We always go into every season with aspirations to do better, says Cray's Joe Francis

CRAY WANDERERS’ assistant manager Joe Francis insists his side will be ready for the start of their Ryman Premier League campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.



The Wands began their pre-season campaign with a win over landlords Bromley, before wins over VCD Athletic and Fisher followed, but they were held to a draw at Lordswood last Saturday, and slumped to two 2-0 defeats to Kent League sides, Holmesdale and Erith & Belvedere during this week.

They welcome a Great Britain Deaf National football team to Hayes Lane on Sunday, before ending their pre-season campaign with games against Chipstead (away, 13 August) and Crockenhill the next day.

The Great Britain Deaf National football team arrive at Hayes Lane on Sunday having finished a creditable fourth place in this year’s European Deaf Championships in Denmark, only narrowly missing out on a medal.

Francis has refused to press the panic button, insisting the team will be ready for the visit of AFC Hornchurch, when they kick-off their league campaign at Hayes Lane on Sunday, 21 August.

“We haven’t been at home for the first day of the season for years’, whether that’s a good omen or not,” said Francis.

“It’s a territory that we’re familiar with, Hayes Lane, so we’ll be ready, don’t worry about that!”

Francis wants his side to start their new league campaign the way they finished their last.

“We won six out of our last seven,” recalled Francis.  “It was very tight, we finished four points outside the play-offs, so not a bad season and with two games to go we could’ve still be in the play-offs.

“We always go into every season with aspirations to do better than the year previous, but there’s a lot of good sides in this league.

“We’re happy where we’re at and we[‘ll be well prepared.  We’ve kept all of our established players apart from losing Lol (Laurent Hamici to Carshalton Athletic), which was unfortunate.

“John Guest’s a little bit undecided, he’s got business commitments and he’s got his family to feed but Danny Young has come in and done ever so well.  He’s an established centre half at this level as well and him and Mark (Willy), I think, will be a good pairing.”

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed the admission prices for Sunday’s  game:  £7 (adults), £3 (concessions, OAP’s and card-carrying students).  Under 16’s who are accompanied by a paying adult, can watch the match for FREE.  Season Tickets are not valid.

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

Cray Wanderers  v  Great Britain Deaf
Pre-Season Friendly
Sunday 7^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF