Jenkins signs players to "plug his leaky defence" - EXCLUSIVE

Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins has been focusing on strengthening his leaky defence this summer as he prepares for the club’s fourth Ryman League Division One South campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.

Former Maidstone United central defender, Ryan Royston, 25, a committed player who wins 99.9% of balls in the air and scored 12 goals for the Stones during their championship winning campaign from this division last term, signed for the club last night.

Sidcup resident Royston, a PE teacher, opted to sign for the Wands despite interest from rivals Dover Athletic and Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate.

Speaking in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning, Royston revealed why he’s opted to sign for the Wands.

“Just because it was more local than the other offers,” he explained.

“I spoke to Ramsgate, I spoke to Dover and the offers weren’t significantly better financially and when I spoke to friends of mine, they had nothing but positives about Cray.

“They're the ones that were offering, and local. They're three offers on the table and when I sat down and spoke to people, and my partner, that was the best offer.”

Good luck charm Royston is relishing meeting his new team-mates when the club return to pre-season training on Tuesday, 3^rd July.

And he wants to bring his new side some luck, especially after winning promotions with his two previous clubs, Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United.

“I’m relishing trying to win another promotion,” he said. “It will be good to win it (the Ryman League Division One South title) two years on the spin.

“The last three (out of) four seasons I’ve won promotion and the idea next season is to win the league.”

Royston will be looking to plug a defence that leaked 69 goals during their 42 league games last season, a season which saw the Wands finish in 12^th place - their worse finish in their last three seasons.

“Jenko’s exact words were he’s signed me and a goalkeeper “to plug his leaky defence,” said Royston.

And Royston explained why Ramsgate and Dover Athletic didn’t get his signature.

He said: “I live in Sidcup. That’s the main reason. Cray train five minutes away from my house and play ten minutes away. Dover and Ramsgate is a hell of a long way away.

“That was the only negative playing for Maidstone last season, travelling to training and matches.

“You miss out on the social aspect with the team-mates, as many players play local to their house.”

Jenkins also revealed that goalkeeper Glen Knight, 31, is trying to get out of his two-year contract at rivals Dover Athletic to sign for the Hayes Lane outfit.

Knight signed for the Whites in May 2006 from Thurrock on a two-year contract, despite offers from club’s higher up in the non-league pyramid, but Jenkins hopes that he’ll be able to sign the former Welling United stopper.

He said: “Glen Knight’s signing, hopefully. He’s trying to get released by Dover (as) he’s struggling with work commitments - hopefully he’ll be coming across this weekend.

“He’s got loads of experience, lots of presence, been there and done it and he’ll be behind a strong back four.”

The Wands have also signed former Charlton Athletic, Bromley and Banstead Athletic defender, Aaron Day, from Tooting & Mitcham United.

The Terrors, whose management team consist of former Bromley trio Billy Smith, George Wakeling and Frank Coles, missed out on promotion into the Ryman Premier League, losing at home to Hastings United in the play-off final last month.

Speaking about Day, Jenkins said: “He’s a strong centre half. He can play right-back (and) his defensively minded.

“Because of injuries (last season), we missed players in the back-four. We had Colin Luckett and Mark Willy out last year - but I think this season, we’ll be strong at the back.”

But long-serving stalwart Jenkins, isn’t just concentrating on his back-line this summer - striker George Fenwick, 24, has signed from Ashford Town.

Fenwick, son of Terry Fenwick, finished last season as Ashford’s highest goalscorer, scoring 18 times for the Ryman League Division One South side.

A tall imposing centre forward, Fenwick has also played for Dover Athletic and Bromley after serving his apprenticeship by way of a Scholarship in America.

But the downside, however, is the departures of Lewis Wood and winger Ross Lover.

He said: “Obviously centre forward wise, Michael Power looks like he’s going to sign.

“Lewis Wood isn’t going to sign this year, which I’m upset about.

“I think it’s a financial thing, players hear stories about things. It’s a shame. I’m gutted to see him go and I hope he sees sense and comes and do pre-season with us.

“Ross Lover looks like he’s moving on this year to a higher standard. That’s fair play to him to play at a better level - he’s good enough!”

Jenkins also revealed that Willy, Luckett, Jamie Kempster, Jamie Wood, Julian Curnow, David Hall and Danny Whelan, who all played for the club last season, have all re-signed, but he explained why all of his players are on non-contracted terms.

“It’s a shame, especially with the amount of players that I’ve lost over the years,” he said.

Winger Sam Wood and striker Jon Main both played for Jenkins before moving to Bromley and Tonbridge Angels respectively.

Jenkins also confirmed that his side will be playing away pre-season friendlies against Kent League sides Sevenoaks Town (Saturday, 14^th July), Thamesmead Town (Tuesday, 17^th July), Erith Town (Monday, 23^rd July) and VCD Athletic (Tuesday, 31^st July).

Jenkins would also like to travel to Hastings United and welcome Millwall to Hayes Lane and is in negotiations with both clubs.

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