Stimson returns to Grays Athletic

Two FA Trophy wins and a Conference South title triumph. Mark Stimson's first reign as Grays Athletic boss leaves him with an awful lot to live up to to as he once more takes the hotseat- but this time we suspect his goals will be more modest but perhaps even more important, Pitching In Isthmian North promotion and a club with a home of its own.

Mark, who recently left Pitching In Isthmian Premier Hornchurch after yet another FA Trophy win and two consecutive Pitching In Isthmian Premier Play Off Finals, will be hoping that the local authority approve a plan that will see his new club awarded the chance to play at the home of one of his former clubs, Thurrock FC. He was in charge of Thurrock when their demise was confirmed, so there would be a marvellous irony were he to be the manager who oversaw the return of football to Ship Lane.

Athletic confirmed the return of Stimson last night.

Chairman Lee Vehit explained:

"We are incredibly pleased to be able to bring Mark Stimson into the football club as our new manager and hopefully this appointment is a statement of our intent this upcoming season on where we want to be going as a football club".

"Myself and the Board have worked incredibly hard to make this appointment happen and I hope the fans are as excited as I am about our future and the potential we have as a football club. Mark's love for Grays Athletic and his previous history with the club alongside his incredible achievements in the game make Mark the perfect person to help us realise our potential".

As a player, Stimson played at the highest level with Tottenham Hotspur, then moved on to Newcastle United, Portsmouth and Southend United. He dropped into Non League and helped Canvey Island to FA Trophy glory, and after leaving Grays won the Trophy again as manager of Stevenage.

Read more here.

Athletic will be sharing Chadfields with Tilbury next season.

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