Gray has managed Darlington, Farnborough Town, Grays Athletic, Woking and Basingstoke

Basingstoke manager Frank Gray has praised the standard of non-league football as his side prepare to face Braintree on Saturday.

Gray's side currently lie tenth in Blue Square Bet South.

He told BBC Berkshire: "Non-league is the grassroots, it's football based on determination rather than skill."

"I'm sure if fans who haven't been to a non-league game before Saturday turn up, they will be pleasantly surprised and entertained."

Our players may lack natural ability, but they all work hard and have that quality in abundance Frank Gray

Gray, who won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest in 1980, added that non-league football holds a unique appeal compared to that in higher divisions.

"There is a gulf in class between non-league and the top leagues but what our players lack in class, they make up in effort," he said.

"Our players may lack natural ability, but they all work hard and have that quality in abundance."

Gray's Basingstoke face stern opposition against second-placed Braintree, but added that he is confident his side's home form can ensure victory.

"They've scored a few goals and are having an unbeaten season so it's definitely going to be a very tough game for us," Gray said.

"But we've won our last two home games ourselves so we'll just look to continue in that vein against Braintree this weekend."

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