After ten years service and over 400 appearances fans favourite and club legend Joao Carlos will be leaving the club with his final appearance in the Stan Veness Trophy tomorrow Saturday against our long standing friends and rivals Tilbury.

Joao was one of Hakan Hayrettin's first signing as Blues new manager in 2011. Very quickly Joao endeared himself to fans with his wholehearted performances showing sublime skills and an eye for goal. He was an integral part of the successful 2012/13 title winning squad that also finished runners up in that seasons Essex Senior Cup Final. His most productive goalscoring season came in 2013/4 when he registered 25 goals from 52 games.

But this doesn't tell the whole story. Loyalty to one club is a rare commodity in today's game where we see players moving from club to club in search of better financial offers. Joao over the years has received numerous lucrative offers to join other clubs but has rejected them all apart from a brief sojourn at Concord Rangers. He has remained loyal to Grays Athletic and the supporters who have great respect for him as a person.

Manager Jim Cooper commented, " Joao is an absolute legend in my eyes, not only on the field of play but off it also. We came back to pre season training and he worked as hard as anyone else which will come as no surprise to any of you.

We have a fantastic front line and I felt Joao would not play as many games as he would have liked nor he deserves, so out of respect to him we spoke about the upcoming season and the opportunities that may or not be there for him. Ultimately a man who has given so much loyalty and goals for the club needed to be treated with respect, the reason for our conversation. As a result he will play elsewhere but will still lead the side out tomorrow so that you the fans can give him the send off he deserves."

We thank Joao for his commitment to Grays Athletic over the last ten years and wish him every success in the future.

Joao you will always be welcome at our club and be remembered as a true Blues legend