Cray Wanderers: Grant Basey and Gary Alexander take interim charge

CRAY WANDERERS have appointed former player Grant Basey as their interim manager, with Gary Alexander coming in to assist him.

Basey, 33, made 61 appearances for Cray Wanderers and scored 13 goals during his spell for the club between 2015-2017.

The defender scooped the supporters’ player-of-the-year in 2015-16 as Cray Wanderers reached the Isthmian League North Division play-offs under Tony Russell.

Bassey, who represented Wales at under 17, 19 and 21 level, is currently involved with League One side Charlton Athletic as first-team development coach, providing a link between the first-team and Academy set-up, having played at The Valley between 2007-2010, making 46 League appearances.

Alexander, 42, has previously managed Greenwich Borough, Ashford United and Glebe, leaving the Chislehurst-based Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club due to personal reasons on 2 June 2021.

Peter Lodge comes in as goalkeeper coach, replacing George Howard.

“The positions were made following the departure of Danny Kedwell on 28 December,” said a club statement.

“We also wish Andy Drury and George Howard well in their future ventures as they have also left the club.

“Grant will be interim charge until a new first-team manager has been appointed.”

Gillingham-based Kedwell, 38, has signed on as a player for Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division leaders Chatham Town last night.

Kedwell was in charge of Cray Wanderers for 24 games, having replaced Lewes bound Russell on 10 April 2021.

Kedwell won six of his 24 games in charge of the club in all competitions, drew four and lost 14.  He guided the club to the FA Trophy Third Round for the first time, losing 3-1 at home to National League South Dartford.

The Wands lost 3-2 at home to Margate in Kedwell’s last game in charge on Boxing Day, a result that leaves the club in the bottom two in the Isthmian League Premier Division table, having won four and drawn three of their 19 league games.

Basey and Alexander take the side to East Thurrock United tomorrow, the side immediately above them in the league table, two points clear of the Kent side but having played a couple more games, before welcoming Enfield Town to Hayes Lane on Bank Holiday Monday, 3 January 2022 (15:00).

Applications for the first team manager’s position can be sent to craywanderersfc@gmail.com.

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