Pitching In Isthmian Supporters Predictions 22-23: Cray Wanderers

We're asking fans from each of our clubs to answer a series of questions about the past, present and future- and to predict the final league table for 22-23. They call him the Wanderer, but his name isn’t Dion, it’s Mark.

1. Thinking about last season, what were your highlights?
A bit difficult as it was a season of struggle. Winning the first two games against Lewes and Hornchurch was great (and unexpected) but proved a bit of a false dawn through the season. We did beat Ebbsfleet United in the FA Trophy on penalties where the players showed a lot of composure to score all five. The two games with Enfield Town which finished 7-7 on aggregate were cracking games. The 5-4 win at home to Carshalton showed a resilience to the side which was perhaps lacking earlier in the season. The return of Sam Wood after 17 years away at Potters Bar was a great moment for the supporters and helped us overturn a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2. The 4-1 win vs East Thurrock on 19th April would prove pivotal in Cray Wanderers staying up and the raw emotion at the end of the game was remarkable. The final whistle at Bishop's Stortford and the realisation that we were safe but was remarkably too close for comfort.

2. Moving on to your current squad- which players do you think will make a big impact during the 2022-23?

I'm looking forward to seeing Danny Bassett who has signed from Carshalton and scored a hat-trick against us last season. Another striker, Tom Derry I saw play for Welling United last season and was impressed on that occasion. Also Nyren "The Prince of Peckham" adds experience and plenty of games under his belt. I've heard good things about Sinn'Kaye Christie too who plays at the back. Goalkeeping was a real problem last season for us and we have two good keepers, Jacob Russell and Shaun Rowley in the squad. A blast from the past for us as we have Alex Bentley back who was our player of the year in the 2010-11 season.

3. Realistically, how do you think you’ll do this season?

We have an experienced manager and a good thinker in Neil Smith and will respect the competition in the Isthmian Premier and know it is a tough league to get out of. I think it is fair to say Worthing thoroughly deserved promotion last season but does leave it more up for grabs this year. We really do not want to be scrapping around like last season in 19th place and we have a good enough squad if they remain injury free to see a vast improvement. I hope I am proved wrong but I go 7th and we can really kick on in 2023-24.

4. Which matches are you most looking forward to going to- and why?

After a couple of seasons with no new teams in the league I am particularly looking forward to some trips out to grounds I really like and have been to before. Hastings United, Herne Bay, Canvey Island (although we go there on 7th January and is usually either very cold or very blowy but a ground with character). Billericay Town opening game, it has been a while since we've been there and Aveley also added to the list.

5. What is your favourite Isthmian away ground?
I particularly like Folkestone Invicta although we always seem to play them midweek. It has two great terraces behind the goals. Bishop's Stortford is a superb ground and they made us so welcome on the last day of the season when so much was at stake for us. We go there on 27th August so not very long to wait. Aveley's ground I think will impress a lot of supporters around the league this season. We played there in the FA Trophy against Grays in 2017 but haven't played Aveley there and is a terrific ground. Hastings United is an old school cracker of a ground and you can make a good day of it. To be fair to all the grounds in the league they all have their own distinct character, all are welcoming and considering are often run by volunteers on a match day very polite and courteous. This may not be the case further up the league pyramid.

6. Who do you consider your biggest rivals- and why?

A bit tricky as we had football rivals in our Kent League days like Crockenhill, Slade Green, Thamesmead, VCD Athletic and so forth but mostly friendly and more football competition than anything else.

Last season was very awkward as we kicked off the season at home to Lewes, who were under our previous management team and had a number of ex-players, while we had a 95% new team. We were no longer supporting our ex players where before there was hero worship. We won the game but if felt a bit odd and when we played down there in January; I didn't feel totally comfortable, not helped by the fact they beat us quite comfortably. I hope and think things will be a bit different and we do move on a bit. We still want to beat them but to me anyway no more than other club in the league.

7. What advice would you give to any away supporter visiting you for the first time?

You will be impressed with the facilities at Hayes Lane, which is an established National League ground. I doubt you will find a friendlier fan base and all opposition teams are welcomed with open arms. Our match day staff are courteous and friendly, and we also have the absolute legend that is John McArthur on PA and music. If he is not there then I step in and provide music themed to the club we are playing that day/night- so either way you will be treated as fans there to enjoy the event and the facilities rather than just a commodity or customer.

8. Who is your favourite player of all time (for your club)- and why?

Probably Mark Willy who was Cray Wanderers captain and centre-half when I first started watching the club in the 2009-10 season. Strong and fearless and a threat at set-pieces but sadly had to retire before the start of the 2013-14 season and I don't think we ever recovered.

Grant Basey is the best player I have ever seen play for Cray between 2015-17, you could tell he had been a pro by the way he pinged the ball to an team-mate from 60 yards. He was our interim manager for a spell last season and was great to catch his insights into the game.

9. Who do you predict will finish in the top five this season?

Folkestone Invicta, Bishops Stortford, Carshalton Athletic, Hornchurch, Horsham

Thanks Mark- right, who's next? If you'd like to represent your club, email Ian at townsendaround@gmail.com and he'll be in touch shortly.

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