From yesterday's "TheGame" pullout in The Times.
GRAYSON ENDEAVOUR GOES UNREWARDED
Walter Gammie, Recreation Ground.
"Neil Grayson is a warrior. From the moment he rubbed his head after his first aerial clash with Anthony Charles to the moment the final whistle blew on a 4-3 defeat away to Aldershot Town, Grayson, bald pate glistening in the rain under the floodlights, gave his all in the cause of Stafford Rangers.
He bent his head to his knees in disappopintment at the finish before rallying the players to applaud the visiting team's supporters, them huddled them together to deliver up-lifting words before the warm-down. All part of life as a joint player-manager, even if only a caretaker of a week's standing.
What makes Grayson remarkable is that he is 43. Yet he believes that his playing life is far from over, so succeeding the departed Phil Robinson is not his main focus. Besides, he has a job in Derby with a double glazing firm that suits him. "It keeps me on my feet, which is especially important on Mondays," he said.
Grayson showed his enduring skill with a superb lob from 30 yards that made it 3-3 in the 67th minute, but Aldershot displayed the flair for goal that has made them Blue Square Premier leaders to grab the winner through a free kick by Scott Davis.
Stafford at least rediscovered their scoring touch, with David McNiven curling in a fine shot to make it 1-0 and teeing up Chris Flynn to equalise at 2-2, but Aldershot had the edge in firepower , with Louis Soares and John Grant heklping them to a 2-1 lead and Johnny Dixon heading them 3-2 in front shortly before half-time."
This man truly is a legend of the nether reaches of the football world. Had the honour of marking him in the charity match last season, thank god I was only on the pitch for half an hour, ran me ragged.