Grays Athletic F.C. Thread 8.0.2

[maddognorway]

Grays Athletic Football Club a.k.a The Gravelmen & The Blues

Brief History

Grays United was the predecessor of the modern Grays and was considered one of the oldest clubs in the world. Grays Athletic were established in 1890 and became founder members of the Athenian League, in which they briefly played before World War I (1912–1914, and again since 1958). In 1945 they were one of the nine founder members of the Corinthian League, which they won that first season.

After playing in the Isthmian League between 1983 and 2004, they were founder members of the new Conference South. They were divisional champions at the first attempt, and also won the FA Trophy. In the 2005-06 season, they took an early lead in the Conference National division, remaining unbeaten for a record equalling 15 games, but eventually finished in third place and were beaten in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs by Halifax Town. They did, however, successfully retain the FA Trophy with a 2-0 win over Woking

Club Information

Founded: 1890

Ground: New Recreation Ground. Grays Thurrock (Capacity: 4,500 (1,000 seated))

Chairman: Micky Woodward

Directors: Frank Harris

League: Blue Square Premier

Training Facilities: Adequate

Youth Facilities: Adequate

Finances: Okay

Estimated Value: 375k (Loan Debt: 80k)

Rivals: A.F.C. Hornchurch, Canvey Island, Thurrock, Dag & Red, Southend, Ebbsfleet

Current Squad

1 GK Ross Flitney

2 DF Rob Gier

3 DF Adam Gross

4 DF Jamie Stuart ©

5 DF Jon Ashton

6 DF Simon Downer

7 MF Stuart Elliott

8 MF Sam Sloma

9 FW Jamie Taylor

10 FW Danny Kedwel

11 MF Ishmael Welsh

12 GK Steve Arnold

14 MF Stefan Bailey

15 FW Jeff Goulding

16 DF Mark Haines

17 MF Barry Cogan

18 FW Matt Bodkin

19 FW Charlie Ide

20 MF Mark Molesley

–– MF Jamie Day

Well-known former players

Gary Hooper

Freddy Eastwood

Michael Knightly

Sam Sodje

Achievements

* FA Trophy winners: 2004/05, 2005/06

* Football Conference South champions: 2004/05

* Isthmian League Division One runners-up: 1987/88 & 1999/00

* Isthmian League Division Two South champions: 1984/85

* London League champions: 1921/22, 1926/27 & 1929/30

* Corinthian League champions: 1945/46; runners-up 1951/52, 1955/56 & 1956/57

* Isthmian League Cup winners: 1991/92

* Essex Senior Cup winners: 1914/15, 1920/21, 1922/23, 1944/45, 1956/57, 1987/88, 1993/94 & 1994/95

* Essex Senior Trophy winners: 1998/99

* Essex Thameside Trophy winners: 1947/48, 1987/88, 1988/89

The furthest the club has reached in the FA Cup was the 2nd Round Proper in 2005/06. They lost 2-0 away at Mansfield Town on December 2, 2005.

Managing The Gravelmens has been so far the funniest and most adorable time in my FM / CM career. Low transfer funds, low ground capacity and a team not that famous sure made it a difficulty bringing this team to the English top 5 Anyone out there currently managing The Gravelmens? If not, join in! PS!

Thanks to dexta200 for the thread layout and motivation to make this thread!

[maddognorway]

And my currently Grays career can be looked at here: http://gallery.me.com/espeneik#100008&bgcolor=black&view=grid

My first season at Grays Athletic I ended up in 3rd place, winning the Playoffs.

I got Charlton as my feeder club, and I got Izale McLeod, Grant Basey and Josh Wright at season loan.

Transfers in:

Magnus Svensson, Free

Emil Salomonsson, Free

Chris Clarke, Free

Gavin Shelton, Free

Danny Schofield, Free

Tommy Forecast, Loan

Robin Nylen, Free

Patric Snygg, Free

Onandi Lowe, Free (1.1 2008)

Nicolas Mazzola, 2k (28.1 2008)

Iosif Melcea, 1k (28.1 2008)

Joakim Moberg, Free (28.1 2008)

Screenshot: http://gallery.me.com/espeneik#100008/Bilde-2032&bgcolor=black

Anyone?

[maddognorway]

No one out there playing LLM and with Grays?

[Purefun]

Good opening thread and a nice logo. Good luck mate.