Midfielder Stuart Thurgood today signed for Blue Square Premier outfit Grays Athletic on a season long loan deal, the move will be Thurgood's third spell with the Essex outfit. Stuart joined the Gills from Grays in November 2007 but after 12 first team appearances was loaned back to the New Recreation Ground for the remainder of the season.

Despite impressing Mark Stimson with his efforts in pre-season, Thurgood failed to break up the midfield partnership of Andrew Crofts and Mark Bentley and instead will be part of Grays challenge for League promotion this season.