I’m sure every manager goes in wanting to win the league, right, and then see where we end up, having an appraisal at the end of it, so we’ll go into it trying to win every game, trying to win the league, says Cray Valley boss Kevin Watson

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Kevin Watson says he’s excited going into the club’s debut Isthmian League South East Division campaign.

The Millers celebrated winning the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title by claiming the title by just a point and they suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 extra-time defeat to Chertsey Town in The Buildbase FA Vase Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 19 May 2019.

Cray Valley kick-off their league campaign with a home game against Hastings United on Saturday 17 August 2019.

“What’s my aspirations? To go into every game trying to win it,” said Watson.

“I’m sure every manager goes in wanting to win the league, right, and then see where we end up, having an appraisal at the end of it, so we’ll go into it trying to win every game, trying to win the league.

“I’m not saying we will win the league or we will win the league or we’re good enough to win the league, that’s the objective.”

Watson faces a challenge to pick up his players’ from the disappointment OF losing at Wembley, especially when Anthony Edgar’s last kick of the game cannoned against the crossbar with the score level at 1-1 at the end of normal time.

“I say both teams experienced, up until the end of the game and actually winning it and walking up those steps and lifting the trophy, they had the same experience,” said Watson.

“Probably the experience was as much as actually that winners medal.  The build-up and actually playing there and things like that.  It’s absolutely brilliant but that’s last season. We need to evolve and move on so there’s no real conversation about it to be honest.”

Three weeks had passed between the final last league game and playing on the hallowed turf so managers in the Wembley Final are delayed with squad building for the next season.

“It’s been a tough pre-season because we were delayed with things. We were three weeks behind speaking to players, getting other players, getting pre-season friendlies sorted, working on the pitch and working at the club, so it’s been really tough,” admitted Brentwood-based Watson.

“I’m going to have a holiday and a break with my family. I’m so what governed by my job in terms of the school holidays and I’ve always said to my family, I’ve made a pledge we’ll always have a holiday because they haven’t seen me for most of the year so I’ll go and enjoy that.

“Kevin James and Tommy Osborne will hold the reigns and it’s fine.”

Visit Cray Valley (Paper Mills) website:  www.cray-valley.co.uk