We've got to look for top three, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman

The Eltham-based club finished in eighth-place in the Kent League last season, which was the club’s highest league position in their history.

Chapman revealed that he will run with a large 22-man squad going into their opening league game against Holmesdale at Oakley Road on 10 August.

“My philosophy is to sign 22 players,” said Chapman.

When asked how he will keep such a large squad happy, Chapman replied: “We don’t have a reserve side, it will be very difficult.  The only way that I can try and keep them happy is through man-management and to believe when their chance will come they will play.

“Most players end up playing 25 games a season in a 20-man squad anyway but they have to wait for their chance.

“I will lose one or two between now and the start of the season, but I’ve already got some back-up plans to replace those players.”

This time last year, Cray Valley were described as dark horses for the title – but Chapman admitted the club weren’t ready to achieve the success of promoted sides Erith & Belvedere (as double winners) and VCD Athletic.

“We’ve got to look for top three,” said Chapman.

“You put us as the dark horses last year and I said that we wasn’t, but I might agree with you in saying we may be the dark horses this year with the squad that we’ve got.

“If I can get them playing the way I want them to play, with Laurent Hamici up front, Adam Marsh, Tunde Aderonmu, Lewis Wood, we will score goals so we’ve just got to not concede.

“We’ve got some strength-in-depth a little bit like Erith & Belvedere had last year, They won the league with five good strikers and they scored plenty of goals. We won’t have five but we’ll have four but I’d like to put as many of those on the pitch at the same time.”

Cray Valley will also stage the home games of Erith Town and the both clubs will certainly be pushing for promotion because Badgers’ Sports Ground has the potential to stage Ryman League football in the not too distant future.

Chapman said: “Erith Town are coming down to groundshare this year because it’s already developed to go Ryman standard so I think we have got the potential but we’re very, very level headed as a club. 

“We’ve got a small budget but we maximise that and I’ve got some great people backing me here so long may that continue.”

Meanwhile, Cray Valley went down to a 2-1 defeat to Kent Invicta League side Bridon Ropes tonight.  Lewis Wood scored the Millers’ goal in the hastily-arranged game at the University College Sports Ground in Chislehurst.

Cray Valley continue their pre-season campaign with a home game against Ryman League Division One North side VCD Athletic on Wednesday.

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