AVELEY FC
STADIUM
Aveley play at, and have been since 2017, Parkside. The ground was initially shared with Grays Athletic, who have only just moved elsewhere. The ground’s capacity sits at 3,500 which was a great improvement for the Millers on Mill Field, their previous ground.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Aveley 3-1 Chelmsford City (8th February 2020) – The last time the 2 sides met was in the FA Trophy. An attendance of 811 watched as the Millers scored twice late on to wrap up a great win. At the time, Aveley were in the Isthmian North, where they ended 2nd before the season was cut short due to COVID. The Clarets were, and still are, members of the National League South. It was Chris Whelpdale who scored the only goal for the Clarets on that day, as it was a third-round exit.
A FEW CLUB LINKS
Most recently, Harry Lodovica has departed from Chelmsford to join the Millers, for the 23/24 season. Harry played 40 times for City, scoring 6 goals. Previously, Rod Stringer has managed both sides. He was at Aveley between July 2007 – May 2010 and then managed the Clarets from May 2016 – January 2020. Unfortunately, Rod lost a combined 4 times in the playoffs, 3 with the Clarets. Most notably, the 2016/17 season where there was a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet in the playoff final.
THE MANAGER
Aveley’s gaffer, Danny Scopes was appointed in November 2021. He had previously managed Concord Rangers, guiding them to an FA Trophy final against Harrogate Town. Harrogate won the game 1–0, with a goal from Josh Falkingham. Danny has managed back-to-back promotions with the Millers, seeing them debut in the National League South this upcoming season. He had also previously played for Concord, as well as assisting the Cowley brothers who have since risen to manage Lincoln, Huddersfield and Portsmouth in the football league.
2022-23 SEASON
After coming up from the Isthmian North as Champions, Aveley went and did it again, achieving consecutive promotions. They ended up finishing 4th in the league, as Bishop’s Stortford were the league champions. In the playoffs, Canvey Island were beaten, after a scoreless draw saw them win 4-2 on penalties. Next up, they faced the favourites in the playoffs, Hornchurch. 1 goal was all it took, as Ryan Scott’s 31st minute strike sent them up. They also won the Velocity Cup final, as, in a one-sided affair, they beat Potters Bar Town 3-0.
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