AFTER a weekend of turmoil, the immediate future of Grays Athletic took another twist this morning.

Going into Saturday's match at Woking, which Grays lost, chairman and tema manager Mike Woodward had warned fans that he was prepared to shut the club down if he continued to receive abuse from fans.

And after the match he anounced he was quitted the club and putting it up for sale, slating some of the club's supports as 'morons.'

Today the club made a statement clarifying the position, announcing that Mr woodward had distanced himself from team affairs.

It read: "Following Mike Woodward's announcement the following statement is a clarification of the current situation.

"Mike Woodward has resigned as team manager. Team affairs will be run by Tim O’Shea (manager), Gary Phillips (assistant manager), Neil Smith (head coach).

"He will remain as club chairman for the time being, although he wishes to sell his share in the club. Anyone interested in acquiring his share is free to contact him via the main club address or number.

"The owners of the Recreation Ground, the Billings family, have always stated that they were willing for the Recreation Ground to be sold for development, provided the club moved within the borough.

"They are also prepared for a large part of the sale proceeds to be used to help the Club to relocate to a new community based facility in Thurrock. Nothing has changed in this regard since the late Mr Ron Billings gave this commitment to the Club in the early 1990s.

"As to the future of the club, Mike Woodward remains committed to relocate the Club to a new purpose built ground with other community based facilities, as soon as possible. As has been stated on this site previously, Thurrock Council has instigated a feasibility study into the plan. Supporters will be kept advised of progress in due course.

"Finally, Mike wishes to involve the supporters in the running of the new ground. Once the new ground is built, he intends to cease any active involvement in the running of the club, but intends to ensure that the club is in safe hands.

"In the meantime, the Directors of the club hope that fans will continue to support the club in any way possible, starting with a bumper attendance at our next game at home to Wrexham this Saturday."