GRAYS Athletic will start the new year with a trip to Basildon United and an encounter with one of Thurrock's much-travelled footballing sons.

Kris Newby, who numbers East Thurrock United, Aveley and Tilbury among his past clubs in a chequered career that has also taken in Romford, Witham Town, AFC Sudby and Great Wakering Rovers, has been appointed interim player-manager of the Bees, who are fighting a relegation battle in the lower reached of the Bet Victor Isthmian North.

The game will be a chance for Grays to force their way into the play-off zone, dependent on the results for fellow promotion contenders Histon and Heybridge Swifts.

But for Newby it's a chance to make his first mark as a manger following the decision by club vice-chairman to step down from the manager's role after eight matches in charge.

He says he has been helped immensely during that time by Newby, who is the fourth man in charge of the Bees this season following the previous departures of John Sussex and Glen Kendall, worked closely with Connor during his brief spell and now Connor says the time is right for him to step up the plate on his own until the club makes a permanent appointment.

"I've decided to step away and hand the reins over to Kris Newby until we find a successor to John Sussex," said Connor.

"Kris will be in charge on an interim basis.

"Two voices and two opinions can sometimes have an affect on the team, with selections and substitutions.

"I feel, with Kris playing at this level and being in and around that environment, it's the best thing for me to step aside and go back into my usual role of building Basildon off the field."

Newby's football career has been a turbulent one of highs and lows. An undoubted football talent who has probably never fulfilled his potential, he was top scorer with 22 goals when helping East Thurrock United to the Division One North title in 2011, but his off-field activities have been a hindrance to him being able to concentrate on the game.

Newby, from Stanford-le-Hope, made national newspaper and TV headlines in 2013 when his then fiancée Lacey McLean when public on his gambling addition.

Newby later made a public apology to her as he admitted he was seeking help for his 'spiralling' addiction to high stakes slot machines.

While Newby begins to cut his managerial teeth East Thurrock, with who he had three spells as a player, are also in action.

They will travel to Bowers & Pitsea for a Bet Victor Isthmian Premier League derby.