Cray Wanderers F.C.
- Not to be confused with Bray Wanderers A.F.C..
 |
|||
| Full name | Cray Wanderers Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Wands | ||
| Founded | 1860[1] | ||
| Ground | Courage Stadium, Bromley (Capacity: 6,000 (3,000 seated)) |
||
| Chairman | Gary Hillman | ||
| Manager | Ian Jenkins | ||
| League | Isthmian League Premier Division | ||
| 2010–11 | Isthmian League Premier Division, 9th | ||
|
|||
Cray Wanderers F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in Bromley, London. It is one of the oldest football clubs in the world. The club was established in 1860 in the twin villages of St. Mary Cray and St Paul's Cray, near Orpington, then in the county of Kent.
They currently play their home matches at Bromley's Hayes Lane ground (capacity 5,000). Cray Wanderers were Kent League champions four times, and have reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup once in their history. They are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division after beating Metropolitan Police 1-0 on 2 May 2009.
Contents |
[edit] History
 |
This article or section may be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective. (August 2009) |
Cray Wanderers F.C. was formed in 1860 by workers building a railway from London to the Kent coast.[1] In 1894 they joined the first incarnation of the Kent League, where they were champions in 1901-02. At this time the club was operating on a full-time professional basis and also acted as a feeder club to Woolwich Arsenal. After World War I the team switched to the London League but returned to the Kent League in 1934.
In 1937 Wanderers lost the use of their Fordcroft ground in St. Mary Cray and were forced to drop into amateur leagues such as the Kent Amateur League whilst using various temporary grounds. They finally regained their senior status, and also rejoined the London League, in 1951, finding a new home at Grassmeade three years later.
Cray were London League champions in 1956-57 and 1957–58, and in 1959 became founder members of the Aetolian League, where they were champions in 1962-63. Shortly after this the Aetolian League merged with the London League to form the Greater London League, where Cray played until they moved to the Metropolitan League in 1966. This league merged with the Greater London League in 1971 to form the Metropolitan-London League, which in turn merged with the Spartan League to form the London Spartan League in 1975.
Cray were London Spartan League champions in 1976-77 and again the following season, after which they joined the reformed Kent League, where they were to remain until 2004. They were league champions in 1980-81 but then endured a long barren spell until they won the title again in 2002-03 and again in 2003-04, the second title win earning them a place in the Isthmian League, where they play to this day.
In the 2007-08 season Cray reached the play-off final after finishing 3rd in the table, but lost to Tooting & Mitcham United 1–0 at Imperial Fields. They also reached the Kent Senior Cup final, played at Hayes Lane on July 26, where they lost to Ebbsfleet United 4-0.[2] Cray again reached the play-off final the following year, in which they beat Metropolitan Police 1–0 and were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Cray Wanderers celebrated their 150th anniversary during the summer of 2010, including friendlies against the other two oldest clubs in the world, Sheffield and Hallam, in a three-team tournament.
[edit] Academy
The Cray Wanderers Academy, based at Coopers Technology College, Chislehurst, was established in January 2009 by representatives of the club (Gary Hillman and Darren Anslow) and school (Oliver Hobbs and Shirley Puxty).
It provides the opportunity of full time training and the prospect of a future sporting career, whilst also offering an educational route.
The Academy is for 16-18 year olds and competed in the Isthmian Youth League from the 2009-10 season, finishing 2nd.
In its first season it already showed signs of success, with youngster George Porter breaking into the senior first team in the Academy's first season, impressing to the extent that he was signed by professional club Leyton Orient at the end of the season. Several other players have made first team appearances during the first season.
