Player profiles

Grays Athletic Season 2007-8

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Team management

Mike Woodward (Manager)

Chairman and owner of Grays Athletic Football Club, took the reigns of the 1st Team Management following the departure of Justin Edinburgh in February 2008

Gary "Sumo" Phillips (Assistant Manager)

DOB 20/09/1961 Gary was twice manager of Aylesbury United. Had a distinguished career in the football league with West Bromwich Albion, Brentford, Reading, Hereford United and Barnet, winning Player of the Year twice with and also serving as Manager and Coach of the London side.

A Conference championship winner with the Bees in 1991 he moved into non-league, joining Aylesbury in 1995

He has been Manager at both Barnet , Aylesbury Utd and Stevenage Borough, as well as coaching at Queens Park Rangers, Colchester United, Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town, Southend and Barnet.

Nicknames: The Master, Sumo

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Richard Harper M.C.S.P., S.R.P., H.P.C. Registered, M.S.S.T., F.A.T.M.I., Level3 B.C.P, I.T.E.C. S.I, A.P.M, R.E.P. (Physio)

Richard Harper is a very experienced State Registered Physiotherapist who joined Grays Athletic from AFC Hornchurch

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Tim O'Shea (Coach)

DOB --/--/--, Born in Pimlico, Tim was a Tottenham youth player who went on to make three first-team appearances. He also won two Ireland Under-21 caps and was part of the 1985 Under 18 squad which included the likes of Niall Quinn, Terry Phelan, Pat Dolan, Martin Russell who beat England 1-0, the first time since 1949.

Tim has also played for played for Leyton Orient and Gillingham before spending seven seasons in Hong Kong. Tim was club captain at Farnborough Town, but was on loan to Welling at the time of their glamour tie with Arsenal in the FA Cup in 2003, Tim has also been involved with the Millwall FC Academy.

Neil Smith (Coach)

DOB 30/09/1971, born in Lambeth, Neil is an experienced player and coach, he has made over 400 league and cup appearances for various clubs including Totenham, Gillingham, Fulham, Reading, Stevenage and Woking and was appointed as Manager of Welling United in May following the departure of Adrian Pennock to Stoke City.

Neil has joined Grays Athletic as part of the coaching staff alongside Tim O'Shea

Goalkeepers

Jake Whincup

D.O.B. 25/08/1985, Jake was part of the Norwich City youth setup, he has appeared for the following teams, Long Melford, Mildenhall Town, Chelmsford City, Margate, Crawley, AFC Hornchurch, Great Wakering Rovers and more recently Arlesey Town.

Signed with Grays Athletic on a non-contract basis

Ross Flitney (No 1)

DOB 01/06/1984, 6ft 2in Goalkeeper, born in Hitchin, Ross was at the Arsenal Academy for 4 years from the age of 12 -16, he then moved to Fulham where he was understudy to Dutch International and Manchester United keeper, Edwin van der Sar, Ross was with The Cottagers for 2 years (2003/05) before joining Brighton & Hove Albion on loan for a year, he then spent 4 months with Doncaster before joining Barnet FC in August 2005.

Ross signed a 2 year contract with Grays Athletic on 1st June 2007

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Defenders

Adam Gross (No 3)

DOB 16/02/1986, 5ft 10in Left Back, born in Greenwich, Adam is an ex Welsh Youth International who was released by Charlton after being a reserve team regular, he then signed for Barnet FC where he made 29 appearences in the 2006/07 season scoring 1 goal.

Adam is a regular in Paul Fairclough's England National XI squad

Signed for Grays Athletic on a 2 year contract on 24/05/2007

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Andy Sambrook (No 2)

DOB 13/07/79, Defender, born in Chatham, Andy started out at Gillingham as a trainee he was there from 1996-2001 during this time Andy won a scholarship to the USA where he spent 4 years, on his visits back to the UK he would play for The Gills.

Andy then moved to Rushden & Diamonds with whom he made 50 appearances. he left Rushden in 2005 when he signed for Grays Athletic.

