Non-League Grays Athletic have that work is to start on an overgrown abandoned stadium.The Essex-based club have earmarked Ship Lane, which used to be the home of Thurrock FC, as their new home.The site is the former home of Thurrock@GraysAthleticFCHowever, the ground has remained unused since Thurrock’s chairman dissolved the club seven years ago.What is the current state of the ground?Fans were left stunned when images surfaced this week showing the current state of Ship Lane which looks like an overgrown wasteland.Weeds and multiple patches cover the playing surface meaning there will need to be a gargantuan effort to get the pitch back in playable condition.Work is also required on the stands with a paint job needed to give the place a fresh look and with the ground having been boarded up since 2018, a homely feel will need to be created. And it appears that Grays are willing to do just that in a ground they can call their own after years of ground-sharing.Greasy, of the Isthmian League North Division used to play their home fixtures at the New Recreation Ground.But they moved out in 2010 after it was sold to developers meaning they were forced to share grounds with East Thurrock United, West Ham’s reserves and Aveley FC.Grays are currently sharing with Tilbury FC but that looks set to change after obtaining ownership of Ship Lane last year.And after a council vote that went in the club’s favour, Grays can start work on the ground.Technical issues had initially led to changes to the design of the planned reconstruction that nervously allowed opponents the opportunity to break Grays’ plans.@GraysAthleticFCFans were left shocked by the current state of Ship lane[/caption]@GraysAthleticFCThe pitch is overgrown and weed filled[/caption]But Grays were successful in their bid on the condition that work on Ship Lane must commence within the next six months.The club plan to fix the abandoned site soon in the hope of reopening for the start of the 2026/27 season.A board statement confirmed: “As the variation to the plans were relatively insignificant, the planning officer recommended for the committee to approve the application and subsequently the planning committee voted in favour of the amended application.“This now means as a football club, we can now start planning how we make Ship Lane our home for decades to come.“We have made contact with Group One and our solicitors and hope the protracted process of transferring the stadium to us can be expedited and we can begin the renovation works as soon as we are able to secure the funding necessary to transform the derelict stadium into a vibrant home for us and our community.“Once we have more information to share with you, our loyal supporters, we will of course provide it to you at the earliest opportunity.”