[edit] Club honours
- Kent League: 1901-02, 1980–81, 2002–03, 2003–04
- Runners Up: 1979-80, 1990–91
- London League: 1956-57, 1957–58
- Runners Up: 1953-54, 1954–55
- Aetolian League: 1962-63
- London Spartan League: 1976-77, 1977–78
- Isthmian League Division One South: Runners Up, 2008-09
- Play-off Winners: 2008-09
- Best league performance: 9th in Isthmian League Premier Division, 2010–11
- Best FA Cup performance: 4th qualifying round, 2005–06
- Best FA Trophy performance: 2nd round, 2004–05
- Best FA Vase performance: Quarter-finals, 1979–80, 2003–04[3]
- Best Kent Senior Cup performance: Final, 1900–01, 2007–08
[edit] Club records
- Record attendance: 2160 vs Leytonstone (FA Amateur Cup, 1969)
- Biggest Win: 15-0 vs Sevenoaks, 1894–95
- Biggest Defeat: 1-11 vs Bromley, 1920–21
- Biggest Isthmian League Win: 8-1 vs Corinthian-Casuals, 2008–09
- Biggest Isthmian League Defeat: 0-5 vs Metropolitan Police, 19 August 2008
[edit] Player records
- Most appearances: John Dorey, 500 (1961–72)
- Most goals: Ken Collishaw, 274 (1954–65)
- Most yellow cards in one season: Chris Saunders, 13 (2010–11)
[edit] Grounds
Cray started playing football at Star Lane, now a cemetery. After playing at numerous other grounds, Cray played at Grassmeade from 1954 to 1973, after which they moved to Oxford Road. Unfortunately for the club, in 1998 the Kent League ruled that clubs must have floodlighting. As Cray were unable to have lights installed, they were forced to move out and share the Hayes Lane ground of Bromley, although their reserve and youth teams still play at the former ground.
In the summer of 2008, Cray announced plans to move to a new stadium near Orpington by 2014.[4][5] Official plans published on the club's official website on 18 February 2009 confirmed that the new ground at Sandy Lane would be open by 2014, for the 2014-15 season, subject to planning consent.[6] The stadium, which is proposed to be part of a new "Sports Village-like complex" is set to be eco-friendly and be built to an initial Conference standard.
[edit] Current squad
confirmed squad on official website[7] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
[edit] Club staff
According to website[8]
[edit] First team
|
[edit] League history
-
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| Season | League contested | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points | Final league position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Isthmian League Premier Division |
42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 72 | 46 | 69 | 9th of 22 |
| 2009-10 | Isthmian League Premier Division |
42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 54 | 70 | 51 | 15th of 22 |
| 2008-09 | Isthmian League Division One South |
42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 87 | 54 | 79 | 2nd of 22 Promoted |
| 2007-08 | Isthmian League Division One South |
42 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 87 | 42 | 86 | 3rd of 22 |
| 2006-07 | Isthmian League Division One South |
42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 67 | 69 | 54 | 12th of 22 |
| 2005-06 | Isthmian League Division One |
44 | 20 | 8 | 16 | 80 | 74 | 68 | 11th of 23 |
| 2004-05 | Isthmian League Division One |
42 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 95 | 54 | 73 | 6th of 22 |
| 2003-04 | Kent League | 32 | 22 | 4 | 6 | 88 | 35 | 70 | 1st of 17 Promoted |
| 2002-03 | Kent League | 29 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 68 | 23 | 62 | 1st of 16 |
| 2001-02 | Kent League | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 56 | 44 | 51 | 5th of 16 |
| 2000-01 | Kent League | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 39 | 46 | 35 | 12th of 17 |
| 1999-00 | Kent League | 34 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 42 | 80 | 33 | 13th of 18 |
| 1998-99 | Kent League | 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 53 | 66 | 35 | 14th of 19 |
[edit] Managerial history
League Only
| Dates | Name | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1860–1964 | Unknown | |||||
| 1964–1966 | Arthur Baron | |||||
| 1967–1969 | Norman Golding | |||||
| 1969–1971 | Jack Payne | |||||
