Cray Wanderers relish prestigious visit from GB Deaf squad

Wednesday 06th July 2011

CRAY WANDERERS are looking forward to meeting the Great British Deaf football team at Hayes Lane next month, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ian Jenkins’ side lock horns with the side at Bromley on Sunday, 7 August (3pm), as they prepare for the forthcoming Ryman Premier League campaign.

“GB Deaf approached the club at the beginning of this year to suggest playing the match as part of the 150^th anniversary celebrations,” said club spokesman Jerry Dowlen.

“Cray have already marked their 150^th birthday with a number of special events, including a charity ball, an exhibition at Bromley Museum and a friendly match against the Guyana full international team.

“The Wands will look forward to another international football match on 7 August 2011 versus the GB Deaf team.”

The GB Deaf Football squad has made excellent progress in Denmark to reach the semi-final where they will play Ukraine tomorrow.

They defeated Germany, Holland and Poland in the group stage and then overcame Ireland in the quarter-final 4-2 after extra time. Meanwhile, for the second year running, Cray Wanderers are staging a “Back to the Crays” friendly to mark the club’s intended return to the district in three years’ time.

The Wands have announced a plan to build a new football stadium at Sandy Lane in St Paul’s Cray, also including a range of health and leisure facilities that are aimed at boosting the Crays community.

Following the big success of the first “Back to the Crays” football match at St Mary Cray Recreation Ground last July, when a crowd of nearly 500 saw Cray Wanderers play their traditional local rivals Crockenhill, the Wands have invited Crockenhill to be their opponents again, on Sunday 14 August (3pm).

This year the venue will be at Hoblingwell Recreation Ground in St Paul’s Cray.

Mr Dowlen added: “The Wands are hopeful of attracting another big turnout of local supporters to show that there is strong enthusiasm to see the club re-establish itself in the area.

“Cray Wanderers have been playing their home matches in Foots Cray since 1973 and at Bromley FC since 1998.

“Club chairman Gary Hillman remains optimistic that the Wands - currently members of the Ryman Premier League - will be in place at Sandy Lane for the start of season 2014-15.”

Cray Wanderers begin their nine-match pre-season campaign with a mouth-watering clash against landlords Bromley at Hayes Lane on Saturday, 16 July (3pm).

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk