Grays Athletic 2008/09 Season
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Julian Dicks (Manager)
D.O.B. 08/08/1968, born in Bristol, Julian played left-back for Birmingham City, West Ham (twice), Liverpool and Canvey Island. He was known as a "hard man" (his nickname was "The Terminator") and tough tackler in possession of a cultured left foot and a fierce shot in regular demand as a penalty and free-kick taker. He scored 10 goals for West Ham in the 1995-96 season, which is the best return for a defender in the Premier League. He was voted West Ham's player of the year four times between 1990 and 1997.
He started his footballing career at Birmingham City, joining them as an apprentice in 1985, and had turned professional when West Ham bought him for £300,000 in 1988 and gave him the chance of First Division football that Birmingham's relegation in 1986 had denied him, and although they were relegated in his first season at Upton Park, he helped them win promotion two years later.
Liverpool manager Graeme Souness bought him in 1993 in a swap deal which involved David Burrows and Mike Marsh moving to West Ham. Dicks was not a success at Liverpool and he transferred back to West Ham after just one season, although Dicks has the honour of being the last Liverpool player to score in front of the standing Spion Kop in a 1-0 win against Ipswich Town near the end of the 1993-94 season.
Dicks played a major part in helping to keep West Ham in the Premier League in 1994-95 and again in 1996-97, including scoring twice in a pulsating London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at The Boleyn Ground that West Ham won 4-3. In 1995-96 he was the club's joint top Premier League scorer with 10 goals as they finished 10th - their highest final position since 1986.
Another knee injury resulted in him missing the entire 1997-98 season. He did return to action in the 1998-99 season and West Ham finished fifth to qualify for the UEFA Cup, but his injury problems failed to go away and he was restricted to just nine Premier League games. West Ham then terminated his contract and he retired from professional football after a 14-year career, 11 years of which had been spent at West Ham. In two spells at West Ham, he had played 315 competitive games and scored 64 goals, many of them penalties.
After retiring as a footballer, Dicks took up golf and soon turned professional, but was forced to give this career up due to his knee injury. He does, however, still play golf recreationally. In 2001 he made a brief return to football after signing for non-League Canvey Island, but played only four matches.
Dicks returned to football on 5 January 2009 when he was appointed manager of Eastern Counties League side Wivenhoe Town, but left the club shortly after the end of that season by mutual consent.
Kenny Brown (Assistant Manager)
D.O.B. 11/07/1967, born in Upminster, Kenny is an English former professional footballer. His father, also called Ken was also a professional footballer and managed Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle.
Kenny, a defender, began his career with Norwich under the management of his father before playing for Plymouth Argyle, West Ham United, Huddersfield Town (loan), Reading (loan), Southend United (loan), Crystal Palace (loan), Birmingham City, Millwall, Gillingham, Kingstonian, Tilbury and Barry Town. He spent some time in Spain with FC Torrevieja before retiring from playing football.
He was manager of CD Javea, a Spanish regional league side who play in the Valenciana Regional Preferente Group IV.
Danny Gosshawk Bsc(Hons) Sports Therapy, MSST (Physio)
After graduating from the University of Hertfordshire, Danny spent 1 year working as a sports therapist and athletic trainer for Kansas City Wizards. When returning to the UK, he worked privately at The Sports Injury Clinic in Cambridge and progressed on to being head sports therapist for Grays Athletics F.C in October 2009.
1. Preston Edwards
D.O.B. 05/09/1989, born in Edmonton, Goalkeeper, On 4 September 2007 Preston made his first professional appearance for Millwall when coming on as a sub against Swansea City in the Football League Trophy first round.
In January 2009 he joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Dover Athletic on loan after an injury to the club's first-choice goalkeeper, John Whitehouse. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw against local rivals Ramsgate . Whilst at Dover Athletic, he helped them secure the title and promotion to the Conference South . On the 22 June 2009, he rejected a new one year deal from Millwall, and was therefore out of contract.
He has been capped for England at Under-19 level.
