Gary Abbott has got so much to offer our young forwards, says Cray boss Ian Jenkins

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says he has welcomed Gary Abbott back to the club with open arms, writes Stephen McCartney.



Abbott, the former Sittingbourne manager, 47, had agreed a three-year contract to manage Kent Invicta League club Erith & Dartford Town at the start of the season, but he left the Crayford based club on 4 October, after only ten competitive games in charge, with only one league win and two draws from his seven league outings.

Erith & Dartford Town secretary, Simon Kidby, issued a brief statement this morning.

“We consider the matter between the club and Gary.  We do not wish to comment on the matter at this time other to confirm Gary left the club on Tuesday 4 October.”

Former Erith Town manager, Steve O’Boyle, who has been working as Tony Beckingham’s number two at Sussex County League side East Grinstead Town, has been appointed as the club’s FOURTH manager of the year.

O’Boyle will be assisted by Sam MacNeil, the son of chairman Roy, and they took charge of team affairs against Rusthall and Meridian, which resulted in victories, which has guided the club to tenth place in the Kent Invicta League table.

“No formal appointment has been made and we are not inviting applications,” added Mr Kidby.

Abbott, who finished his glittering playing career with Cray Wanderers, was listed as coach on the official team-sheet for the Wands’ FA Cup exit at the hands of Dartford yesterday.

“That (his time at Erith & Dartford Town) all went pair-shaped, he was getting promises and (the club) didn’t come up with them.  He had to do a lot of work himself,” claimed Jenkins.

“He rang me up and said can he have a ticket for the Dartford game.  I said more than that ‘how about coming down and meeting us and get involved with the forwards until you get yourself another job?’

“You can’t get a bloke like that (go without a job), he’s got so much to offer our young forwards, you’ve got to get him down there!

“I can’t believe no-one’s taken a gamble on him. 

“He’s played for clubs and he’s played under one of the best manager’s in non-league that he’s ever had -  I’ve got to blow my own trumpet,” laughed Jenkins.

Cray Wanderers’ continuous FA Cup heartbreak continues as they were defeated 2-1 at home to Dartford in front of their largest crowd of the season at Hayes Lane yesterday.

Tommy Whitnell’s tenth goal of the season gave the Wands an early second half lead, but Dartford fought back and booked their place in the final qualifying round courtesy of a 40-yard curling free-kick from winger Ryan Hayes and a deflected strike from substitute Danny Harris in the final eighteen minutes.

Cray Wanderers swiftly return to action, a home Ryman League Cup tie against lower-division Ramsgate on Tuesday night.

Jenkins said: “At the end of the day we’re disappointed, I wouldn’t expect anything different, but we’ll get them up, that’s what we’re all about.  We’ve got a massive game against Ramsgate on Tuesday in the League Cup, so we’ll get them up for that.”

Jim Ward’s side are presently in eleventh place in the Ryman League Division One South table with four wins and three draws from 12 outings and needed a late Joe Taylor equaliser to gain a point at Eastbourne Town yesterday.

“Obviously we had a good game down at Margate (in the Kent Senior Cup) last Tuesday, we played seven players’ that ain’t been playing so they’ll be playing and they’ll get games again,” revealed Jenkins.

“We take things serious like most clubs do but you look at games like that and you want players’ to have a run out.

“We’ve got a squad of 25 and they all need games so I’ll be playing a full strength (side), I think, because the squad’s good enough.  I wouldn’t have them here if they weren’t good enough.  They’re not fringe players, they’re players who can get into my side.”

Jenkins takes his side to Ryman Premier League rivals’ Lewes in the first qualifying round of The FA Carlsberg Trophy next Saturday.

The Wands have already visited The Dripping Pan this season, former Tonbridge Angels’ striker Paul Booth converting a penalty to give Lewes the points in a league game.

Jenkins said: “That’s another game where we’ve played quite well on the day.

“The way we’ve been playing, we’ve been fantastic.  We haven’t played a poor game all season, even the first game where we lost 5-2 (to AFC Hornchurch), every game we’ve been in and we’ve played well in.

“People are talking how well we’re playing, Barcelona of our division and all that.  We’re doing something right!

“We’re going there, it’s the FA Trophy.  We’ve got a chance of making a bit more money and get some big sides in that, so maybe we can get Dartford in the latter rounds and get a bit of revenge on Tony (Burman)!”

Visit Cray Wanderers website: www.craywands.co.uk 

Cray Wanderers  v  Ramsgate
Ryman League Cup Second Round
Tuesday 18^th October 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF