CREDIT CRUNCH: Support the club or risk losing a couple of players, warns Cray chairman

CRAY WANDERERS may follow in the same footsteps as fellow Kent club Tonbridge Angels, if they’re knocked out of the FA Trophy within the next two weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels are expected to offload “one maybe two” players this week, having been knocked out of both the FA Cup and FA Carlsberg Trophy at the first hurdle this season.

Now, Cray Wanderers chairman, Mr Gary Hillman, who owns his own building firm and bankrolls the Ryman League Division One South highfliers, has urged supporters to back an imitative or risk losing a couple of players.

The club have re-introduced the 100 Club, a money raising scheme that was popular with Wands supporters in the 1970s.

“As everyone knows, the well documented credit crunch is upon us and Cray Wanderers Football Club needs to raise funds,” Mr Hillman told www.craywands.co.uk.

“We don’t have our own bar, so the 100 Club will be our bar takings.”

Cray Wanderers currently groundshare at Bromley’s Hayes Lane Stadium. However, although the Wands have use of Bromley’s clubhouse on match days, all the revenue received over the bar goes directly into the landlords’ coffers.

Attendances at their home games are down 5.8% on last season, with an average of 157, so it’s vital for the club to find other methods of bridging the gap.

“Membership of the 100 Club costs just £8 per month per number,” explained Mr Hillman. “And this equates to just £1.85 per week.

“As supporters can see, it’s just like buying a beer every week, but it’s healthier and money can be won as well.”

The 100 Club has been in pre-launch since September 2008 and is set to properly launch on 1 November 2008 when the first standing order payments are due to be made.

“Everyone needs to get on board right now, and it really is important to the future of Cray Wanderers,” warned the chairman.

“We will be doubling up the prize money for the November and December draws by not attributing anything towards the football club or admin during those months. This will hopefully encourage more people to sign up.”

With the club hosting Tilbury tonight in their FA Carlsberg Trophy first qualifying round replay, Mr Hillman knows its vital to win - and knock out Ryman Premier League club Horsham in the next round at Worthing on the first day of November.

The Hornets are in the same boat as Cray Wanderers, currently groundsharing Worthing’s Woodside Road ground, having been evicted from their home at the end of last season.

“If we don’t get a good run in the FA Trophy and we don’t get at least 100 members into the 100 Club by Christmas then I really believe that we may be in danger of losing a couple off players,” Mr Hillman warned.

But the Wands can look forward to playing the likes of Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman Premier League next season if people sign up to the 100 Club.

“If we do have a good run in the Trophy and get the members, we can really push hard for the title,” added the chairman.

For full details on how you can join the 100 Club, visit www.craywands.co.uk