A Dark world for Grays

Grays Athletic yesterday confirmed that the man replacing Paul Joynes as manager of Grays Athletic is skipper Lewis Dark.

Lewis told the club website:

“As First Team Manager, my ambitions will be to drive this club to the next level, however, I am under no illusions as to the challenges that lie ahead.

Of course, there will be ups and downs, although I believe that with the right blend of youth and experience, along with hard work on the training ground, we will have a team that supporters can be proud of.

Along with my management team, we will be getting to work straight away and hope to secure the nucleus of the current squad to maintain continuity and togetherness.

We will also be looking to strengthen in certain areas as we look to compete at the top end of the league

Grays Athletic is a club I have represented at three stages during my career and it is one that I am extremely fond of. I can assure everyone that I will be giving my upmost to fulfil the potential of this huge football club.”

The new manager has appointed coach Ash Miller as his Assistant.

Lewis made seventeen appearances for the club last season, six during 2020-21, and thirty one during 2019-20. He has advised the club that he is "nearing the end of his playing career"- but whether that means he will still be pulling on his boots as boss remains to be seen.

As a player, he came through the ranks at Brentford, and is on his third spell with Athletic. He has also played for the likes of Maldon & Tiptree, Witham Town, Heybridge Swifts and Bishop's Stortford.

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