Tony Russell and Joe Vines announce shock departure from Cray Wanderers

CRAY WANDERERS begin the search for a new management team after announcing that Tony Russell and his assistant manager Joe Vines have left the club due to “personal reasons and the frustration of two Covid-19 disrupted reasons.”

A statement from the Isthmian League Premier Division club said: “All at Cray Wanderers pass our thanks to Tony for six incredible seasons which saw the club rebound from a few seasons of struggle to becoming play-off contenders and Isthmian South East champions in 2018-19.

“Despite the struggles with Covid-19 in the past year the club were second when the 2019-20 Isthmian Premier season was suspended and won five out of the seven league games played in 2020-21.

"Tony also was a big voice in improving the way the club can move forward off the pitch with a big emphasis on future planning with the youth team setup and instilled a playing style which although was easy on the eye worked extremely hard and the Wands became a tough side to beat during his time in charge. 

“Joe Vines became Tony’s right-hand man in the summer of 2017 and over four seasons had created a successful duo, full of ideas and both made Cray a great watch and a team within touching distance of the National South for the first time in the club’s history and has a bright future in the game.

“We thank Tony and Joe for such great dedication and for all their achievements with Cray Wanderers and we wish them both well in their future endeavours in the game, which promise to be just as successful.”

The club are now looking to appoint a new first-team manager in good time to prepare for the 2021-22 season.

To register your interest in this role, please email sam.wright@cray-wanderers.com with a brief history of your football management experience included.

Meanwhile, prolific striker Joe Taylor, has announced his departure from the club, following the announcement of Russell and Vines leaving.

"Last few seasons at Cray Wanderers have been very special for me but it's coming to an end today.  Thank you to everybody at the club and all the best for the future."

Goalkeeper, Lewis Carey, defenders Tom Carlse and Ben Mundele, midfielder Tom Phipp and striker Freddie Parker have all confirmed that they have played their last game for The Wands.

Cray Wanderers were sitting in seventh-place in the Isthmian League Premier Division table with 15 points from their seven league games - six points behind leaders Worthing - at the time of the curtailment to the 2020-21 football season due to the coronavirus health pandemic.

Visit Cray Wanderers website:  www.cray-wanderers.com