All I've ever wanted to do is make Cray Wanderers self-sufficient and if I get run over by a bus when we play our first game at Flamingo Park the club will survive for ever, says Cray Wanderers chairman Gary Hillman

CRAY WANDERERS chairman Gary Hillman says he’s feeling the most excited that he’s ever been during his 29 years at the helm.

 

The club began building work at their new stadium at Flamingo Park on the A20 last Monday 14 August.

“The main thing is getting the 3G pitch down first, so we can train there – and the youth teams – so that’s the number one priority,” said Hillman, a builder by trade.

“Number two priority is getting it up to Step Three (Isthmian League Premier Division) level, so doing a couple of stands and everything based on what I’ve done at Bromley over the last three or four years, seating and standing.

“We’re still not going to build the big new stand that we’ve got planning for. We’re going to do the other two sides, just to get us playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division and get us home.

“Number one priority is get it up to Step Three level, so we can play on our own ground for next season, so if everything goes to plan and the money doesn’t run out, hopefully that’s what we’ll be doing next season.

“We’ve agreed to do a deal with Velocity (to lay) the 3G pitch.  They’ve been very helpful and patient over the last two or three years so they’re doing the pitch.

“I’ve got another ground work company doing the heavy structure and I’m going to be doing the stands, like I’ve done over at Bromley.

“If it all goes to plan, we’ll be playing there on the opening day of next season.”

Back on the pitch, Neil Smith’s side have begun their league campaign with three defeats, losing to Lewes (0-1); Horsham (1-3) and Billericay Town (0-1).

The Wands lie within the relegation zone (20^th place) with Haringey Borough, Concord Rangers and Potters Bar Town also on zero points at this early stage.

When asked about the club’s aspirations for the season ahead, Hillman replied: “Just to be competitive.  Number one priority for any team really is to stay up, so that’s our number one priority.

“Hopefully, we can be there or there abouts, midtable, pushing for play-offs, see where it takes us from there really.”

Smith revealed after the Horsham game last Tuesday night that he is working with the same budget that he had last season.

“Hold my hands up, there’s 10 teams who have bigger budgets in our League,” revealed Hillman.

“I say we might not have the biggest budget but we’re in the best area, best equipped playing at (National League) Bromley, lovely facilities, good area, good catchment area, so I think that means a lot.”

Cray Wanderers have played at Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground since the 1998-99 season and Hillman is relishing the chance of the club owning their first stadium and generating income throughout the week.

“Hopefully crowds will go up because we’re sort of back in our local area.  Historically, we’ve always had a big fan base pre-1973 before we moved away, so hopefully we can get 500-600,” said Hillman.

“That will be a game-changer as well because we obviously don’t get any bar takings at Bromley, so that will be a game changer for us.

“I think it will be a surreal moment when we do move into the ground and when we do play our first game there.

“It’s the most excited that I’ve been on and off the pitch for a long, long time.

“In 29 years we’ve had a few ups and down, generally all up.  I started being chairman when we were bottom of the Kent League and just lost against Kent Police.

“I always say Rome weren’t built in a day and we’re gradually getting there and established ourselves as an Isthmian Premier League team and if you look at the teams in our league, we’re playing at our highest ever level.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do is to make Cray Wanderers self-sufficient, so hopefully that’s the name of the game and if I get run over by a bus when we play our first league game, the club will survive for ever, so that’s number one priority.”

Cray Wanderers make the trip to Enfield Town on Saturday 26 August (15:00).

Visit Cray Wanderers website: www.cray-wanderers.com