GRAYS Athletic’s most successful ever player, Michael Kightly, has expressed his shock at the club’s uncertain future.

The Blue Square Premier side have been hit by the withdrawal of three major sponsors this week.

But Kightly, who is now starring in the Championship with Wolverhampton Wanderers, is praying Grays will survive.

“I was obviously shocked to hear the news and I really hope that they can get through this because it’s a club that will always be in my heart and head,” said the 22-year-old winger who was at the Recreation Ground for a season-and-a-half before leaving for an initial £25,000 in January 2007.

“I owe them so much and their result is still one of the first I look for every week.

“They took a chance on me when I was a nobody and had been released by Southend and they played a huge part in helping my get back into the Football League.

“I was fortunate to play under an outstanding manager there in Mark Stimson but the chairman Mick Woodward has done a lot for them.

“I know he will be doing everything to make sure they keep going and I want that to happen too. Hopefully they can recover and can get back to get the kind of results we had there a couple of years ago.”

Kightly helped Grays reach the end of season Football Conference play-offs and also won the FA Trophy with them in 2006.

He has continued to impress with Wolves and is now established as one of the most promising youngsters outside the Premier League.

A sell-on clause in Kightly’s contract would net Grays 25 per cent of any future fee Wolves receive for his services.

That has led to him being called into the England Under-21 squad and this weekend he will be facing another former Grays favourite, Freddy Eastwood, as Coventry City visit Molinuex.

“My hamstring is OK again now,” said Kightly who missed his side’s last game at Swansea through injury.

“I’m back training and will be playing again this weekend which is good news.”