"Friendly, low-key"

Seems a bit unfair to apply the same system of star ratings to both the Bernabeu and the Rec, but if the home of Real Madrid is five-star then on a sliding scale it would be dishonest to give the home of Grays Athletic anything more than a one. But there's nothing dishonest about the ground and its fans, though. Proper non-league, English-style.

Location

Just a couple of hundred yards from the centre of Grays. Where could be better than that?

View

Visited in pre-Conference days, before the Rec became the 'New' Rec. Back then seating was on one side, with standing room anywhere else. Fans could wander around to pick the best view on offer, but could expect nothing more than rudimentary non-league comforts. It was what it was, which was fair enough.

Facilities

Probably more than adequate by most non-league standards but, again, as this web site compares reviews with some of Europe's greatest grounds, the honest-yet-modest facilities of Grays can only get one star.

Food & Drink

Nice cup o' tea.

Police & Stewards

Always well-organised as a club. Police not needed.

Atmosphere

Rarely a carnival of football to get excited about. A pre-Conference midweek 0-0 at home to Bromley during the 1990s in front of fewer than two hundred people in the middle of winter had less atmosphere than the Moon... but on better days it could be lots of fun.

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