PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SPECIAL: We’re ready for promotion, says Cray chairman

Monday 27th April 2009

CRAY WANDERERS chairman Gary Hillman insists the club must take advantage of facing the prospect of staging both Ryman One South play-off matches at Hayes Lane, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ian Jenkins’ side sealed second place with a 3-0 home win over Eastbourne Town on Saturday, and will welcome Worthing to Hayes Lane in tomorrow night’s semi-final, and if successful, will host either Fleet Town or Metropolitan Police in Saturday’s final showdown.

The Kent club are desperate to make up for lost time, having suffered a gut-wrenching defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United in last season’s play-off final - the only goal of the game being scored by former Wand Paul Vines.

Despite finishing seven points behind champions Kingstonian, Mr Hillman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk , says the club must clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League.

“It’s the highest we’ve finished so everyone’s pleased at the club,” he said. “Obviously we wanted to win it, but as long as it’s the same outcome is achieved in going up that’s the main thing really.

“There’s a tough game coming up in the play-off’s, but we’re really pleased we’ve come second and we’re all fit and raring to go.

“We’re much better equipped this season than we were last season, but it’s not going to be easy. All the teams that are up there are strong teams.

“Worthing, as we know, are a big physical team; we’ve had a couple of battles with them this season already. The one away we got bullied a little bit (where we lost 4-0), but we won at home.”

Mr Hillman insists the magic Wands must take advantage of home comforts tomorrow night and send Worthing packing, a physical side that rely on bullying classier sides.

“It was a massive thing really coming second,” he said. “This year we’ve got a deeper squad in strength and Jenko’s done really well over the last two or three games, resting people at Crowborough.

“We’re going into the play-off’s with everyone 100% fit with 17-18 players raring to go.”

The side’s most influential players must stand up and be counted, starting against Worthing at Hayes Lane tomorrow.

“Jenko’s done well signing Simon Osborn and he’s experience has really helped,” said Mr Hillman.

“He’s done well, he’s a nice fella and he’s good for the team spirit, which is really high.

“The higher you go up you need your good super-star players, but at the end of the day Jenko won’t sign them and do away with the team spirit.

“Team spirit and bonding is the key for the Cray Wanderers name really.”

The long-serving Cray Wanderers chairman has issued a rallying cry for county wide support.

“More fans, more support, the better really,” he said. “All the fans out there can come along and cheer us on. The Kent League and Ryman League is finished now so a few floating supporters, the more the merrier really.”

But if the club suffer their third heartbreaking play-off defeat, Mr Hillman insists there will be no managerial change in the summer.

“You cut the geezer and he’s got amber and black blood in him,” Mr Hillman said of Jenkins. “He’s heart and soul is in it - he’s the main man really.”

He added, “You look at the Ryman League and some of the teams we’re above, some big, massive non-league teams (like) Dulwich Hamlet, Leatherhead, etc.

“For Cray Wanderers to come second in that league is unbelievable really.”

Meanwhile, the club would like to remind supporters that it’s ALL PAY on the night. Season tickets are NOT valid.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this game.

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

Cray Wanderers v Worthing

Ryman League Division One South Play-Off Semi-Final

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF