Cray Wanderers start what will be a historic season for the Club this weekend as plans for the hosting of the very first home League game at their own ground are now just days away from being realised for the first time this century! 

But for boss Neil Smith all thoughts about what an incredible night at Flamingo Park will be next week must be put to one side as his sides kick off their Isthmian League campaign this weekend with a trip through the Dartford Tunnel to face Hashtag United at Aveley. 

Talking to us this week, the Wands boss told us, “There’s always excitement going into any season. We have found a new home, and we are not wandering any more, we have a base and must build on that.

“It is going to be a difficult season we know as there are so many big Clubs in the division. We have a lot going on this year, on and off the pitch. Obviously, there is excitement there, the directors cannot wait for us to have a home and that first game on Tuesday will be an incredibly special moment for all of us.” 

“But before we can think about Cray Valley, we have a very tough start on Saturday, Hashtag are one of the favourites to try and get in and around the play-offs and promotion, it is a tough game to start; they are a very good side who are very well managed as a Club, it’s a big game that I really looking forward to.” 

“I think that there are so many teams who are going for it in a big, big way this season. Dulwich near enough going full time with training Monday during the day is almost unheard of in this division, I think the League has just got better and better.” 

“There are so many teams who could do well this year. Will there be another Hornchurch this year and run away with the League? I do not know, I do think that there will be seven or eight teams going into the start of the season who are all going for it in a big way. What you hope to do is to be one of the dark horses that we are – the underdog – and see where we end up!” 

“We are not fortunate enough to put people on two-year deals, so we must try and keep as many players as possible, and I think we have done that keeping players from last year who did well for us.

“A few have had better offers elsewhere and have left and because of that it feels like you are always creating a new team and a new squad. We have had to do it, and we might still add to it, as with no disrespect, we must wait until everyone else has found their players and see what’s still out there.

“There are some gems still out there who are looking for a Club to play and we now have that opportunity.”