Stuart Robinson
D.O.B. 10/03/1988. Previous clubs: Lewes, Northwich Vics, Whitehawk
Frederick (Fred) Murray
D.O.B. 22/05/1982, born in Colnmel (County Tipperary), Left Back / Centre Half, Started with Cambridge United before moving to Northampton Town, joined Stafford Rangers in 2007 then signed with Stevenage Borough before joininf Exeter City
Currently on loan to Luton Town until January 2010
6. Cameron Mawer
DOB 21/02/86 - Defender, born in Stevenage, Cam was a graduate of Watford's Academy scheme, he has also represented England at U18 & U20 levels this is Cam's second spell with The Blues having signed for Grays Athletic in the summer of 2005 he then left Grays in 2008 to join Weymouth
5. Gavin Hoyte
D.O.B. 24/06/1986, Central Defender, Gavin started out at Wootton before moving to Bedford Town in 2005, Joined Cambridge United in 2007 then moved to join Weymouth towards the tail end of last season
3. George Beavan
D.O.B. 13/02/1990, George started out as a member of the Luton Town Youth team and has progressed through the reserves to the first team. left Grays to join Luton Town at the end of the 2008/09 season
Signed on loan with Grays Athletic.
2. Ronnie Bull
DOB - 27/12/80, Left Back, Born in Hackney, London. Ronnie started his career with Millwall, making fifty appearances by the end of the 2003-04 season. By this point, he had completed loan spells with Yeovil Town and Brentford, and subsequently left Millwall to join Grimsby Town. Ronnie stayed for a season, before moving to New Zealand to play for the Knights. On his return to England, he signed with Rushden and Diamonds.
Ronnie has scored twice in his professional career - both with Grimsby - and made 130 appearances.
Was recently with Ebbsfleet United, Fisher Athletic and then Exeter City
19. Craig Braham-Barrett
D.O.B. 02/01/1988, Left Back, Craig is a pacey Left Back who was recently released by Peterborough United, he was previously with Kettering Town, Welling United, Charlton FC, Sheffield Wednesday, Potters Bar, East Thurrock.
18. Billy Crowther
D.O.B. 30/10/1988, Defender, Billy started as a youth player with Leyton Orient before joining Dagenham & Redbridge, AFC Hornchurch and then Brentwood Town FC.
Whilst normally found in Defence Billy is also comfortable playing as a Forward
17. Kenny Davis
D.O.B. 17/04/1988 Kenny was previously a member of the Chelsea Youth team, he was with Redbridge FC from 2004/2005 before joining Ryman Premier side, Harlow Town FC, in the Summer of 2005, Kenny was voted as their Player of the Year 2007/08.
Kenny can play both Central and Right Defensive position.
25. Paolo Vernazza
D.O.B. 01/11/1979, born in Islington, Midfielder, Paolo started his career at Arsenal but struggled to break into the first team. He made his first-team debut in a League Cup match against Birmingham City on 14 October 1997 and his performances in Arsenal's reserves resulted in him gaining a place in the England squad for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.
He had loan spells at Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, before leaving Arsenal for Watford in December 2000. He played 11 times for Arsenal, scoring one goal, in a 2-1 win over Coventry City on 16 September 2000.
Paolo spent three-and-a-half years at Watford, making 96 league appearances, before moving to Rotherham United in the summer of 2004 for a reported £600,000.
Following a successful trial, Paolo signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on 14 December 2006. He was part of the squad that helped Dagenham gain promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history, winning the Conference National in the 2006-07 season.
He joined Weymouth on 9 July 2007.
Vernazza appeared as a substitute for Crawley Town in a pre-season game against former club Arsenal on 26 July 2008. However, on 6 August 2008 he signed for another Conference club, Woking, following a successful trial.
23. Glenn Poole
DOB 03/02/81 - Midfielder, born in Essex, Glenn was previously with Yeovil Town before joining Ford United / Redbridge, signed from Thurrock FC on 24 July 2005.joined Rochdale on loan from Grays Athletic in 2007 before joining Brenford FC
20. Daryl Robson
D.O.B. 18/02/1989, born in Middlesbrough, Midfielder, Daryl signed with Galway United F.C. in July 2007. He had previously played for Middlesbrough with whom he won the FA Youth Cup.
Daryl was the captain of Middlesbrough's youth team.
In July 2008 he left Galway to sign for Bray Wanderers.
