GRAYS Athletic are in talks with Thurrock Council about the future of the club’s move back to the town.

During the last few months, the club - who are currently ground sharing with Aveley - has had discussions and meetings with senior officers at Thurrock Council on the plans to relocate back to Grays.

A club statement said: “We have found the Council very proactive and helpful in understanding our plans to have a community sports facility to cater for our senior players, youth players - boys and girls - our veterans’ team and our walking football teams - covering players from age five to seventy-five with a range of abilities.

“We also intend to develop a football academy to include post sixteen-year-old academic and sports studies.

“The Council is developing its new local plan and we have made our intentions known and hope land will be allocated for a community stadium, ancillary pitches, buildings and car parking.”

Councillor Rob Gledhill, Leader of the Council, said: ‘We are working with Grays Athletic to ensure they are able to thrive as Thurrock expands and I want to see all sport succeed here in the borough as far as possible’.

There will be opportunities for our supporters to put forward their views on the Council’s new local plan. We hope they will be able to take part in these consultations.”