Cray Wanderers lose striker Laurent Hamici but bring in goalkeeper Andy Walker from Maidstone United

CRAY WANDERERS secretary Kerry Phillips has explained why the club have pulled their successful reserve side out of the Kent League, writes Stephen McCartney.


Former reserve boss Darren Anslow was appointed first team manager of Kent League side Sevenoaks Town last weekend, after making a U-turn and deciding to quit Kent Invicta League outfit Erith & Dartford Town before a ball was kicked.

It is expected that many of Cray’s successful double-winning reserve side will join Anslow at Greatness Park next season, although the 40-year-old will still run Cray Wanderers’ Academy side on a full-time basis.

“Cray Wanderers were forced into disbanding the reserve team, at very short notice, because the Sidcup Conservative Club (the landlords of Oxford Road) withdrew use of the pitch to us,” Mr Phillips said in a statement, which was published on www.craywands.co.uk.

“The Con’s Club had decided that they would prefer another club to play on the pitch at bar opening ‘peak times’, giving them the opportunity of increased bar sales, over and above what they currently achieve by having the Cray reserves team using the facility.

“It is anticipated that, at some stage in the near future, Cray Wanderers will be able to run a reserves side once again.

“The advent of the new ground will certainly be beneficial in reaching that objective, and we cannot stress too strongly how important it is for the supporters and friends of Cray Wanderers to get behind our club when the application for planning consent is put to the public for comment by the planning authorities.”

Mr Phillips also confirmed that, for the foreseeable future and despite the Conservative Club pulling the playing rug from underneath the reserve team, the Oxford Road ground will remain the designated headquarters of Cray Wanderers.

Manager Ian Jenkins held the club’s player-of-the-year presentation at his Sidcup residence last Saturday and as a result released one player from last season’s squad, goalkeeper Dave King.

But leading goalscorer, Laurent Hamici, has made the bad career move to their Ryman Premier League rivals Carshalton Athletic.  Paul Dipre, the club’s owner, is also the first team manager and hit the headlines after banning ten supporters for foul and abusive language whilst they were supporting their team last season.

Jenkins has made his first summer signing, by bringing former Bromley goalkeeper Andy Walker back to  Hayes Lane, having signed him from Maidstone United.  The Stones suffered their first relegation when they lost their Ryman Premier League status last season.

A club statement added: “The remainder of last season’s squad have either re-signed for Cray or will be doing so shortly, including Danny Phillips.”

Cray Wanderers will be running two stalls at this year’s Cray festival at St Mary Cray Recreation Ground on Saturday 9 July.  The stalls will represent the Sandy Lane 2014 Project and the club shop.

Meanwhile, former Cray Wanderers striker, Jon Main, 30, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract with Tonbridge Angels (his former club) on Thursday night, following his release from Football League newcomers AFC Wimbledon last month.

Quotes courtesy of Trevor Mulligan - www.craywands.co.uk