Aveley come to the rescue of homeless Grays Athletic

THE MILL FIELD at Aveley will be the home of Grays Athletic for the 2013-14 season.

In a statement on their website, Aveley FC have stated:

“Grays Athletic recently approached us with a request to ground share, having the lost their home at Rush Green due to West Ham United insisting on sole use.

“The impact on our local neighbours could have been disastrous as FA rules state that ground shares have to be agreed by the 31st March for the season following.

“Losing Rush Green could have meant Grays would not be in a position to compete at any level within the National Non League system for the forthcoming season, however with the co-operation of both ourselves and the Ryman Football League, Grays will be playing football in the Ryman Premier Division next season, at Mill Field, the home of Aveley Football Club.

“Grays Ath are still looking to build their own ground back in the town, and for security and peace of mind we have agreed a two-year deal with them at Mill Field.”

Grays Athletic issued a statement on Saturday morning (June 15th)

It reads: “The club, and the company managing the facility, are considering legal proceedings over the circumstances which have led to this relocation. Therefore, without prejudice, I would like to thank the Ryman League, Aveley Football Club and Billericay Town Football Club (who also offered us the use of their ground),for their assistance in this matter.

“A venue will be identified shortly to enable our Under-21s to compete in the Ryman U-21 League this season. I would also like to place on record my thanks to our supporters who gave up hundreds of hours of their own time, transforming Rush Green from its tumbleweed state, to achieve the ground grading which was needed by West Ham United U-21s and ourselves.

“The scheduled pre-season matches at Rush Green will go ahead as planned. There has been some speculation over recent days over this issue, however until such time as formal notice was served by West Ham United, all that we could do; was to prepare contingency plans. The decision to accept Aveley’s offer of the use of their ground was made at an Emergency Board meeting last night. I would also like to thank Hakan for his patience whilst the ground issue has been resolved, as this has significantly undermined his preparation for next season.

The Ryman League board have agreed to the groundshare.

A statement on their website reads: “Grays Athletic FC has recently reported to the League that they have difficulty playing at their Rush Green Road ground for season 2013-2014, despite appearing to have security of tenure.

“The Board of Directors have considered the facts as they know them and have advised the Club that they expect all efforts to be made to play at Rush Green Road next season, but in default the Board will permit a ground share, notwithstanding the ground share was not arranged by 31st March.

“The Board was satisfied that the Club Club was unaware of the difficulties on 31st March and therefore had to make a common sense decision to enable the Club to play football in the 2013-2014 season.”