By Bill Robinson
This weekend our local teams Grays Ath., East Thurrock and Thurrock played home games, Tilbury were away to Romford playing at Mill Field and Aveley were at Canvey Island. The total number of supporters watching these games was 1,010 the average gate for these teams totals 1,501. So this weekend the attendances were down by 33% Why?
This weekend there was no Premiership football to draw our locals away. It was Valentines weekend so was everyone shopping for that special gift?
Grays we know have issues on and off the field and their fans feel alienated, Thurrock are the high flyers in their division chasing a play off place. East Thurrock are still hoping to push for another play off after losing out last so cruelly last season. Aveley their first season in the Ryman Premier where chasing their third league win in eight days. Tilbury had a local derby at Mill Field against Romford.
Therefore we had some potential thrilling local games to watch, but why didn’t the fans turn up?
I think football is starting to lose it’s heart within the community, people are no longer willing to pay out for non league football which is a real shame as this is true bread and butter football not like the jumped up primma donnas of the premiership.
The lack of advertising througout the borough for all the local teams does not help either as people do not know when the fixtures are unless you attend the games.
It is unfortunate with Grays Athletic as they are the senior team in the borough but the lack of performances on the pitch is driving the fans away in their droves, maybe it is time to regroup and look to a lower league and rebuild for the future as a part time team?
One option would be to merge some of the team in the area and try and develop a joint fan base, this could be the only way forward for the survival of local grass roots football.