Grays Athletic player manager Mark Bentley is considering allowing the club’s kit man to lead the team talk ahead of Sunday’s FA Trophy third round qualifying clash against Corinthian Casuals.
The Gravelmen have a rich history in the competition, winning back-to-back finals in 2005 and 2006 at Villa Park and Upton Park respectively.
It means when FA Trophy weekends come around, Bentley is left in no doubt about the joy the competition has brought to a club that have experienced their fair share of off-field strife, with loyal kit man Sim ‘Rhino’ Madgewick at the front of the queue with reminders.
Grays Athletic v Corinthian Casuals
The FA Trophy
Third Round Qualifying
2pm, Sunday 29 November
Mill Field, Aveley FC
The visit of Casuals, a league beneath Grays, could represent a chance for some to rest on their laurels.
But, keen for his players not to take their eyes off the ball, Bentley is pondering the merits of remaining tight-lipped in the dressing room and allowing Madgewick to take centre stage.
“Rhino is the No1 Grays fan,” said Bentley. “If you want to know something about the club you go to him.
“I might let him talk to the players before this game, because he knows what the competition means for the club. I’m not sure how well it will be respected though!
“It’s the non-League equivalent of The FA Cup. We’re playing against a team a level below us, but it is important we show respect.”
England C team coach Micky Payne was present at Grays’ last FA Trophy encounter to do some early homework ahead of the 2016 internationals.
Mark Bentley during his playing days at Gillingham
More immediately though, defender Jay Leader and prolific striker Dumebi Dumaka have had trials with Leyton Orient and Ipswich Town respectively, while winger Nathan Ferguson has attracted interest from Fleetwood Town and Burton Albion.
Corinthian Casuals will have plenty to contend with and though Bentley concedes losing his top stars could damage Grays’ chances of promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division, the former Southend and Gillingham midfielder would not wish to spoil anyone’s chance of a professional career.
“It would be disappointing because we want to get into the play-offs. That’s a lot of talent to take out of our squad, so I am on the lookout for potential replacements.
“But I would never step in anyone’s way of getting a professional contract. I came through non-League into the pro game and I would love to see them do the same.”
Casuals have already bettered the club’s best-ever run in The FA Trophy, having beaten Grays’ league rivals Leiston to get this far. But boss James Bracken is not done yet.
“The powers that be tell me this is the furthest we have got in the competition, so we have made that bit of history but it would be nice to make some more,” he said.
“We know how strong they are going forward and that some of their boys are attracting a bit of attention, but we’ll have a plan to stop that.
“People might expect Grays to win, but I’m sure that was said about Leiston and we thoroughly deserved to beat them.
“If everyone plays to their potential then who knows?”
