Russell is ready to work his magic at the Wands

By David Watters

Cray Wanderers

Former VCD Athletic manager Tony Russell has been named as the successor to Tommy Warrilow at Ryman North Cray Wanderers.

Russell, pictured, was unveiled by the Wands on Wednesday after stepping down at the Vickers at the weekend, a week after winning his last six games in charge at Oakside to preserve the club's top flight status.

A former Wands defender, the 36-year-old took the Vickers from the Kent League to the Ryman League's top flight in under two years and last season was crowned as Macron's Ryman North Manager of the Season.

In a statement announcing the appointment of Russell and Ray Powell, his number two at VCD Athletic, officials said they believed Russell's non-compromising attitude towards instilling confidence in his teams would deliver success with disciplined and quality football.

Russell, who kicked off his managerial career at Erith before becoming a player coach at Thamesmead Town, is looking forward to working the magic again that brought instant success at the Vickers.

He said: "I respect Cray's historical heritage [as the oldest club in London and the second oldest in the world] but I feel I am at the beginning of ‘something special’ for Cray's future without any limitation on where the club can progress to."

Former Tonbridge Angels boss Warrilow was appointed in January and left Hayes Lane with his assistant Alex O’Brien on the final day of the campaign after fulfilling his remit of keeping the Wands in the Ryman League, the pair guiding their side to a record ten wins on the spin to finish in sixteenth-place with 52 points, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Thanking Warrilow for his efforts, Cray Wanderers chairman Gary Hillman added: “Everyone at Cray would like to thank Tommy for helping the club out. We wish him all the best in his next managerial role.”

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