Andy has played for England U18 and scored a penalty in their victory over Switzerland in the Centenary Shield

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Jamie Nelson (No 27)

DOB 09/04/1990 born in Orsett, 5ft 8in Right Back, Jamie is a product of the Grays Athletic Youth Football set up, he signed a one year full time professional contract with Grays Athletic on 24th May 2007

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Jamie Stuart (No 4)

DOB 15/10/76, Experienced defender , born in Southwark, London) who signed for Grays Athletic in November 2004 from Hornchurch FC. jamie is an ex-England Non-League International who has also played for Charlton, Millwall, Bury and Southend United where he spent 8 years and made over 300 league appearances. Voted Supporters Player of the Year for the 2004/05 season.

Signed a new one year contact for the 08/09 season

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Jon Ashton (No 14)

DOB 04/10/1982, 6ft 2in Central Defender, born in Nuneaton, Jon is a versatile player who can play comfortably in both Defensive and Midfield positions, he satrted his career as a trainee with Leicester City before moving to Notts County, from there he joined Oxford United playing over 70 games for the U's he then joined Rushden & Diamonds in June 2006.

Jon signed a 2 year deal with Grays Athletic on 30th May 2007

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Mark Haines (No 16)

DOB 28/09/89, 6ft 3in Centre-Half, Mark has joined Grays Athletic from Nothampton Town on work experience

Simon Downer (No 5)

DOB 19/10/81, Born Romford, Central Defender, Simon has had spells at Leyton Orient, Aldershot Town, Hornchurch and more recently at Weymouth

The 6ft 1in central defender has joined Grays Athletic from Weymouth.

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Midfielders

Ernie Cooksey (No 21)

DOB 11/06/1980, 5ft 9in, Midfielder, born in Bishops Stortford, Ernie is a versatile Midfield player who can play across the pitch but prefers the left hand side, he has a very high work rate and has a knack of scoring goals from midfield.
Ernie started out at Crawley Town from 2002-03 before spending a year at Oldham Athletic from there he spent the next 3 years at Rochdale before joining Boston United in January 2007.

Signed for Grays Athletic on a 2 year contract 12 July 2007

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Ishmael Welsh

D.O.B. 04/09/1987, born in Deptford, Ishmael began his career at West Ham's Academy Of Football and turned professional in July 2005, he failed to break into the first team and was released in May 2006, Yeovil Town signed Ishmael in July 2006 on a 2 year contract and scored on his league debut on August 12, 2006 in Yeovil's 2-1 win at home to Carlisle United.

He joined Weymouth on loan in March 2007 before returning back to Yeovil before the end of the season, August 2007 saw Ishmael join Torquay United on loan before finally joining up with Forest Green Rovers for the remainder of the 07/08 season

Signed one year contract with Grays Athletic 07/05/08

Jamie Day

DOB-13/09/1979, Midfielder, Born in Sidcup, Jamie is a graduate from the England School of Excellence at Lilleshall, he has represented England at Under16, Under17 & Under18 levels, he was part of the Arsenal Youth squad before moving to AFC Bournemouth, he has been with Dover & Crawley before he joined Welling United.

Jamie signed a 2 year deal with Grays Athletic on 14th May 2007

Currently on loan to Havant & Waterlooville until the end of the 07/08 season

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Luke Woodward (No 22)

DOB 04/06/1990, born in Forest Gate, 5ft 10in Midfielder, Luke is a product of the Grays Athletic Youth Football set up, he signed a one year full time professional contract with Grays Athletic on 24th May 2007

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Michael Standing (No 24)

D.O.B. 20/03/1981, born in Shoreham, Central Midfielder, Michael started out at Brighton before joining Aston Villa, he later joined Bradford City and then Wallsall before having short spells at both Chesterfield and Bournemouth before joining Oxford United in the summer of 2007.

Joined Grays Athletic on 21st November 2007 until the end of the 2007/08 season

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Neil McCafferty (No 33)

D.O.B. 19/07/1985, Born in Derry, Neil began his career at Charlton Athletic in 2000/01. He can play either central midfield or on the right hand-side.

In 2001 Neil was called into Charlton's first team squad to face Manchester United at Old Trafford at just 16 years of age, he was a regular in both Charlton's Under-19 and Reserve teams and was captain of the Reserve side in 2004/05, whilst at Charlton, Neil also had loan spells at both Cambridge United and Rushden & Diamonds.

