Cray Wanderers have bolstered their squad with some excellent signings as they begin life on the new 4G playing surface at Hayes Lane in the newly sponsored Bostik League South.
The Wands have signed classy left back Barney Williams from Braintree Town and is a hugely respected player amongst his peers. Also joining Cray is centre-half/right back Mitchell Nelson who signed from Tonbridge Angels and already looks an inspired signing.
Cray were also boosted when centre-half Jay Leader who was voted into the Ryman South team of the season last year re-signed for the club after originally leaving for Barking. The return of Jay gives the defence a very solid look.
Also recruited by the club is new Assistant Player- Manager, Joe Vines. Joe has played for Cray on three occasions and Cray Wanderers manager Tony Russell sees Joe as one of the games great thinkers and replaces Paul Lorraine who left at the start of the summer. Nathan White is the Wands first team coach.
Cray have been able to re-sign some quality players including goalkeeper Nick Blue who is one of the best keepers in the Bostik League, captain and midfield general Lea Dawson, energetic and attack minded midfield player Karl Dent and after a year off through injury forward/winger James Duckworth. Midfield anchorman, Dean Carpenter has also re-signed for Cray.
Vitally, Cray have been able to re-sign to contract two forwards who struck 50 goals between them in the league last season, Danny Haynes and Luke Medley which is a positive sign to keep your best players as rival teams seem to be losing there’s. Joining Danny and Luke upfront is another Cray Wanderers legend in Michael Power who joins from Phoenix Sports for his third spell with the club.
Leaving Cray in the summer are Paul Lorraine who has joined ambitious SCEFL Division One side, Punjab United, midfielder Lee Prescott who has signed with Bostik Premier Margate and versatile midfielder, Sean Roberts who has joined AFC Hornchurch. Brandon Scott who was such a huge success out on the right wing last season was snapped up for Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy and is with League One Bristol Rovers to continue his progress at a higher level.
Pre-season has begun with five straight wins all on travels due to their not being a home friendly at this point.
There have been some very fine performances from some very young players like centre-half Marcus Evans, midfielder Josh Owen and forwards Ken Charles and Freddie Parker.
Tony Russell has never been afraid to blood young talent in the first team and these players look certainly like stars of the future.
On July 11th, Cray travelled to Sheppey United on a very wet and sloshy night and won the game 1-0 with Power claiming the goal in the 35th minute.
Saturday, 15th July the Wands made the short trip to Rotherhithe to take on Fisher and after trailing at the break won the game 3-2. Goalscorers were Medley, winger Warren Whitely and a fine header from Nelson.
On Tuesday, 18th July, the Wands took on Corinthian at Gay Dawn Farm and won the game 1-0 with Williams scoring in the 34th minute.
The Wands moved up the gears on Saturday, 22nd July with a good win at rainy Bearsted winning 3-1. Medley scored twice and Dawson got on the scoresheet with Bearsted pulling a goal back fifteen minutes from time.
Finally on Tuesday evening, Cray won 2-0 at Erith & Belvedere with Dent and Duckworth on target. They next take on ambitious near neighbours Glebe at Foxbury Avenue on Friday, 28th July, 7.45pm.
All in all things are looking positive for Cray pre-season and have recruited some excellent additions whilst keeping the spine of the side.
They kick off their league campaign on Saturday, 12th August at home to Thamesmead Town which brings former Cray manager Tommy Warrilow back to Hayes Lane.
This is followed up on Tuesday, 15th August with a trip to Phoenix Sports. In the FA Cup Preliminary Round, Cray have been drawn at home to the winners of the Sevenoaks Town/Broadbridge Heath tie which will take place on Sunday, 20th August.