Politicians backing exiles return

Cray Wanderers are getting their local politicians on board to back plans to bring the Ryman Premier outfit back home from exile in Bromley.

But unless plans are in place by the end of the current season, the oldest football club in London and the second oldest in the world, is warning that it could cease to exist.

Bromley Council are threatening to shatter their dream by refusing to allow the club to develop a patch of waste ground they need but Wands officials have now enlisted the support of the Orpington Labour Party.

They're planning to leaflet the area in the autumn to alert the local community to the benefits a new stadium in Sandy Lane would bring to a neglected part of the borough and have also pledged to support the Wands' dream in upcoming local elections.

Cray Wanderers Chairman Gary Hillman says that for years they've have been the poor relation to Orpington who in turn are the poor relation of Bromley. He believes the development he's proposing would also go some way to redressing the balance.

Hillman said: "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.

"It makes absolute sense for the people living and working in the Cray's and for the council to support these plans. 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."

Orpington Labour Party spokesman Tim Fisher 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 added: "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."