JAMIE STUART feels like he has returned “home” after Grays Athletic's former captain agreed to become the club's new manager.
Stuart, 39, is already loved at the club having spent five hugely successful seasons with them as a player from 2004 to 2009.
After starting his career at Charlton Athletic and turning out for Millwall, Bury and Southend, he dropped into Non-League and signed for Grays in November 2004.
Under the management of Mark Stimson, Stuart helped Grays win the Conference South title in 2004-05 as well as the FA Trophy after beating Hucknall Town in the final.
Further success was to follow as Grays retained the Trophy, beating Woking in the 2006 final and they also finished third in the Conference before losing to Halifax in the play-offs.
Stuart would later be named captain of the Essex side but left in June 2009 to join Rushden & Diamonds after making 229 Grays appearances.
He is now back at the club where he is considered a legend and replaces Mark Bentley who stepped down at the end of the Ryman Premier season.
Stuart, who had recently served as assistant manager at Margate, said: “I'm very excited to be given the opportunity to manage Grays Athletic FC. I did have various options and a number of other clubs were interested, but my mind was made up as soon as this position became available.
“I had the best time of my career playing for Grays and met and made some good friends at the club. Grays Athletic feels like home to me and I'm very excited and keen to get back and start the ball rolling in July.
“I have already started making preparations for next season. I'm currently talking to players and arranging pre-season friendlies. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve as a player and always give my everything. I believe at 39 with my experience and contacts in football I can be a successful manager for Grays.
“I've got some very good people around me who want to help me bring back the happy memories we had at Grays with promotions and FA Trophy wins to name a few.
“I know it's going to be a tough task but there is no one more ambitious and hungry than me. I cannot wait to come home to the club I love.”
