Jenkins set for squad showdown talks

Wednesday 10th June 2009

CRAY WANDERERS’ promotion winning squad can expect a telephone call from manager Ian Jenkins by the weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.

Long-serving Jenkins, who guided the Hayes Lane based club into the Ryman Premier League via the lottery of the Ryman League Division One South play-off’s last season, has told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he has been number crunching this summer.

“I’ve got to speak to some players from now and over the weekend,” he said.

“I haven’t spoken to them, that’s the thing. I don’t want to put their noses out of joint.”

When asked about keeping last season’s promotion winning squad, Jenkins replied, “I want them all, I want to retain the lot of them, there’s no-one I’m releasing.

“I’ve got to talk about a little bit of finance, that’s all mate, nothing major. I haven’t spoken to them, I’ve been doing a few things up until this point.”

The club’s management team have been asked by club chairman Gary Hillman to go out and collect as much sponsorship money as possible to go towards a reduced playing budget.

“I’m trying to raise a bit more money for the club to generate more money for players,” said Jenkins. “That’s my priority at the minute so I can go to them, have a good chat and don’t embarrass them a little bit as the money has been cut slightly.

“A lot of club’s are struggling so ours is no different to anyone else.”

Jenkins admitted that challenge has prevented him speaking to players ahead of their exciting season ahead - one that will see the Wands playing in the highest ever level in their lengthy history.

He said: “I haven’t spoken to anyone, I’ve been after a few, people have rung me more than anything. I haven’t really put myself out.”

But the club have confirmed that NONE of last season's promotion winning squad have re-signed - but Jenkins has made his first summer signing - midfielder Rob Quinn, 33, who was released by Blue Square South side Welling United last month.

Sidcup-born Quinn, who stands at six foot tall, arrives at Hayes Lane with an excellent career behind him, having played for Crystal Palace, Brentford (£40,000), Oxford United (£75,000), Bristol Rovers, Stevenage Borough and Ebbsfleet United.

“He rang me up!” revealed Jenkins. “I spoke to Dackky (Jimmy Dack) about him, the old Welling assistant, and he said what a player he is and he will bring a lot to our club.

“I’ve spoken to him (Quinn), he’s been brilliant and he wants to come and play for us and that’s why I want players like that.

“I’ve had that over the years, players who want to play for the club, me and Joe (Francis) - that’s how our club works.

“Getting promoted does help as well, but it’s a good reputation to have. Players want to play for the club, they see we’re an up and coming club and with a new ground coming up in a few years time players like to be part of that as well.

Jenkins added: “He can play centre half, centre midfield. He’s got the experience, he’s fit for his age, he’s as fit as anything.

“He’s going to bring experience and it’s easier for a manager when you have that sort of person on the pitch, like I had for Chapo (Danny Chapman), Ozzie (Simon Osborn) and Knighty (Glen Knight) last year.

“All the senior players I had last year are easier to manage.”

Jenkins is hopeful that these three players - as well as Jamie Kempster - and last season's promotion winning squad can be fitted into his reduced playing budget.

“I spoke to Ozzie when we had an open top bus a few weeks ago, that went well, and I spoke to all the players that was on that and they were keen to sign again,” revealed the boss.

“But they want to sit down financially, they want to get the best deals they can, which is understandable in this current economic climate.

“It’s going to be hard to keep them on the money they had last year. I had a squad of eighteen at the end of last season and I want to add to that and have a squad of 21.”

So you can forgive the long-serving manager to being on his mobile speaking to potential sponsors, especially when you consider that he is eager to guide the club to even more glory next season.

“You only have to look at my squad mate and most of them have played at this level and the level above,” he said.

“I don’t think I really have to bring players in but I’m going to!

“I don’t want to go in the league and sit still. I think when you get promoted you have to bring in three or four players anyway just to fresh it up a little bit.

“The players I’ve got will hold their own in that division anyway. I want to push a little higher than holding our own and try and get into the play-off’s if we can and try and push again to try and get promoted next year.

“Why say you want to consolidate? At the end of the day when you say that, you’re telling the players that’s what you’re going to do.

“Players have got ambitions, managers have got ambitions. When you go into a league, it doesn’t matter how poor a side you are, you can still be looking to try and finish as high as you can.

“The highest we can finish will probably be play-off’s and promotion.”

The club are keen for more members to join “The 100 Club,” especially as the money raising scheme brings the club roughly £100 per month - which doesn't go far at Ryman Premier League level.

Supporters can join by visiting www.craywands.co.uk for more details.