I want my team to entertain, says Jenkins

Sunday 11th July 2010

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says he is looking forward to entertaining the fans when Npower League One side Leyton Orient visit Hayes Lane on Wednesday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The game was arranged following the east London club signed teenage sensation George Porter from the Ryman Premier League club in the close season.

The Wands are also celebrating their 150th anniversary this season and they kicked off their pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Kent County League minnows Crockenhill in front of 400 at St Mary Cray Recreation Ground on 3rd August.

Porter - who signed a two-year professional contract with the O’s - was one of the familiar faces that watched his former side.

“It was fantastic to see Georgie,” Jenkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game.

“He’s started (training) over there and he’s got a squad number as well, which I think is fantastic.

“People were saying ‘will he get one?’ I said, ‘well, he did sign a two-year pro contract, of course they’ll give him one - number 15!”

Jenkins added: “I hope he goes on and on and it’ll be great to see him in an Orient shirt against us and hopefully they’ll be a few people to watch it.”

Jenkins was pleased with his side’s fitness, especially as they went into their first warm-up game on the back of only one training session under their belts.

The long serving boss has revealed that he will increase the number of days that his side will train this season.

The Wands struggled before Christmas of their inaugural Ryman Premier League campaign but improved after the festive period and settled for 15th place at the end of the season.

Jenkins knows his side are in for a stern fitness examination against full-time professionals.

“Their fitness will tell, obviously, they’re going to be full-time,” said Jenkins. “We’ve had six sessions before that game, so our fitness is going to be good as well.

“Our players have kept themselves fit so I don’t think it will be a fitness thing in the game against Orient. They’re pros so they really should be better than we are, but we’ve got some people that have been around the pro game as kids so we’ll be alright. We’ll give them a game!”

With such a terrific turn out against Crockenhill, Jenkins hopes for more of the same in Bromley on Wednesday - a fixture that will generate some much needed funds.

“I want my team to entertain,” said Jenkins. “I want the crowd to be going away saying Cray are a good side. I always want to do it that way.

“If we get as many as we did against Crockenhill, I will be happy with that. If we get a few over there, it’ll be good.”

But he added: “It’s all about getting fit and getting match fitness and getting to know the new players, with the old really - and to entertain!”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Cray Wanderers v Leyton Orient

Pre-Season Friendly

Wednesday 14th July 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF