Tag: Martin Gray

Martin Gray leaves Shildon AFC

Martin Gray leaves Shildon AFC

The Club announces the departure of its Sporting Director, Martin Gray from Shildon AFC. Martin has left to focus on his Academy and other business interests.

The Club stated “ We are grateful for the blueprint Martin has set down for the future direction of the Clubs training regime and Academy structure. He has a wealth of experience which we have been fortunate to draw upon whilst he’s been at the Club and he has helped set the foundations for the next chapter in Shildon AFC’s history. We always knew that Martin would be employed by Shildon AFC for a limited period of time and we wish him all the best in his future career”

Shildon’s new sporting director invites fans for Q and A

Martin Gray has wasted no time is taking steps towards building on Shildon AFC’s strong foundations to help them realise their full potential.

Over the past week Gray and chairman David Dent have met with Shildon’s long-standing board of directors, Shildon Development Centre CIC and key sponsorship partner Livin to discuss their future steps.

He has spoken with the players and coaching staff and made himself available at games, including recent away match at Barton Town which saw them take home a 2-0 victory, sending them through to the next round of the FA Vase. He was also at Tuesday’s eBac Northern League Division One home defeat to Dunston UTS.

As part of these next steps, Martin Gray has invited Shildon fans to an open Question and Answer session on Friday November 23 from 7pm to 9pm at Dean Street, Shildon.

Martin Gray said : “Shildon AFC are renowned for their strong community support and the introduction of a new face, in a new role, can cause some unrest and I understand some people may be sceptical and wonder what the agenda is.

“But I need the fans to understand that the agenda is simple. I want to make this football club successful and help achieve the chairman’s ambitions and we need to listen to them and work together. I want to provide reassurance and an open platform for fans to get to know me and see how I fit into their community and most importantly how we can work together to take the club forward”.

“I know they must have plenty of questions. What is a sporting director? What can I bring to the club? What are the long term aims?
“It is an opportunity to share our thoughts and aspirations with the fans but it is important that we listen too. I want to embrace what the club has and bring even more of the community on board. To do that I know we need to listen the fans.

Shildon AFC appoint Martin Gray as new Sporting Director

Ebac Northern League Division one side, Shildon AFC, have today appointed Martin Gray as sporting director. Gray a former Sunderland and Darlington player recently managed York City in the National League North, and enjoyed three promotions at Darlington, taking them to National League North from the Northern League.

David Dent, chairman Shildon AFC said “We are building on the clubs strong foundations to help us realise our ambitions on and off the pitch. Martin’s appointment is a defining moment in the club’s history. He is an exceptional coach and manager and brings strong leadership skills which will assist first team manager, Daniel Moore in realising his ambitions of managing Shildon AFC at a higher level.

Dent went on to say “we have spent a great deal of time planning the clubs next step and Martin is an essential part of this and he is as excited as I am at the challenge ahead. This is a five year project and I am confident we will see Shildon competing in the Northern Premier League, with a successful Academy behind us. This forms a crucial part of the work which is ongoing with our community club sponsor Livin allowing the club to be truly engaged with our local community”.

Martin Gray said ” I was approached a number of weeks ago by David to discuss the opportunity of taking Shildon forward and progressing up the leagues. His vision, the project ahead and the role of sporting director excites me, I had numerous management offers earlier in the season but they have not been right for me. This feels right”

“It’s about the bigger picture for the club and Shildon. As soon as I met with David and we discussed the plans for the wider community, it was easy to see how we could work in partnership to achieve this. I have had subsequent meetings with David and manager Daniel Moore and we are united in our thoughts moving forward”

Daniel Moore, Shildon AFC Manager said: “ Having met Martin and spoken with him and David at length about our plans for the future, I can say there are exciting times ahead for the club, the town, the players and myself.

Moore went on to say: “Martin has a wealth of experience in professional and non league football which I can tap into and that can only help the development of myself as a manager and the professional running of the club which I have worked hard on over the last two years”.

Shildon AFC have further plans which will see Harry Dunn appointed Head of Recruitment and further investment secured. Dunn who has worked with Martin in the past is starting work immediately for this and next season.