This weekend sees one of the men responsible for Cray Wanderers finally “going home” stepping away from official duties of Chief Executive Officer at the Club, as Sam Wright steps down from the role.

A former Cray player, Wright left his role with a local council to become the Club’s first ever CEO whilst the dreams of their own ground was still that… a dream!

But under the stewardship of Chairman Gary Hillman and his directors, Wright was appointed for the day-to-day running, and subsequent moving to Flamingo Park. The result of all those man hours is Cray’s “new” permanent home… 

It’s the second departure that the Wands faithful have had to deal in the last seven days as manager Neil Smith left the Club as manager suddenly last week to become Scott Lindsey’s assistant at League One Crawley Town.

We had already asked to talk to Smith about the CEO’s departure and he was happy still to talk about a man who has become a good friend telling us, “Sam was amazing for me. I knew him because the Club shared with Bromley whilst I was there – we would bump into each other, but nothing as serious as when I walked through the door at Cray to become the manager.”

“He was amazing, especially in the first couple of years when we were in each other’s pockets as I was doing the Academy at the time when they had one, and then it was on a daily basis, just sitting in the same room, discussing football, discussing Cray – where he could see it going, his history being there. He was just a phenomenon for me (one) as a CEO, but also as a friend!” 

“It was a massive gamble he took to leave a full-time job to first take the CEO role on, but that shows the desire and the love that he had for Cray Wanderers.”

“Sam wanted it to be the best and to grow, from an ex-player when they were playing at Oxford Road to where it is now, and you could see the passion in his eyes; he has the Club running through his veins.”

“It was a massive gamble that he took as he has family, and he put it on the line to do what he believed would help the Club grow!” 

“Some forget that he was a player, but I was never allowed to as sitting with him, he reminded me that he scored the winning goal in a Kent Cup Final at Gillingham one year!” Smith said grinning before adding his least word on his friend, “He fully deserves all the plaudits that he will get this weekend – plaudits that I know he will absolutely hate as that is the sort of guy Sam is!”

“To go through from where he was a player to go into the CEO’s role, there is a lot of pressure on yourself! To then run your Club in the best way he can, I really do think he has done a phenomenal job, and I wish him all the best whatever he does next!” 

Colin Head who has reported on the Wands for a number of years for us, when asked about Sam, told us, “As well as being a legend for the club in his playing days with a cup winning goal and a lengthy Wands career, also a successful spell managing the Reserve Team, Sam Wright has been even more integral in his role as CEO with Cray Wanderers.”

“Being part of the team who moved the club to their new permanent home at Flamingo Park and helped put them in the strong position they are now.” 

“On a personal level on the occasions when my son has been mascot for the team, Sam always went the extra mile for him, giving him a shirt (which he still has), and also another time arranging for him to play in a game on the pitch at Hayes Lane.”

“A proud moment for father, grandfather and son, as he kept a clean sheet playing as a goalkeeper, before leading the team out in the afternoon.” 

“A friendly welcome was always guaranteed whenever you went to a Cray Wands game as Sam was always there and happy to chat about The Wands and football in general.”

“There aren’t many clubs where the CEO stands behind the goal with the supporters cheering on the team. I can only wish Sam all the best for his next move and thank him for the work he did for Cray Wands!” 

Mark Hunt, the Wands Press officer who probably has known Sam the longest told us, “In effect Sam’s work here was done as the club had built enough links locally to lesser the need of a CEO as the club are now ensconced at Flamingo Park hopefully for life!”  

“Sam can now unwind and meditate to his heart’s content but still hopefully be part of the Cray Massive and would be most welcome. He has already started a new company alongside Sarah which Sam will update everyone about in due course.”

“From myself personally, I’ve enjoyed every minute of the CEO era as at first it put noses out of joint, but it has led to the club reaching parts it never had previously and we send our love and regards to himself, Sarah and his three daughters. They should be so proud and have left us in a position where his departure is not a disaster.” 

Pictures supplied by Mark Hunt.