At international level Neil has been a regular at youth levels from Under-16 to Under-19 with the Republic of Ireland. His appearances for Ireland include the 2003 Oporto Youth Tournament held in Portugal (Republic of Ireland Under-19s).

Neil signed for his hometown club, Derry City, in July 2006

Signed with Grays Athletic (01/01/08) until the end of the season with a view to extending

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Stuart Elliott

D.O.B. 27/08/1977, born in London, Central Midfielder who can also play in Defence, Stuart started his career as a trainee with Newcastle United, between February 1997 and May 2000 he spent time on loan with teh following clubs, Hull City, Swindon, Gillingham, Hartlepool, Wrexham, Bournemouth, Stockport & Darlington before signing for Plymouth Stuart then moved to Carlisle, Durham, Scarborough, Exeter, Halifax Town, Harrogate Town, Northwich and then York City.

Signed a one year contract with Grays Athletic 07/05/08

Strikers

Aaron O'Connor (No 8)

DOB 09/08/1983, Striker, Aaron joined Grays Athletic from Unibond Div 1 outfit Gresley Rovers where he was the top goal scorer for the 2004/05 and 2005/06 season, he has netted 80 goals in 127 games.

Aaron had a spell at Ilkeston Town

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Ashley Barnes (No 25)

DOB 16/11/1989, born in Orsett, 5ft 11in Centre Forward, Ashley is a product of the Grays Athletic Youth Football set up, he signed a one year full time professional contract with Grays Athletic on 24th May 2007

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Ben Watson (No 18)

DOB 06/12/1985, Born in Brighton, 21 year old Ben joined Grays Athletic from Bognor Regis FC where he was the top goalscorer in 2005/06 with 23 to his credit, last season saw him net a further 13, Ben previously spent three years on a scholarship at Brighton and Hove Albion before joining The Rocks in 2004.

He has represented England in the National XI squad for the Four Nations Tournament in 2006

Signed a 2 year contract with Grays on 5th July 2007

Currently on loan until te end of the season to Exeter City FC

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Danny Kedwell (No 10)

DOB 03/08/1983 born in Kent, - Forward, Danny is a very capable striker who has had spells with Lordswood, Fisher Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Chatham, Maidstone United, Herne Bay and more recently at Welling United.

He was voted Conference South Player Of The Month on three occasions whilst at The Wings, he was thier top marksman with 23 goals, has also had trials with League club Brentford.

Signed for Grays Athletic on a 2 year deal Sunday 6th May 2007

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Jeff Goulding (No 7)

D.O.B. 13/05/1984, Striker, Current England C International who made his debut in Paul Fairclough's team against Wales Under 23's, recently been the subject of transfer talk amongst various League 1 clubs, was Fisher Athletics prized asset as a playmaker and second striker has netted 11 so far this season for Fisher, signed for Fisher in December 2006from Yeading has had spells at: Hayes, Egham Town, Crystal Palace, Reading, Clapton, Croydon, Molesey, Aldershot Town

Signed on loan with Grays Athletic until the end of the 07/08 season with an option to sign

Matt Bodkin

DOB 16/09/1986, Born in Kent, Forward, Matt started as a trainee with Nottingham Forest in 2003 he then moved to Gillingham in 2004 before switching to Welling United in 2005, Matt is a quick and pacey striker who has great ability on the ball.

Currently on loan until the end of 2007/8 season with Thurrock FC

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Scott Taylor (No 34)

D.O.B. 05/05/1976, born in Chertsey, Striker, Scott started his playing career at Staines Town in 1994 and has been much travelled since, he has played for Plymouth, Blackpool, Rochdale(loan), Stockport, Rotherham(loan), Bolton, Tranmere, Blackpool(loan), Millwall, Brentford(loan) and since 2005 with MK Dons.

Scott is an intelligent attacking player

Signed with Grays Athletic until the end of 2007/08 season

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Toran Senghore (No 23)

DOB 08/11/89, Striker, Toran is a product of the Grays Athletic Youth Football set up, he signed a one year full time professional contract with Grays Athletic.

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