The icing on the cake would be to reach the London Senior Cup Final, says Steve Chapman

CRAY VALLEY manager Steve Chapman says he wants to guide the club to the London Senior Cup Final in his last season in charge of the club.

The Millers manager confirmed at five o’clock this afternoon that this will be his last season in charge of the club.

Cray Valley were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Phoenix Sports today, a result that leaves them in a disappointing seventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table, with 10 wins, 7 draws and 7 defeats from their 24 games.

The Eltham based club are 22 points adrift of league leaders Whyteleafe, who are seven points clear of Ashford United, who have two games in hand.

“Just to let you know that due to work and family commitments I’ve decided to step down as first team manager at the end of the season,” said Chapman.

“I have told the committee of my decision and it has been agreed that I will re-join the committee to help push the club forward and assist with youth development.”

Reflecting on his career at the Badgers Sports Ground, Chapman has improved in each of his seasons in the Kent League, finishing in eleventh in their first season, before finishing in the top eight last season.

He said: “I joined Cray in 1982 and played until I was 40.  Since retiring I’ve had various roles including managing reserves and youth teams as well as coaching first team until I took over three and a half years ago.

“I gained promotion to the Kent League and the club are now firmly established in the League.”

Chapman revealed that he told club officials of his decision to walk at the end of the season leading up to today’s game, which was drawn courtesy of goals from player-assistant manager Paul Gross and Jimmy Rogers.

He said: “My future role has yet been agreed as although I made my mind up at Christmas, I only told the committee on Thursday.”

Chapman insists he will not get in the way of the new manager.

He said: “I don’t intend to interfere with things on the park but if the new manager needs any help I’ll always be on hand.

“At the moment I’m looking forward to not having to be involved with pre-season training for the first time in 30 years.”

The Millers welcome AFC Wimbledon or Bromley in the London Senior Cup Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding Semi-Finals on a date to be arranged and would like to play Metropolitan Police or Wingate & Finchley (both Ryman Premier League clubs) in the Final.

Chapman said: “The icing on the cake would be to reach the London Senior Cup Final for the first time in the club’s history.”

Chapman has eight league games left in charge of the club, starting with a trip to Rochester United on Tuesday night.

Rochester United are in the bottom five with 20 points from 23 games and came away from fifth-placed Corinthian with a point in a 1-1 draw today.

Meanwhile, John Fowler’s Whyteleafe travel to Greenwich Borough on Tuesday night and the Dartford based hosts have reduced admission prices for the game to adults (£5), concessions (£3) and under 11’s can watch the game for FREE.

The Leafe hold the advantage in the title race following their 7-2 home win over Fisher, whilst Ashford United fought back from being 2-0 down to win 3-2 against third-placed Tunbridge Wells at Culverden Stadium.

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