Wands install Bromley duo

Keith Bird was installed as the new manager of Ryman Premier Cray Wanderers on Monday.

Bird, who took over as Bromley's reserve team manager in June 2012, was appointed 48 hours after the departure of veteran manager Ian Jenkins. The former Bromley reserve team boss will be assisted by Mike Paye, his number two at Hayes Lane and a former Wanderers player.

The club's new management team, pictured when they took their Bromley posts, have worked together for the last eight years and enjoyed considerable success with the Lillywhites' reserves and U18s. After meeting up with the Wands squad the duo are now plotting how to turn around Cray’s fortunes.

Ironically, they take charge for the first time on Wednesday night in the Kent Senior Cup against their former employers in a second round tie. They'll be joined in Cray's dugout by Michael McDonald who will double up as a coach and physio.

Cray Wanderers Chairman Gary Hillman said: "I was very impressed with how Keith and Mike have performed in their management roles at Bromley – particularly the professionalism they’ve displayed and the strong organisational skills they have demonstrated. They are born winners.

"I see this appointment as a three to five year project. Although it's going to be very hard at the beginning with the limited resources and league position they have inherited, I believe they will turn it around allowing the club to kick on."

Jenkins, the second longest serving manager in the Ryman League after Wealdstone’s Gordon Bartlett, paid the price for a terrible start to the season that has seen the rock-bottom Wands record only a single win and a draw from 11 league outings and also exit the FA Cup.

The 40-year-old had been at the Wands for 23 years, including 14 as manager after taking over in 1999. During his tenure he led the Kent outfit to two promotions and numerous cup successes. Hillman called Jenkins his ‘best mate’ but said results had left him with no option with the club in need of a lift on and off the pitch.

He said: "To say that’s it's been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life is a bit of an under-statement. He is the most passionate man I know about the club and my best mate. I still believe he's the best manager in the Ryman Premier League but he has become a victim of the recent circumstances which were out of his control.

"Ever since London Borough of Bromley refused our planning application for our new ground there has been an atmosphere of doom and gloom around the club. This has resulted in sponsors pulling out, staff leaving, gates and income down and left Jenko with no playing budget. Things have just gone from bad to worst over the last couple of weeks and really couldn’t see us getting out of this mess unless something changed."

Hillman’s hopes have been boosted by news that local politicians are starting to get on board to back plans to bring them home from exile in Bromley. The Orpington Labour Party is planning to leaflet the area in support and have also pledged to back the Wands' dream in upcoming local elections after the local authority rejected their latest stadium application.

The Chairman added: "We will be putting in another planning application soon. Hopefully the planning committee will see the benefits to the Cray community and to its own finances this development will bring. The Orpington Labour party support our efforts to return home and I hope Bromley Council will as well.

"It’s vital that the atmosphere at the club changes and we get back to winning ways. Hopefully our new management team will be the catalyst for this to happen. And I hope the supporters will give Keith and Mike all the support they can."