We just want to be improving ourselves, says Cray Valley boss Paul Gross

CRAY VALLEY boss Paul Gross says he wants to improve matters on the pitch during his second season in charge of the club.

The Eltham-based club finished in seventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League last season and they begin their new campaign with a home game against Lordswood on Saturday, 8 August.

“The club brought me in, they just asked me to try to improve things, try to give the place a new lease of life,” said Gross.

“Chappo (Steve Chapman) has been here years and done a great job and they just wanted to give it to someone else younger with some ideas so I said last year I wanted to improve.

“With the players’ I’ve brought here, I’m quietly confident that we can go and improve our league position.”

Following their opener against James Collins’ Lords, Cray Valley travel to Dulwich to tackle Fisher on Monday 10 August before The Millers host league rivals Ashford United in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 15 August.

Gross said: “The Cup draw hasn’t been handy to us getting Ashford in the first round but look, everyone’s there to be beaten.

“Can we go on a little cup run this year? I don’t mind what cup, no matter what cup it is. 

“We were beaten by Meridian (in the Kent Senior Trophy) last year so just again, improvement, just want to be improving ourselves and getting the players’ enjoying it together.”

Gross is passionate about his football and revealed he has taken advice from experienced friends in the game.

He admits: “I’ve calmed down, sort of know what to expect. I’ve spoken to a lot of good people who have helped me out.  I sit back and think about things now rather than reacting straight away. Hopefully I’m getting there now and the boys are enjoying playing for me.”

Visit Cray Valley’s website:  www.cray-valley.co.uk

Cray Valley  v  Lordswood
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 8^th August 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT