We feel like we’re at the start of something special but we have to make sure we do the stuff on the pitch first, says Cray Wanderers boss Tony Russell

CRAY WANDERERS manager Tony Russell says his main focus is to beat Harlow Town on Wednesday night.

The Wands completed their 46-match league campaign in fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, having won 27 and drawn nine of their league games.

Cray Wanderers travel to Harlow Town in the play-off semi-finals with a date with either Thurrock or AFC Hornchurch in Sunday’s Final up for grabs as the Kent club bid to make a return to the Ryman Premier League after a two-year absence.

The club were given the green light by Bromley Council for their new stadium at Flamingo Park in Chislehurst last Tuesday and the news filtered through during the half-time break of their 4-0 win at Wroxham.  Cray Wanderers completed their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Maldon & Tipree at Hayes Lane at the weekend.

Russell raised eyebrows when he and Ray Powell and most of their VCD Athletic players jumped down a division after keeping the Crayford based club in the Ryman Premier League after winning their last six league games.

“Going to Cray was a massive reason that ground was one of the big main reasons what lured me over in the first place,” said Russell, who cut his managerial teeth in the Kent League at Erith Town.

“When I sat down with the three of them (the board) and told me what they’ve got planned and at the time all they had was a planning application.

“It was a bit of a gamble but having spoken to all three of them and listened to what they had to say I believed they were going to get the ground and I’m delighted that my mini gamble paid off in that respect because it’s now for the club to progress on and off the pitch hopefully.

“On that very night we had Wroxham away so it was quite funny because I’m halfway through the team talk and Mark Simpson, the club secretary, burst open the door and screaming at the top of the voice ‘we’ve got the ground, we’ve got the ground,’ and the whole changing room erupted and water was going everywhere.

“The ref pulled me and asked me what was going on in there because he thought there was a bit of a riot going on!

“I think everyone’s just delighted. I just think we’re quite a close bunch both on and off the pitch and everyone knows how much work has gone into it. From everyone, the guys off the pitch have dedicated their life to it and people like Dave Francis and Gary Hillman, he’s been plugging away for ten years trying to get this ground, in and out of court rooms, MP’s.  I’m just delighted for them because I know how much effort they’ve put in.

“I spoke to Dave Francis on the way home from Wroxham and said ‘well done’. He said ‘I’m so glad we’ve held up our end of our bargain for you to come over’.

“It’s just great news for everyone. It’s a real boost, everyone is buzzing about it.

“We feel like we’re at the start of something special but we have to make sure we do the stuff on the pitch first.”

Russell has had to battle against a crippling injury crisis en-route to winning a play-off lottery ticket.

“Honestly, this season’s been the hardest season I’ve known in my short time as manager – it’s been an absolute nightmare,” he said.

“Lewis Tozer, broken ankle, had to retire; Uche Ibemere, double leg break, had to retire; Lea Dawson, broken ankle; Andre McCollin, complete ACL tear on his knee; Karl Dent, torn ligament in his ankle; Jacob Erskine ruptured Achilles and that’s without the injuries all the other clubs have like pulled hamstrings. They’re major injuries.  You’re unlucky if you get one, but to have five or six whatever it is I’ve just reeled off, is just crazy!

“Those injuries are months, seasons, Two people (Tozer and Ibemere) have had to stop playing football. Jacob Erskine is struggling to come back with an operation. It’s been horrendous! I’ve never known anything like it in my life!

“The biggest stat is we’ve never picked the same team twice, which is unheard off. I’ve always wanted to pick the same side so we’ve never had consistency but yet I’m told the 90 points we’ve got is a record for Cray in a Ryman League season and also scoring 96 goals is also a record, so considering everything we’ve had an not picking the same team twice and all the injuries we’ve had, I think it’s testament to the boys to get to where we are.”

Harlow Town finished their campaign with nine more points than Cray Wanderers and Russell claims the Essex side are favourites going into the game.

“I think anytime you go into the play-offs and you’re away from home you’re second favourites because there’s a reason why you’re away from home because the team at home have got more points than you and the league table doesn’t lie,” said Russell.

“We’ve got to try to make that up but we’ve played them twice, we beat them (3-1) at our place and drew (1-1) at their place.

“It’s a 3G pitch, which will suit us and they’re a good side.

“It’s my first experience as a manger in the play-offs and I’m really looking forward to it, exposing myself to that and also see how the players deal with it as well.”

Harlow Town play on an artificial playing surface – but Russell is relishing playing their trademark passing game on it.

“No respect to the Bromley groundsman but the pitch at the moment at Bromley isn’t great, it’s a bit dusty and bobbly so if I had a choice between the two grounds I’d rather play it at Harlow,” said Russell.

“I think it will help us more when we’re passing the ball so it doesn’t bother me at all.

“I don’t think you can use that (playing on a 3G pitch) as an excuse if you don’t win the game. We train on a 3G pitch anyway, we’re training tonight on a 3G pitch so it’s nothing new so there will be no surprises for us.

“I’m happy with the surface especially this time of the year when you play on a pitch with a bit of baldness and no grass and it becomes rock hard and bounces around like a grenade.

“It should suit us. We shall have no excuses. It’s something I’ve never done as a manager and I go into it with an open mind and we’ll see how we deal with it.”

If Cray Wanderers get past Harlow Town, then they will play either runners-up Thurrock or fifth-placed AFC Hornchurch in Sunday’s Final.

The club that have finished highest in the league will have home advantage for Sunday’s winner-takes-all showdown.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t looked beyond that,” said Russell, when asked about being in Sunday’s Final.

“We’ll be sending someone to Thurrock to watch that on Wednesday just in case we’re lucky enough to get through and be ready. We’ll do our homework and work on a game plan in training but the boys are in and we’ve got some ideas on how we’re going to go about it and we’ll work on a game plan tonight and see if we can implement it on Wednesday.

When asked what promotion would mean to him personally, Russell replied: “If I’m honest I know I’m a nightmare, it’s not something I’ve thought about. I just concentrate on the here and now.  I don’t think you can think about it until it happens. You can get too emotional about thinking about finals or even promotion.

“My main focus is on Harlow Town on how they set-up and how we’re going to counter that and see how we’re going to win the game and after that, If I’m over that hurdle the next team will be put in front of me and I’ll sit down and work out how we’re going to beat them.

“After that you hand me a trophy. Whenever I get handed a trophy I jump about and celebrate and that’s exactly how I’m going to do it.

“Tonight there will be no talk about if we win Wednesday what we’re going to do after that? The boys won’t know about schedules for training. I want all their focus on Wednesday and all they think about is Wednesday and once Wednesday’s out the way you’re either wrapping the season up and organising when you’re going to sit down and talk to them about next season or the next  training session coming up (to plan for Sunday’s Final).”

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

Harlow Town  v  Cray Wanderers
Ryman League Division One North Play-Off Semi-Final
Wednesday 27^th April 2016
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Harlow Arena, Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex CM19 5BE