Grays Athletic

-What are your general expectations of your team and how do you feel about the season so far?We have gone through a transitional period recently so it's all change at the club right now.

There were mixed reviews at the start of the season. When Frank Gray came in we won a few games and it looked promising but when our form dipped, fans got a bit restless.

Micky Woodward took control and got a a draw and a loss from his two games but then decided he couldn't do it anymore and brought in Andy King. By all accounts Andy King did a reasonable job at Swindon on a tight budget so I'm pretty optimistic.

We've just lost both Aaron McLean and Michael Kightly, who were our two best players! But we have enough quality in our squad, it's just about making a team out of them.

Realistically I'm looking for a midtable finish this season, I don't think we'll get into the play offs although we're only six points off at the moment. We just need to build a settled squad and then I think we'll be able to challenge for promotion again next year.

The only problem is that fans are a bit spoilt. We've had that much success in recent years that it's become expected at the club.

-Which player is the current fans' favourite and who is the biggest donkey?

Glenn Poole is one of the favourites and Ashley Bayes, who's just a nutcase! Lee Boylan is a player the fans are looking forward to seeing more. He's been playing too deep so far this season but hopefully he can start coming into his own if Andy King uses him up front.

In terms of donkeys, personally I don't mind any of the players but the two who constantly find themselves getting stick from the fans are Adam Green and Jay Smith. I didn't say that though!

-What is your most memorable moment as a Grays fan?

It has to be last season's FA Trophy win at Upton Park because it was local to us and we took around 10,000 fans on the day. It was a defining moment to see the lads out there playing football like they did. It was just an incredible day!

The previous FA Trophy win at Villa Park was pretty special as well, just a great day out.

-Who is your club's biggest cult hero?

Ashley Bayes. He winds the opposition and the fans up and he's just such a great bloke. He's 34 now but he still plays like a 20-year-old, especially since the new goalkeeping coach, Colin Barnes, came in.

Of players who hev left the club, Leroy Griffiths was hugely popular here and more recently Aaron McLean was well-liked.

-Any famous fans?

Squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale is a Grays fan and said in a recent interview that he still keeps track of what's going on at the club. But he doesn't come down here that much because he has moved away from the area now.

Otherwise, Teddy Sheringham's brother is a Grays supporter and actually used to play for the club. Rumour has it that he was actually a better player until injury ruined his career.

TV presenter Russell Brand was also born and bred in Grays but I don't know if he supports the club.

-What can Alty fans expect at the Recreation Ground?

The ground has changed quite a bit in recent years - we've got a new boardroom, a new shop and a new bar now and we promise the floodlights will work this time!

Alty fans will be in the Bradbourne Road end because all games are segregated nowadays so they might get wet! But if it makes them fell any better, we could get wet as well because our new stand isn't under cover either.

The only problem with the ground is that we don't have any room for expansion because of the tower blocks surrounding it. I've thought about getting a flat overlooking the pitch but they're far too expensive!

-What songs can they expect to hear from the home fans?

I'm sure they will be treated to a few verses of "you dirty northern whatevers." Since there has been a few changes in the playing squad there aren't songs for all of them yet. They probably will hear "Glenny Poole. He gets the ball and scores a goal" although he hasn't done so far this season! I'm sure there will also be a rendition of "mental Ashley".

-Where can Alty fans drink and get something to eat before the game?

It depends how many of them make the journey and what the police and the stewards decide on the day but hopefully they'll be allowed into the bar because we all get on well with the Alty fans. There's a good link between the two clubs now and there's always good banter at the games between us so it would be good to speak to a few of them before the game.

If not, the away supporters' pub is the Bricklayer's Arms across the road, which is a decent place for a pre-match drink.