My current priority is to find a home for Cray Wanderers, says chairman Gary Hillman

CRAY WANDERERS chairman Gary Hillman insists he will not give up on his mission to bring the club back home to the Crays.



The chairman has vowed that the 152-year-old football club will not give up on its dream of developing a new permanent home, despite the rejection of its most recent proposals.

Mr Hillman said he was keen to work with Bromley council to refine plans for a new stadium for the club after plans for a mixed-use scheme with a 5,153 seater stadium were turned down in October.

The Ryman Premier League club currently shares Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground, but has sought to develop a new sporting village with a gym, 25 metre swimming pool, commercial floorspace and housing at a site in Sandy Lane, Orpington.

Mr Hillman said the scheme, drawn up in conjunction with local architects and town planners Pellings LLP would not only have provide the club with a permanent home but also delivered long-term economic and social benefits.

Mr Hillman issued a statement on the club’s website and said: “I am getting good vibes out of my most recent correspondence and discussions with London Borough off Bromley and I have a meeting with them on Friday.

”My current priority is to ensure that finding a home for Cray Wanderers FC in the Crays can be included in the upcoming Draft Development Framework that is being drawn up by LB Bromley at the start of 2013.

”I therefore urge all Cray Wanderers FC supporters and football fans living in the London Borough of Bromley to communicate with their local councilors, planning officers and their MP.

”Please remind them that Cray Wanderers FC is seeing their help to find a new home and to secure the club’s future beyond 2014 when the current groundsharing arrangement with Bromley FC is due to expire.

”Please ask for their help and support in getting this project included in the very important Draft Development Framework document.”

Mr Hillman added: “The many hundreds of letters backing the application sent to Bromley Council demonstrate the level of public support for the stadium.

”We look forward to discussing the plans further with the council and hope to find a solution that will secure the future of the world’s second-oldest football club.”

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/craywands