16. Tom Harvey
D.O.B. 10/02/90. Tom joined the West Ham United Academy at 13 years old and progressed through to their Reserve Squad. Plays Centre Midfield
11. Richard Graham
D.O.B. 05/08/1981, born in Newry, Northern Ireland, Midfielder, Richard started at Queens Park Rangers before joining Barnet in 2004, he spent 3 seasons with The Bees before moving to Dagenham & Redbridge during which time he spent 4 months on loan to Kettering Town until the end of this season
Richard has represented Northern Ireland at U21 level
9. Jamie Slabber
DOB 31/12/1984 - Striker, who had spent 11 years at Tottenham Hotspur - from junior to senior team. Left in the summer of 2005 after a loan spell with Aldershot Town. Signed for Grays in July 2005, departed from The Rec in January 2007 to join Stevenage Borough until July 2007 when he joined Havant & Waterlooville.
8. Daniel Charge
D.O.B. 01/01/1990, Striker, Daniel progressed through the Dagenham & Redbridge reserve side and earned a 2 year contract at the club, he made his league debut after coming on as an 84th minute substitute in a 3-0 victory over Notts County
27. Petar Rnkovic
D.O.B 28/11/1978, born in Drammen, Petar has played everywhere on the pitch. he was a senior goalkeeper, and then he has played back, winger, midfielder and striker.
He debuted at senior level for Åssiden IF of 2 Division, He was then loaned to Icelandic KS where he scored eight goals in 13 matches.
He got a contract with Hønefoss BK at the end of the 2002 season, and was there until the 2004 season, and played a total of 50 (range 45 + five cup) matches for the first division team.
In 2005 he stepped down to play with Mjøndalen IF in the 3 Division due to family commitments where he scored 52 (46 + series six cup) goals in 25 (22 series + three cup) matches.
He was wanted by several clubs, but chose to join Strømsgodset IF, he made a total of 14 appearances and scored five goals for Strømsgodset in 2006 when they won the Adeccoligaen.
In 2007 he signed for Randaberg IL.
10. Fola Onibuje
D.O.B. 25/09/1984, born in Lagos, Nigeria, 6ft 6in Striker, Fola started as a trainee with Preston North End and has played for several clubs in his career, Huddersfield Town, Barnsley, Peterborough, Cambridge, Swindon, Brentford, Wycombe, Shrewsbury, St Albans, Macclesfield, Accrington, Weymouth and more recently Woking
Fola used to represent Great Britain on the athletics track at the 200m and 400m sprints
??. Harry Agombar
D.O.B. 12/07/92. My Early Career involved me playing for both Arsenal and Tottenham, I joined Grays reserves 9 months ago and from the reserves I progressed through to the first team, I can play anywhere in midfield.
??. Alsseny Cissoko
D.O.B. 28/02/87. My previous clubs have been Paris-Saint-Germain, Eureux AC, FC Rouen and FK Siadmost, I have recently arrived in England for the first time having been at Paris-Saint-Germain for 10 years, I am a mid fielder and look forward to playing for Grays Athletic.
??. Danny Bunce
D.O.B. 30/04/1986. Started my career at West Ham where I spent 10 years, I didn’t break into the first team so moved to Woking after 3 years i moved to Chelmsford before signing for Grays, im looking forward to a successful time here.
??. Charles Mallman
D.O.B. 24/05/1986. I am very happy to in England and working with Julian and Kenny, I am very grateful to be given the chance to play for Grays Athletic and hopefully I can help bring some points for the team this season. Previous clubs: Paris St Germain, Blackburn Rovers, E.C Itabuna, C.R Vasco Da Gama
??. Tom Prendergast
22 Years Old. Started at the Chelsea Academy until u15 level then moved to Waltham Abbey and Averley in the Ryman league, had a short spell at Dagenham and Redbridge and looking to cement myself in the first team at Grays
??. Egzon Asllani
D.O.B. 06/04/1991. Previously with Dagenham and Redbridge, I am here to work hard and hopefully break into the first team as soon as possible. Centre/right back
??. Alain Logombe
D.O.B. 21/03/1990. Alain used to play for Valenciennes football club for two seasons during 2007-2009. Prior to this he played for Torcy which is a great club for young people. Alain is a defender, and can also play midfield.