Cray Valley mutually agree to part company with Steve McKimm to give them the best possible chance of Isthmian League Premier Division survival

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) have parted company with manager Steve McKimm by mutual agreement.

The Millers currently sit in the bottom four in the Isthmian League Premier Division table, having picked up 27 points (seven wins, six draws and 16 defeats) from their 29 games.

Cray Valley went down to a 3-1 defeat away to third-placed Brentwood Town at the weekend, extending their winless run to eight games and have 13 League games remaining.

The Millers are level on points with the side immediately above them in the eighth-tier table, Wingate & Finchley, who have three games in hand.

Cray Valley, Canvey Island (21 points from 27 games), Welling United (21 points from 27 games) and Potters Bar Town (20 points from 28 games) are all in the drop zone and have all changed their managers during their campaigns.

“Steve joined the Millers in the summer of 2023 and will be forever remembered for his role in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history,” said a club statement.

“Alongside his assistant manager Barry Moore and first-team coach Mark Watson, the Millers went all the way to the FA Cup First Round in their first campaign in charge. As part of that run, Cray Valley secured a 1-1 draw away at Charlton Athletic, which will go down as one of the greatest results in the club's history.

“That season would also see us crowned Isthmian League South East Division champions and secure promotion to Step Three for the first time in our history.

“Our first season in the Isthmian League Premier Division was another year to remember, finishing fourth and reaching the play-offs, before losing out to Dartford in dramatic circumstances.

“This season, results unfortunately have not been at the same level and it has been agreed that it is the right time to make a change, to give us the best possible chance of survival in the Isthmian Premier Division.

“We want to thank Steve, Barry and Mark - as well as physio Sam Codling - for their hard work over the past three years and we wish them the best of success in the future.”

McKimm took charge of 109 League games, where the former Tonbridge Angels and Carshalton Athletic manager claimed 59 League wins, 25 League draws and 25 League defeats during his time at the Eltham-based club.

The Middle Park Avenue club has not stated whom will be charge for Saturday’s must-win six-pointer away to fellow strugglers Canvey Island, although former manager Kevin Watson's lost his job as Sheppey United's manager in the division below last night.

Visit Cray Valley’s website: www.crayvalleypmfc.com