. How will you do this season?

Our new manager, Jim Cooper has gone for revolution rather than evolution. As I write this piece, we have just five players who finished last season with us and ten new players, so far! We may take a little while to settle, but with a good blend of youth and experience - I wish I could claim that as an original comment, but I think it’s been used before - we should more than hold our own. To finish at or above our 7th place last season would be a major achievement for a club still relying on the goodwill of our supporters to keep us at this level without a ground to call our own.

4. Which matches are you most looking forward to going to- and why?

We have Cambridge City and Histon joining the League this season and we have had tussles with them both in our Conference days, so that will be fun for me.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

It remains Sudbury for the warm welcome and the facilities. It’s what I said last pre-season, although they had beaten us 1-0 in the last game of 2017-18 season. In 2018-19, we were trailing 2-0 there after 30 minutes, but came back to win 3-2 with the winner being a “worldy” from our midfielder, Mitch Hahn, who doesn’t score ordinary goals. The after-match reception was as warm as ever - a credit to their directors - who must have wondered how they had lost the game.

6. Who do you consider your biggest rivals- and why?

Traditionally, Tilbury over many, many years and well over 100 games between us. We enjoy a great relationship with them off the pitch but for those 180 minutes in our two League games great friendships turn into the great rivalry, just as it should be. Our landlords in the borough of Thurrock, Aveley FC, have also become keen rivals as they seek to maximise their fantastic new facilities and overtake us in the football pyramid.

7. What advice would you give to any away supporter visiting you for the first time?

Come as early as you can. The facilities at Aveley FC are at least as good as any at our level and you will receive a warm welcome from us as soon as you enter the ground.

Our Supporters’ table, just inside the turnstile, will invite you to help our 100% supporter owned and run club by buying some raffle tickets, our (2018-19 Award winning) Match Day Programme and other Grays Athletic memorabilia. All that is before you can move on and relax in the well-appointed bar or enjoy a snack and a cuppa from the tea bar.

8. Who is your favourite player of all time (for your club)- and why?

if I am allowed, I would like to change my choice from last season as there really are so many good players I have watched in our colours over nearly 61 years of supporting my club.

In the 1980s we had a prolific striker - the “black pearl” - Micky Welch. He was a big man, with pace to burn, who frightened defences with his strong running and lethal finishing. He scored 148 goals in 216 appearances and was as responsible as anyone on the field for the renaissance of our club after difficult times in the late 1970s. Apart from his goals and lovely personality, many of us remember Micky for sometimes arriving a little late to join the coach for an away game. There we would be at the then Brentwood Post House – management, players and supporters – waiting patiently – and then a bit impatiently. He usually made it and it was always worth the wait as he would casually board the coach with some feeble excuse and then go on and score the winner later that afternoon!

9. Who will be in the top five at the end of the season?

Coggeshall Town, Maldon & Tiptree, Heybridge Swifts, Canvey Island and Bury Town.

Right, you've read Glyn’s thoughts, do you want to be next? If you'd like to represent your club, then please send an email to townsendaround@gmail.com and we shall see what we can do!