Historic day for Aveley, Dockers and Rocks go for glory in the FA and Grays will put finishing touch to pre-season

IT'S a historic day for Aveley FC who open their competitive season with their debut in Step 2 of non-League football for the first time in their 96 year history.

After clinching a remarkable back-to-back promotions against all odds, Aveley travel to Chippenham on Saturday in the Vanarama National South.

Manager Danny Scopes has strengthened his squad with new signings, defenders Tommy Davis from Southend United and Guyana internationa Jalen Jones from Cray Wanderers while winger Nana Kyei from Concord Rangers adds to the midfield options.

Attacking midfielder Jon Benton has also returned on a permanent deal after leaving Southend United. He played a prominent role in the Isthmian North championship-winning side two seasons ago.

The strike-force will also benefit from the presence of Matt Rush from Braintree Town and Charlee Hughes from Hemel Hempstead as well as Alex Hernandez from Concord Rangers - reunited with Scopes after being part of his Rangers team that played in the 2020 FA Trophy final.

The squad is also boosted by forward and former Football League and Scottish Premier League player Lionel Ainsworth who has joined Aveley as player/asisstant manager from AFC Sudbury.

Players leaving Millers in the close season included Jamie Dicks, Brendon Shabani and, perhaps most notably, defender Ryan Scott who felt unable to commit to the travelling requirements in the National League and has joined Hornchurch.

Today (Saturday, 5 August), Millers travel to Chippenham Town who have been operating in the National League south for a few seasons now, rarely flirting at the top but solid in mid-table.

East Thurrock United and Tilbury will be in action in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

Tilbury, who have had a disappointing start to their Essex Senior League campaign with just one point from two home defeats. They face a trip to FC Romania of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division who groundshare at Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane stadium.

East Thurrock are at home to Essex Senior league side Frenford at Rookery Hill.

Grays Athletic , who continue to reshape their squad ahead of a competitive start, play their final pre-season match against Enfield Town of the Isthmian Premier at the Queen Elizabeth II stadium.

Recently joining the Blues have been right back Ozzy Adeniji and left-sided player Jordan Peart.

30- years-old Adeniji, was most recently at Enfield FC where he was part of the Essex Senior League winning team. He had a previous spell with Grays back in 2018.

If he's in the team, Adeniji could make his debut against his former club when Grays meet Enfield in the Isthmian North opener next week.

Peart, 26, will provide manager Mark Stimson with versatility on the left hand side this season. He has previously played for Aveley, Barking, Bowers and Pitsea, Tilbury and East Thurrock.

Leaving the Blues recently have been Mitch Hahn after a spell of four-and-a-half years, defender Macauley Joynes who made 130 appearances and young midfielder midfielder Callum Watts who has accepted an offer to join National league South Chelmsford.