On Tuesday evening, we welcome Sittingbourne FC for our final pre-season fixture before the talking stops and the real action begins next weekend.

Sittingbourne are managed by former Blue, Ryan Maxwell and play in the Isthmian Div 1 South East division (the same level as us).

Last season promised so much for the Brickies, finishing in an excellent third place, only to lose out in the play-off semi-final to Three Bridges. There’s no doubt that they will be challenging for honours again this year and so are likely to provide a stern test for the Blues.

Results for Sittingbourne pre-season have been something of a mixed bag - a fine win against Maidstone Utd and a draw against our old rivals Bowers & Pitsea, have been tempered by defeats to Welling and Folkestone. But clearly, with fixtures of this calibre, the team are challenging themselves to find their best level.

Sittingbourne are another club that have had ground issues over recent years, having redeveloped sites and moved locations several times. From the Blues perspective, we can only sympathise with their fans anguish.

Our two sides have never met in a competitive fixture - our only meeting being a friendly almost seven years to the day, which Sittingbourne won 3-2.

Grays Athletic also send our sincere condolences to Sittingbourne FC on the recent passing of their director, Peter Pitts, after a short illness. Peter was a mainstay of their club, looking after their web site, programme and matchday tannoy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Blues themselves have had an encouraging pre-season, with each game providing a different challenge for Darren and his squad to learn from. Sittingbourne will be the final opportunity to put into practice what has been learned on the training pitch - before things get serious with the start of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The match will take place at Tilbury FC, Chadfields, Tilbury RM18 8NL. KIick-off is at 7.45pm

Come on You Blues !