Grays Athletic were a familiar opponent in both our Isthmian and Conference National days, as well as being an epic FA Trophy foe. It was against the Gravelmen that Boro’ needed to get past to make it through to the 2007 FA Trophy Final. After getting to the Conference in 2005, the Essex side had an eye on going straight through and out the other side; finishing third under Mark Stimson and falling short in the playoffs.
Stimmo came to us and then the Gravelmen started to struggle. The 2009-10 season ended in relegation; things getting worse when they quit the Conference completely. Instead of taking a spot in Conference South, they applied to join the Ryman League. Their bid was batted back at first, however; only allowed in after an FA appeal. In 2016, Grays Athletic became a community-owned club.
