From the official Grays Athletic website:
"The Club’s first match at their new home takes place this evening, as Ian Hendon’s young West Ham United side visit Rush Green.
Prior to the match, West Ham’s joint owner David Sullivan will officially open the ground which has been redeveloped over the past seven months. With the land being owned by West Ham, the Club have agreed a deal to play at the ground for the next two seasons, with Ian Hendon's reserve side playing their matches at the site.
The majority of the work around the pitch has been undertaken by Blues supporters who have been extremely generous in the amount of hours they have put in, getting the ground fit for use after several years of being left unoccupied. Inside, the changing room areas, boardroom and bars have all been given a new lease of life, and will be the envy of many visiting teams during the upcoming season.
With the friendly against Saffron Walden Town last weekend just one of many in the area postponed due to the weather, this evening’s match will be the first run out for the majority of the squad, following three weeks of pre-season training.
Hendon's squad were in international action last weekend in Moscow, as they took part in the VTB Lev Yashin Cup – an under 21 tournament. They played three matches at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, training ground of host club Dynamo Moscow, losing to both German side Freiburg and the hosts Dynamo, before winning their final match against Besiktas. Malaga and the Mexico under-19 national team made up the other sides involved.
TEAM NEWS
Recent signings Ryan Kirby, Leon Lalite and Jack West will be joined by goalkeeper Lamar Johnson, Luke Marshall and Ryan Maxwell who will continue to try and impress the management team.
The bulk of the squad who ended the season with Blues are expected to feature including Craig Pope, Junior Baker and Joao Carlos, all of whom were voted into the Isthmian Division One North Team of the Year. Fresh from scoring three goals in a training match on the pitch last Thursday, Joe Sweeney will be hoping the switch to Rush Green will re-ignite his form in front of goal.
French international Frederic Piquionne and ex-Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison could feature for the visitors, whilst George Moncur, Eoin Wearen and Blair Turgott should start, having played the bulk of the second half against Oxford United earlier in the week.
It has been reported that Bilel Mohsni will play, with the French defender currently on trial with the Premiership club. Mohsni who began his career in the French regional leagues has spent two years with Southend United, scoring 18 goals in 54 league appearances.
Confirmation regarding the West Ham team will follow later on Friday.
MATCH FACTS
There have been several friendlies over the years between the two clubs, with Blues’ last win coming in August 2008, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at The Recreation Ground courtesy of goals from Ishmael Welsh and Charlie Ide.
Last August, Ian Hendon’s side visited Rookery Hill and found themselves a goal down inside two minutes, as loanee Louis Dennis put Blues ahead with a fine finish. Two goals from Junior Stanislas, along with strikes from Frank Nouble, Eoin Wearen and Kieran Sadlier saw a comfortable 5-1 win for the visitors.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Lee Boylan made one Premier League appearance for the Hammers as a substitute in 1997. The ex-Canvey Island striker 3 goals in 21 league appearances for Blues in the 2006-07 season.
Ex-Blues manager Julian Dicks scored 50 goals in 262 league appearances for West Ham during his two spells, whilst he spent two seasons with Grays Athletic winning 28 of his 92 matches in charge.
Ex-West Ham youth and reserve team players Ishmael Welsh, Jack Jeffery, Anwar Uddin, Tom Harvey, Bertie Brayley and Andrea Zola have also featured for Blues in recent years, along with Danny Bunce, currently the longest serving player with the Blues.
If you know of any players who have played for both clubs, please let me know.
WHERE
Rush Green Stadium, Rush Green Road, Romford, Essex, RM7 0LU
Details on how to get to the ground can be found here
HOW MUCH?
Adults £10
Concessions £5
CLUB WEBSITE
http://www.whufc.com
