If we don't go up we'll be a force next year, warns Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins

Wednesday 13th April 2011

OPTIMISTIC Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins says he hasn’t ruled out his side grabbing a play-off space - but his must win their last four games and hope results elsewhere go his way, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wands sit in eleventh place in the Ryman Premier League table with 59 points from 38 games and are eight points adrift of fifth-placed side Canvey Island.

Although most fans are contemplating a creditable mid-table finish, Jenkins hasn’t given up hope, but his side must recover from their Kent Senior Cup exit at the hands of landlords Bromley and beat second-placed Bury Town at Hayes Lane on Sunday.

“Just look at what we’ve done this season! We should be a bit higher in our league,” said Jenkins, following their 3-2 defeat to Bromley last night.

“Our league’s pretty strong from top to where we are. It’s a strong league and any team that goes from our league can consolidate in (the Blue Square Bet South) and probably be above Bromley.

“I said to my players, win three or four games, let’s go into the play-off’s and see what happens.

“I haven’t ruled it out because I think we’ve got a chance. It’s nothing to do with mathematics, we’ve got a chance! We’ve got four games, everyone has got to play each other. If we win them all, let’s see what happens. We’re good enough, as I keep saying. We’ve got a good enough squad in there.

“If we don’t get there this year, I tell you what, we’ll be a force next year. If I keep them all.”

One of the shining lights of this season has been Frenchman Laurent Hamici, who has bagged 25 goals.

The New Cross based striker has certainly enjoyed playing for the Wands and Jenkins would like to keep him, as well as his other star men.

“They’ve enjoyed the season,” said Jenkins. “If they go anywhere else I don’t think they’ll enjoy it as much as at our club. Maybe the finances might talk. They might be offered a bit more money somewhere else. If that’s the reason why they want to play somewhere else, then are they in it for the right reason? We pay the players pretty well, I think, where we are and all that.”

Speaking about Hamici’s future, the long-serving Jenkins said, “He’s had a great season, 25 goals, with four (games) to go so hopefully he’ll finish top goalscorer in the Ryman Premier. That’ll will be fantastic for him. He’ll get money for doing that and a nice little trophy.

“If any club’s come in, let’s hope there’s club’s higher than us, club’s in the Conference Premier or even League club’s come in for him.

“If he’s going to go, I don’t want to lose him to a team above. I don’t think that’ll help him at all because he’s been enjoying his football and the reason why he scores those goals - he has been with a lot of clubs - is because he enjoys it here and that’s a massive part of playing football at this level.”

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

Cray Wanderers v Bury Town

Ryman Premier League

Sunday 17th April 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF