Leroy Griffiths Returns Home

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Ex-QPR Leroy Griffiths has rejoined Grays Athletics on loan for the rest of the season. One of Ian Holloway's first signings after our relegation to "Third" Division, Griffith's biggest claim to fame at QPR was his pre-season goal against Chelsea in a friendly - (QPR 3 Chelsea 1: Match Report)

Grays Athletics Official Site - Player News February 16, 2007,
Grays Athletic have signed, fans favourite, Leroy "The Finger" Griffiths on loan until the end of the season, Leroy joins us from Justin Edinburgh's old side Fisher Athletic. Grays


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Thurrock Gazette - Leroy returns to Grays

The finger is back: Nicknamed The Finger' by Grays fans, Griffiths is pictured after scoring for Aldershot last season. Picture Ian Christie - www.christypix.co.uk
GRAYS have turned to one of their favourite former sons as they seeking to battle against Conference relegation.

Manager Justin Edinburgh went back to his former club Fisher Athletic to sign Leroy on loan to the end of the season and he could well make his reappearance at the New Rec on Saturday against the manager who signed him first time around.

Mark Stimson, who brings Stevenage Boro to Grays on Saturday, signed Griffifths from Farnborough and he made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Hitchin Town in a 2-0 victory.

Griffiths started his career at Sutton United and had spells with Banstead and Corinthian Casuals before joining Hampton in February 2000.

After a successful spell at Hampton during which he scored 20 goals he was signed by QPR boss Ian Holloway for £40,000.

Griffiths became an instant hit with Rangers fans by scoring a superb goal against neighbours Chelsea in a friendly shortly after joining the club.

He scored three times in 24 starts for Rangers during the 2001/02 season but this was not seen as a high enough return at a time when clubs were cutting back on their playing squads in the wake of the ITV Digital fiasco.

In July 2002 a return to non-league football was mooted with speculation linking Leroy with Farnborough. This materialised in August although as a three month loan deal. Leroy returned to Loftus Road at the beginning of November only to return to the Conference in November 2002 with a loan deal at Margate.

QPR released Leroy from his contract at the beginning of July 2003 after 44 appearances in total and immediately Farnborough were linked with a move and invited him to join them for training.

However he did not join Tommy Taylor's revolution at 'Boro immediately and was expected to sign for Staines Town whose manager Steve Cordery he had played under whilst at Hampton & Richmond.

However there was another twist and Leroy eventually signed for Boro again in August.

However he moved the following month to join Grays on a two year contract.

Although he scored 26 goals for Grays in 2004/5 as they stormed to the Conference South title and FA Trophy final, he was left out of the trophy side following disagreements with teammate Vill Powell and with the club over a new contract.

In the summer of 2005, Leroy joined Fisher Athletic. In his first season at Fisher after leaving Grays he made 29 appearances scoring 16 goals.

During his time at Fisher Griffiths was loaned out to Aldershot but this season he has hit 10 goals in 20 appearances.

Ironically his last match in Fisher colours was in the borough, though he won't look back on a 5-1 defeat at Thurrock with much relish.

Griffiths is the second player to leave Fisher for Grays in quick succession after former midfielder Anton Robinson left in January. Thurrock Gazette