| 1972 | Jim Paris | |||||
| 1972–1975 | Johnny Biddle | |||||
| 1975–1978 | Jimmy Wakeling | |||||
| 1978 | Bobby Sustins | |||||
| 1978–1979 | Albert Dorey | |||||
| 1979–1981 | Harry Richardson | |||||
| 1981–1986 | Alan Payne | |||||
| 1986–1991 | Peter Gaydon | |||||
| 1991–1994 | Eddie Davies | |||||
| 1994–1996 | Alan Whitehead | |||||
| 1996–1997 | Glen Cooper | |||||
| 1997–1998 | John Roseman | |||||
| 1998–1999 | Ian Jenkins | 36 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 22.22 |
| 1999 | Fabio Rossi | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 14.29 |
| 1999–present | Ian Jenkins | 451 | 214 | 95 | 142 | 47.45 |
As of June 18, 2011
[edit] Notable former players
 |
This list of "famous" or "notable" sporting persons has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help to define clear inclusion criteria and edit the list to contain only subjects that fit that criteria. (February 2012) |
Moses Ademola – Former youth player, went on to play for Croydon Athletic before going to Brentford along with another former Wand, Sam Wood. Had a trial with Charlton Athletic and appeared on Football Icon 2.
Shawn Beveney – Guyana international, had 2 unsuccessful spells at the club in 2008 and 2009.- Danny Chapman – Played for Cray for 2 years including their promotion season to the Isthmian Premier. Chapman played professional for Millwall and Leyton Orient.
- Joe Dolan – Played for Millwall.
- John Faulkner – Played for Cray before joining Sutton United, where he was spotted by Leeds United. Played 4 games in total before joining Luton Town.
Andy Martin – Former Crystal Palace and Hereford United striker had a spell at club in 2007.- Thomas Moncur – Played in The Football League with Bradford, Wycombe Wanderers and Chesterfield.
- Simon Osborn – Played in The Football League with Crystal Palace, Reading, Q.P.R, Wolves, Tranmere Rovers, Port Vale, Gillingham, Walsall and Hereford.
- George Porter – Progressed from the academy to the first team. Went on to join Leyton Orient.
Dave Quirke – Played for Cray in the early 1980s. Most notably at Gillingham, playing 230 games.- Rob Quinn – Played in The Football League with Crystal Palace, Brentford, Oxford United and Bristol Rovers.
- Jim Sanders – FA Cup Winner with West Bromwich Albion. Started career at Cray before joining Charlton Athletic, then most notably West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City.
- Tommy Wilcox – Had spell at club in the early 20th century, also played for clubs such as Woolwich Arsenal and Manchester United.
- Sam Wood – Youth product who left for landlords Bromley before making the step up to The Football League with Brentford. Won several individual awards in first season, including Player of the Year.
- Adrian Paul - Former player turned actor, famous for role as Duncan MacLeod in Highlander[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Official website
- ^ "Match Report: Cray Wanderers 0 Ebbsfleet United 4". Official Website. http://www.craywands.co.uk/cray0ebbsfleet4.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-20.[dead link]
- ^ Cray Wanderers at the Football Club History Database
- ^ "Chairman has grounds for optimism ahead of play-off’s". Kentishfootball. 2008-04-28. http://www.kentishfootball.co.uk/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3051&Itemid=38. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Jenkins faces Cup Final selection dilemma". Kentishfootball. 2008-07-13. http://kentishfootball.co.uk/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3288&Itemid=38. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Cray Stop Wandering After 40 Years!". Official Website. 2009-02-18. http://www.craywands.co.uk/component/content/article/102-nowander. Retrieved 2009-02-18.[dead link]
- ^ "Club Squad". Official Website. http://www.craywands.co.uk/profiles.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Behind The Scenes". Official Website. http://www.craywands.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=56. Retrieved 2008-09-19.[dead link]
[edit] External links
- [1] - Cray Wanderers Official Website.
- Waiting for the 229 - Club message board.
