Relegated Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic are preparing to leave their current New Rec home at the end of this season.

Grays' owner Andy Swallow said the New Rec's owners had decided not to extend the club's lease.

It means Grays will have to ground-share next season, and may opt to drop into the Ryman Premier Division.

Swallow said: "[The owners] wouldn't extend the two years we thought they would. We're no longer the tenants."

Swallow has explored the possibility of playing Blue Square South football at Thurrock next season but says it may prove too costly.

"We weren't too keen on the prices they (Thurrock) quoted us, but we've had negotiation with East Thurrock, we can ground-share there for a couple of years in the Ryman Premier," he said.

"I'm going to go and speak with our local one Tilbury."

Swallow also says he doubted manager Julian Dicks and assistant Kenny Brown would stay at the club.

"Would they do the Ryman Premier? I would doubt it," he said.

"I would never sack them, and if they don't think it's where they want to be I understand."

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