ON THE eve of the season, YT casts an eye over the five teams in the borough as we assess their strengths and weaknesses as well as foolishly trying to predict where they will end up at the end of the season.
RYMAN PREMIER
EAST THURROCK UNITED
East Thurrock United have been the pre-dominant side in the borough for the last couple of years. Promotion to the Ryman Premier was followed by their wonderful FA Cup run in 2011-12, which was in turn followed by a berth in the play-offs last season.
Momentum would indicate that they will want to build upon that however there have been a number of high profile departures over the summer including Sam Higgins, Sam Collins, Kris Newby and Kye Ruel, to name but a few.
With that in mind, don’t expect too much however, boss John Coventry is a shrewd operator and we feel he will build and mould a team that by October may be starting to make in-roads.
Prediction: 10/24
GRAYS ATHLETIC
Grays Athletic produced a tremendous run of form last season to win the Ryman Div One North by a country mile. The pressure was on boss Hakan Heyrettin, especially after losing at home to Cheshunt 4-1 in January. Assist manager, Hassan suddenly disappeared and Steve Kirby arrived. One wonders whether it was Steve who was able to stop the constant tinkering allied with keeper Lamar Johnson returning (or rather erratic George Kamarusi not playing).
Whatever, the pressure is off and you get the feeling that the fans will be happy with survival. Which is just as well really. The pre-season friendlies have hardly been strenuous work outs. Perhaps not the type that would leave you ready for the challenges of Bognor in August and beyond. However, they have played with real fluency in the friendlies and with no pressure on them, who knows?
Most signings appear to be Ryman Div One North standard. They may miss Danny Bunce and will certainly miss Leon Lalite, if, as it appears, he has not committed to all games.
Consolidation, learning curve, development season etc.
Prediction 20/24
RYMAN DIV ONE NORTH
AVELEY
If it was down to sheer enthusiasm, then Justin Gardener and his team, would win this league by a mile. You have to admire the man. yes, he may be Pepe Guardiola impersonates David Brent but he lights up the league and it is infectious.
With the plans to move across the by-pass, things are looking up. Can they replicate it with the core business of winning promotion? Again, this is another team that have lost players, however clubs will not be looking forward to coming to the Mill Field.
The Millermen will also want to improve on their poor discipline record from last season.
Prediction: 5/24
THURROCK
Relegation was a bitter blow to everyone concerned with Thurrock. In April 2012, they were playing in the Conference South. By August 2013, they line up in the Ryman Div One North.
The first test will be whether Mark Stimson has the ambition to get his own career and that of his young team, back travelling up stream again. You have the feeling that they might just have something about them. It can be a rough old world in RD1N but the were a competitive team last season.
Prediction: 4/24
TILBURY
Watching the Dockers in a pre-season friendly, you are once again impressed by the team spirit in the camp. That can go a long way. A lot of it is down to manager Paul Vaughan and his philosophical attitude.
There are some very handy players here, they have a balance and a tactical thrust that will be difficult for a lot of teams to handle.
Prediction: 9/24
Hope you are wrong, but got a feeling you could be right!
The players have got to believe they belong at this level, and tightening the defence up could be needed, expecting a few 4-3, 3-2 type games this season!