Whatever is decided, and there are sure to be teams who will disagree with the outcome, we can only accept the decision gracefully and plan for next season accordingly, says Cray Valley chairman Frank May

Tuesday 24th March 2020

Frank May, the chairman of Isthmian League South East Division side Cray Valley (Paper Mills), has issued the following statement:

 

“You will have read earlier today that following a meeting on Monday evening, the Alliance Leagues have begun the process to terminate the season.

It has been a tough time lately with the shutdown of the clubhouse due to the Coronavirus outbreak, with the loss of revenue that follows, but we totally agree with the current lockdown imposed by the Prime Minister.

The health, safety and wellbeing of the population has to come first and I hope you are all following the rules!

But, we still have bills to pay and we will do what we can to ensure those bills get paid - with some help from the Government and maybe those clubs at the very top of the pyramid?

We are looking at ways to generate income but in these difficult times, that is virtually impossible without getting people together.

With the announcement that League fixtures are over, subject to approval from the FA, we can at least start to plan what is needed to prepare the pitches at Badgers for next season.

Again though, there are more costs involved and we will see what we can do with the resources that are available to us.

Back on the pitch, we also wait to see what division we will be playing in next season as the FA decides on whether the season is declared null and void, promotion and relegation places are decided by Points per Game, or the most unlikely scenario, the table stands as it is.

Whatever is decided, and there are sure to be teams who will disagree with the outcome, we can only accept the decision gracefully and plan for next season accordingly.

What is without doubt, however, is how incredibly proud I am to have led the club during the past seven years which has included a London Senior Cup win, promotion to Step Four as Southern Counties East Football League Champions, and of course, an appearance at Wembley in the Final of the FA Vase.

There have been many other highlights and to now be in a position where promotion to Step Three is almost within our grasp, is a remarkable achievement for the club.

But I cannot take all the glory, and neither do I claim to. There are, and have been, many, many good and harder working people than I, who have contributed to the club and laid the path that brings us to today.

All that really remains to say for now, is thank you to our sponsors, committee, media consultants, pitch preparers, managers and players, but mostly to our loyal supporters, who back us each week.

Hopefully, you will all return next season, whenever that might start, and in whatever division, and we can get back to enjoying life again with our friends.

I look forward to the day during the summer when the action returns to the pitch, and all of our loved ones have come safely through this pandemic.

Stay safe everyone, and take care.”