It makes absolute sense for the people to support my plans, says chairman Gary Hillman

Monday 23rd September 2013
The Orpington Labour party is the latest supporter of Cray Wanderers plans to bring the club back to the Cray’s. 


But unless these plans are in place by the end of the current football season the oldest football club in London and the second oldest in the world could cease to exist. 
 
The sticking point has been Bromley Council’s refusal to allow the club to develop a patch of waste ground in Sandy Lane, St. Paul’s Cray.  
 
Gary Hillman, chairman of Cray Wanderers, said in a statement: "The plans I have for a new stadium in the Cray's would regenerate the area, provide jobs, give the community a sporting and social hub, and raise much needed funds for the local council without them having to spend a penny.  

He continued: "It makes absolute sense for the people living and working in the Cray's and for the council to support these plans. And I would like to thank the Orpington Labour Party for having the foresight to see the benefits these plans will bring and for supporting us in our goal to bring the club home." 
 
The Orpington Labour Party will be leafleting the area in the autumn to alert the local community to the benefit’s the club’s plans would bring to this neglected part of the borough.  

Tim Fisher, on behalf of the Orpington Labour Party, said:  "The Labour Party congratulates Cray Wanderers on their efforts and recognises the benefits they are bringing to the local area. Not only will a return to the Cray’s bring further benefits to the community but it has the potential to create jobs."

He continued: "In the 2014 Council elections Labour Party candidates in Cray Valley East and West will be supporting the efforts of Cray Wanderers to return to their ancestral home in the Cray’s."  

For years the Cray’s have been the poor relation to Orpington who in turn are the poor relation of Bromley. The development Mr Hillman is proposing would go some way to redressing the balance.  

The clock is ticking and unless Bromley Council can be persuaded to be more supportive of these plans, the area and the local community will be the losers.  
 
As Mr Hillman concluded: “If that were to happen it would be a terrible waste of an opportunity for everyone in the Cray’s.” 

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/craywands