Cray Wanderers 2025-26 Awards Presentation Winners
On Saturday 18th April following the Welling United game, the Cray Wanderers Awards Presentations took place for the 2025-26 season.
Please see here the winners:
Supporters Player of the Year – Frankie Morgan
Congratulations to Frankie Morgan on joining the pantheon of greats as Supporters Player of the year.
Left back Frankie came through the Charlton youth system and came to Cray as a youth player and a star performer of the U18s side under Mark Dacey who reached the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup in 2018-19.
He later moved on to Corinthian, Sheppey United and Folkestone Invicta.
Frankie picked up an early injury this season but returned in November and his delivery from crosses has been outstanding has made 30 appearances scoring once.
Congratulations Frankie.
Imagery – Natalie Stribbling – Photos – Steve Cullum.
Management Player of the Year – Frankie Raymond
Congratulations to Frankie Raymond on winning the Management Player of the Year.
Frankie has had a great season and was close to winning the Supporters Player of the Year.
Vice captain Frankie joined Cray in the summer of 2023 and has made 129 appearances, scoring 13 goals and an inspirational figure in midfield with a great engine and rarely substituted.
The anchor of the team Frankie is hugely experienced with stints at Dagenham & Redbridge, Bromley, Boreham Wood and Dulwich Hamlet and gives everything out on the pitch.
Imagery – Natalie Stribbling, photos Steve Cullum.
Players Player of the Year & Golden Boot – Alex Hernandez
Congratulations to Alex Hernandez on winning two awards at the presentation evening scooping the Players Player of the Year and the Golden Boot with one match to play.
Alex joined Cray from Tilbury in the summer where he netted 21 in 38 and despite missing the opening five games made an impact straight away. A last gasp winner vs Hashtag United completing a comeback from 1-3 down was one of the season’s highlights.
Strong and determined despite a brief injury has a decent goal per game record. His prowess from free kicks with three direct strikes vs Cray Valley, Brentwood and Ramgate were outstanding and with a game to go is one behind Folkestone’s Jake Hutchinson for league top scorer with twenty goals.
Congratulations Alex and thanks for an outstanding season.
Imagery Natalie Stribbling and photos Steve Cullum.
Club Man of the Year – Mark Hunt
“I just wanted to thank Cray Wanderers for the award of Clubman of the Year. I was so humbled to receive the award and was a real surprise.
<span;>The last six months have been difficult with my mum’s care taking precedence but have tried especially remotely from home to do what I can as I have had to miss a handful of away games.
<span;>Last summer I was working as a steward at a large number of events and was looking to continue on and was contemplating calling it a day at Cray after 12 years. However, all the time I was working my mum’s health wasn’t great and the long shifts and late hours would prove difficult compared to the just down the road, Flamingo Park. Helped by my wonderful family I can juggle care on matchdays so I will carry on as normal next season but may have to review certain games if too far away. I am keen if possible to work towards the World Cup Fan Zones remotely or a pop in during the day for previews and help with updates.
<span;>The job I do and satisfaction gained would not be the same without the support of those around me on matchdays. Martin Hodson is supremely efficient and links everything together. Phil Babbs for a number of years has been in charge of our great match programme and easy to work with in sending all the info he needs. John McArthur for the PA work and being part of the match time experience along with my trusted sidekicks Coventry Colin Heys for his extra pair of eyes and Derek Pullman who I miss for his expert analysis.
<span;>Then there is the new generation of social media and visual experts. Without the snapper skills of Steve Cullum and Natalie Stribbling I wouldn’t have the imagery to accompany my reports and the quality they produce is incredible. Then there is Luca on Radio Wands commentary who possibly is the signing of the season and his work was a godsend in January, February and March when I had to miss games.
<span;>This is followed by the upper hierarchy of Gary Hillman without whom we wouldn’t have a club, Michael Paye, and Amanda, Claire and all the Flamingo Park staff who help us live the dream every other week for the home games at our home ground. All the years we were at Hayes Lane and especially when we knew we would be coming home we used to imagine what it would be like and now we know I love it and the impact on the wider community. Also the support from Sam Wright during his tenure as CEO was vital too. A special message too for the legend that is Bill Lappage.
<span;>Also the trust in the committee for wanting me to join back in 2014 and many of those are sadly no longer with us like Peter, Dave and Jeanne Jackson, Kerry Phillips and Barry Lambert but hopefully are looking down on us and spurring us on from above.
<span;>We wouldn’t have a team to watch without management and players and I’ve been lucky to have seen some great football and reported on some special games (and not so special, you have to take the rough with the smooth) and been able to collect the thoughts of some great managers and gentlemen in Tony, Danny, Grant, Smudge and now the legend that is Tosh.
<span;>Finally, the fans, the Cray Massive for whom I wanted to see grow from the time we played at Thamesmead in the FA Trophy in front of a crowd of 40 and where I could identify and name every one of our handful of fans. Now, we are growing our fan base and are the best supporters in the world bar none. We do need more as Tosh said on Saturday, the style football we play deserves a bigger audience so please spread the word, bring a friend to a game, get hooked like I once did and it will be a slippery slope from there as you will never love the love for the Wands.
<span;>Thank you all, hope to see you at Burgess Hill for the final game and again, same place next season.
