Walthamstow v Grays Athletic preview copy

Walthamstow make the trip to Grays Athletic on Wednesday night in the Isthmian League North Division.

Stow ended their poor run of form with a 2-1 win on Saturday at home to Downham Town. Goals from Joe Ellul on his return to the club, and an own goal from Downham keeper Jasper Briggs secured a well-deserved win for the Stow.

Since the last meeting between the two clubs just under a month ago, Grays have gone on to win three, draw three and lose one. Their last game saw them draw 1-1 away at Stanway Rovers on Saturday. The hosts took the lead midway through the first half via Joe Turpin, but Grays managed to come away with a point with Callum Fitzer getting the equalising goal.

The last fixture between Stow and Grays was only a month ago when both teams took a point apiece in a 0-0 draw at Wadham Lodge. Neither side were unable to break the deadlock, with chances being evaporated when the wrong decisions were made. 

Walthamstow and Grays’ common people

Given the proximity of the two clubs, and the similar standards they’ve played at for most of their history, there are far too many people who have been associated with both clubs to go into any kind of depth.

Perhaps the most important person in recent history is Hakan Hayrettin. Heyrettin was the Stow manager for almost 200 games; his first senior management job back when the club was known as Leyton Pennant and then Waltham Forest. After a spell at Thurrock, Hayrettin took over at Grays where he lead them to the Isthmian Division One North title in 2013.

More recently, Jordan Peart signed for Stow from Grays in 2023, while Jared Small also turned out for the Essex side earlier in his career.

Grays’ squad includes Casey Nolan-Samuels, who spent time at Stow at the beginning of the 21/22 season, and both George Marsh and Sam Bantick, who signed for Stow but never played a game.