There will be another huge piece of history for Cray Wanderers this evening as the Wands play the first ever league game at Flamingo Park as well as a first ever competitive match with Cray Valley Paper Mills on what will be an exciting and emotional night.

It has been a very long time in the making for Cray Wanderers who for the first time in the club’s history have been able to own their own ground and after a successful pre-season in terms of crowd support and has been a few years in the making but the realisation has begun to sink in with supporters and the club that the Wands are now firmly at home.

Cray Wanderers got off to a great start to the season with a 2-0 win at Hashtag United on Saturday.  An early Frankie Raymond goal was soon followed by a Shaun Rowley penalty save on his 100th Cray Wanderers appearance who also claimed a clean sheet.  In the second half Cray came close to scoring a second through Charlie Edwards and Nyren Clunis but added a second a minute from time with Dontai Stewart on his debut scoring in some style to give Cray a first ever away win to start an Isthmian Premier league season.

There were a few Wands players making their debuts on Saturday with the likes of Darion Dowrich, Quade Taylor, Charlie Edwards, Kenny Coker, Lateef Adaja, David Smith, Dontai Stewart and Arezki Hamouchene all either playing or coming on as substitutes as well as stalwarts like Shaun Rowley, Tom Bonner, David Ijaha, Frankie Raymond, Nyren Clunis, Anthony Cook and Archie Johnson adding considerable experience and knowhow.  

Cray Valley PM are making their Isthmian Premier debut this season following promotion as champions of the Isthmian South-East, a title Cray Wanderers won in 2018-19 and were the model of consistency winning the title on 95 points, six clear of Ramsgate with just one defeat all season and an incredible 18 wins out of 19 on the road.  Steve McKimm’s side made national headlines also after wins against Lordswood, Uxbridge, Northwood, Carshalton Athletic and Enfield Town set up a local derby at League One Charlton Athletic which finished in a 1-1 draw in front of the BBC TV Cameras. The televised replay at the Artic Stadium was won by Charlton Athletic 6-1 but the club were put firmly on the map.  Cray Valley also reached the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy.

The Millers first Isthmian Premier League match was a big one at home to Dartford and were edged out in a close game 2-1. Tom Chambers levelled for Cray Valley after Callum Jones put Dartford ahead before half time but Denzelle Olopade’s goal on 70 minutes won the game for the Darts in front of a crowd of close to 800.  On Saturday there were four ex-Wands on duty for the Millers, Barney Williams, Freddie Parker both of whom won the Isthmian South-East with the Wands, Andre Coker and Michael Ademiluyi. 

This will be the start of the writing of another chapter in Cray Wanderers long history and by the end of the season days and nights like this at Flamingo Park will be the norm and the future will be bright whatever the result.

Admission:  £12 adults, £6 concessions, U18s on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets  – Printed match programme £3, Golden Goals, merchandise and hot food/drinks/refreshments/bar available.