GRAYS Athletic’s life president has called on the local community to throw their support behind the club’s new shareholder scheme after more than a hundred people turned out to hear more about the initiative.

Supporters attended the launch of its shareholder event in Chadwell St Mary last Wednesday, as the interim board look to create Grays Athletic Community Football Club after previous owner Andy Swallow stepped down from the day-to-day running of the club.

Glyn Jarvis, director at the club since 1982 and life president since 2001, spoke at the meeting, along with James Mathie from Supporters Direct, who are helping and advising the club with the transition.

And Jarvis, 68, who is also the development director, said he was “very confident” that the club will be is a strong place moving forward in the weeks to come.

“I am very confident at the moment,” he said. “We want supporters to be part of this. We want a minimum target of £30,000 which Supporters Direct suggested and once we have got that we can go to the next stage and prove to the FA and the Ryman League that we have the money and they will sign off on it. It is not a magical figure but it is a target.

“The deadline is July 31 but at this moment we are just encouraging people to buy shares. Once the share issues ends we will still be accept membership requests. The more we raise the better the chances are in terms of forward planning.

“Although we would like to have reached the target by the start of the season it is not critical. We are transferring the FA and League’s membership of Grays Athletic FC 1982 Limited over to Grays Athletic Community Football Club and the sooner the better.

Grays are offering four levels of involvement in the club, with £30 annual membership annual for the first year (including a £1 share) which can be renewed year-on-year for an agreed price. For those with deeper pockets, members can buy five-year membership (for £500), 10-year membership (for £1000) or lifetime membership (for £3000).

There will be no repayment during the first three years, although shareholders may apply for repayment at the discretion of the board and if the club can afford to repay them.

Jarvis is part of the interim board with chairman Steve Skinner, finance director Tony Packer, club secretary Janet Packer and company secretary and programme editor Glyn Balmer although he says supporters will have the chance to join the board as well as plans for the longer-term are also put in motion.

“We want to raise £30,000 for the first season but are targeting £60,000 as this gives us the confidence to plan for the next two or three years.

“There will be opportunities to join the board and members and supporters will have the chance to vote on proposals among other things.”

And Jarvis added he was excited at the team’s prospects on the pitch for next season as well.

“I am a football fan but we are excited about Jamie Stuart coming back and we want to give him the best support we can,” he said. “That is key and the money we raise will help do that. His enthusiasm is incredible and he understands what we are trying to achieve and the youth is important to him. The club is moving forward.”

For more information on the scheme or to download an application form visit www.graysathletic.co.uk.