Grays Athletic FC today launched the latest stage of its campaign to secure permanent access to the former Thurrock FC ground at Ship Lane in West Thurrock, with the release of a report highlighting the many community benefits of the proposal.

A copy of the report is attached for your information.

The club are partners in a planning application with Group 1 Automotive Ltd which is seeking to purchase the site adjoining the Thurrock Hotel close to the Dartford Tunnel Roundabout. As part of the deal, Group 1 would gift the redundant football ground to Grays Athletic, as their permanent home. Grays have been homeless since being forced to leave the Recreation Ground in 2010.

Grays Athletic are keen to emphasise the wide-ranging community benefits that would flow from their taking ownership of Ship Lane. As well as running more than 20 teams for male and female players of all ages, the club is committed to ensuring that 50% of the usage of the ground would be open to all sections of the local community. This will help address issues around lack of access to quality, affordable facilities in Thurrock. Ship Lane would also become the base for a host of new projects run by the club around health, fitness and opportunities for disabled people.

For all this to happen and the local community to benefit, Grays Athletic are relying on Thurrock Council planning committee approving the application, with a decision currently expected at a meeting on 13th July.