Garvey eventually joined the management team when Glenn Gordon took over the side but still fans and reporters alike and perhaps the players were still uncertain as to who was in charge and at times that was reflected in the way they played. They were relegated to the Ryman Premier. It has now been announced that Robbie is taking over as manager.
Star of the show was Emmanuel Stephens. He ran a fine 10.7 100 metres to take silver and also took a bronze in the 200 m. Another Grays based sprinter 17 year old Lennox Thompson took bronze in the under 20 400 m. Chris Travis just missed out on a medal in the senior men's 200 m finishing in 4th place. As always Michael Shortall took medals in both 110 m hurdles and the 400 m hurdles.
GRAYS ATHLETIC boss Julian Dicks has left the club by mutual consent. The announcement was made by chairman Keith Burns this evening. Dicks, 42, had been manager for two seasons. They were relegated from the Blue Square Premier in the first and finished tenth in the Ryman Div One North last season.
LIFELONG Tilbury fan and former secretary Mark Southgate has joined the ranks of Thurrock FC as their secretary. He steps up to the plate as Norman Posner steps down after 25 years of loyal service with the club.
Man of the match for Thurrock was Aveley's Patrick Halcrow. He won the discus with an outstanding throw of 44.97 metres, the 3rd best in the club's history only Commonweath shot putt champions Billy Cole and Matt Simson have thrown further. He also won the shot with 13.35 metres and the B high jump (1.75) and was 4th in the hammer.
"Last summer a number of these meetings were held, it provided the club with the opportunity of keeping supporters informed, not all of whom have access to the internet. I believe that we also learnt alot from those who attended, and that some of those ideas were put into practice during the season. Quite aside of that, it was an opportunity for Tony & Co to press-gang people into helping on one front or another!
Aveley grabbed two goals early in the second half. Ryan Stalley grabbed the opener and Sherwin Stanley doubled the lead with a header. Boss Carl Griffiths wasn't going down without a fight but a touch of handbags in the managers dugout saw him banished to the stand.
There had seemed little ill temperament from both sides in a scrappy opening on a difficult pitch devoid of grass in swathes and both struggled to settle into any consistent pattern of play in a game also interrupted by a gusty wind. However, after several sallies at both ends, fans were treated to a burst of real action when Piers Wixon thumped in a fierce drive that was blocked by the home defence. Moment later, set up by good work from Mike Ramkin and Neil Richmond, the same player shot straight at keeper Obey Murefu, later to be acclaimed Ware fans’ player of the season.
FOR MANY of the fans, just getting to the starting line back in August was a real achievement and indeed much of the reaction to the season has been calibrated with that in mind. Grays played out a relatively friendly draw against AFC Sudbury.
Thurrock showed great character trying to get the result but unfortunately the goals diddn’t come despite good efforts from Richards, Hockton and Murphy. Thurrock finish in the relegation zone and therefore it looks like they will be relegated to the Ryman Premier league next season.
YOU MUST have watched the London Marathon recently and thought "I could do that" Well every journey begins with a single step and so where better to begin the journey than at the beginners class at Thurrock Harriers.
It has been a good run in the Blue Square South but it is almost over as Thurrock do well to keep Ebbsfleet at bay but they really needed the three points.
THERE may have been a few hangovers at East Thurrock after winning the league on Saturday but it was Grays Athletic that had the headache as the Rocks thumped four past them in the first half to secure a win in their last home game in the Ryman Division One North.
East Thurrock United are promoted. The Rocks ran out 3-0 winners at Redbridge this afternoon securing promotion and the title of Ryman Div One North champions.
