I like to think we'll achieve our top six target but we must be more consistent, says Steve Chapman

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Steve Chapman says he is already planning for next season.



The Millers are in ninth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League with 34 points from 23 games and they welcome Greenwich Borough to Badgers on Saturday.

Greenwich Borough used to play at nearby Harrow Meadow but have shared Holmesdale’s Oakley Road ground for the past three years so Cray Valley have become Eltham’s highest ranked club since then with a smart newly-improved ground at Middle Park Avenue.

Holmesdale chairman Mark Harris revealed that he is searching for a new tenant because Greenwich Borough’s three-year lease runs out at the end of this season and speculation about former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright’s old club remains rife.

When asked whether Greenwich Borough have approached Cray Valley over a groundshare agreement and a return to their Eltham roots, Chapman said: ”No. We’ve been approached by a few clubs, but not Greenwich.”

Chapman is looking forward to the game against Gerry Cox’s side, who have won six league games this season, but have Holmesdale, Fisher and Sevenoaks Town below them in the table.

He said: ”After not having a game for a few weeks – again – I’m looking forward to hosting Greenwich on Saturday.

”Since we joined the league last season we’ve had three close games against Gerry’s side and I’m expecting another one at the weekend.

”I like to think that we’ll achieve our target of a top six finish but we must be more consistent over the last nine games.

”We must stop doing well against the likes of Whyteleafe and Erith Town and then losing the next game. It’s so frustrating!”

Chapman, whose side are one point behind sixth-placed Lordswood, revealed he is already planning for next season.

”I’ve also got one eye on next season already so expect to see a few new faces in the coming weeks,” he said.

”I’m confident that I’ll retain the nucleus of the current squad so the aim is to only bring in three or four players.  The likes of Joe Matthews, Jamie Miller, Ben Healy have proved they can handle the step up and at 22-23 years of age they can only get better.

”The signing of Paul Gross from VCD has also proved that we are a club that can attract big games.  Grossy is already a great ambassador for the club and hopefully with him spreading the word about our desire push for further success next season, we’ll get those few players we need.”

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

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Greenwich Borough
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 23^rd March 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Badgers Sports, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT