GRAYS Athletic will enterain New Salamis at Tilbury this afternoon in the Isthmian North.

New Salamis FC were formed in the early 1970s by fans of the Cypriot club Nea Salamis Famagusta, one of many clubs in London set up by ex-pats of other countries - with the team adopting the red and white striped kit of their "home" club.

For many years, they played with great success in the KOPA League - a structure set up for the various Cypriot community clubs in London.

However, the club's finest hour came in 2016 when they won the FA Sunday Cup. The game was played at Selhurst Park, with New Salamis beating Barnes AFC on penalties, after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Heartbreak the next season though, when the final was reached again, but this time, the penalty shoot-out was lost to Hardwick Social.

The club's climb up the pyramid began soon after, from county league to Spartan South Midlands League to their debut in the Isthmian League Div 1 North in 2022-23, finishing a highly credible ninth in their first season at this level.

To comply with ground requirements, New Salamis are ground-sharing with Haringey Borough FC at their north London, Coles Park ground (the only ground actually on White Hart Lane !)

As a result, last season was the first time our two clubs had met. The first game at Coles Park, was a madcap affair with a half-time scoreboard showing Grays leading 3-2, which was then also the final score. The return fixture was a much less inspiring 0-0 draw.

The clubs have already met this season in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, with New Salamis winning 3-1 at Coles Park after a 1-1 draw at Tilbury. Their cup exploits came to an end at Biggleswade Town in the next round.

More generally in the League this season, New Salamis have struggled, picking up just two draws, and most recently losing to Walthamstow. With the Grays team much changed since the Cup encounter a few weeks ago, Blues fans will be hoping for a better return this time out.