Hello and welcome to all Members of the CWFC 100 Club…. as well as those reading this, both members and non-members on our various and superb Social Media platforms.; And if you’re not a member, why not consider joining us? Win a cash prize for yourselves and help Cray Wanderers FC in obtaining much needed funds?
We find ourselves in the middle of an abyss. The season has ended but a return of “Proper Football” is on the horizon and fast approaching. If my maths are correct, I make it about 33 days before the first friendly fixture, and a home one at that, on Saturday 4th July, when we welcome a club who we have given a home to for a few years, AFC Whyteleafe. I used to enjoy my trips to Church Road. Hopefully their issues are temporary, and they can return quickly because as we know ourselves, everyone needs a “home”.
The Football season may have ended but the 100 Club continues although it has become difficult to think of suitable places to hold the draws in recent years, out of season. I was also running out of time but had this idea of doing it in a pub in Oxford, where I was spending the weekend with an old friend. We’ve been going to Oxford since 1987 (I am informed) as another friend got a scholarship for Christchurch College. Sadly no longer with us, shall we say his academic brain was not as good as his normal, everyday brain and he ended up making some bad decisions. There used to be a group of us but now there are two hardy soles to carry on the tradition. They hold an Inter-college rowing tournament, “The Oxford Eights” around this time as it is the end of their academic year. I had hoped to do it in a pub we frequent, “The Four Candles”, named after the famous Two Ronnies sketch. Ronnie also grew up in Oxford, and went to school here, although not the “University”. However, due to the event, the Champions League final and the cheap beer, it was full of noisy students and locals and was very crowded. So the safe option was to hold it in the quiet of the breakfast room in the bed and breakfast. It has been filmed but that is being withheld until I send out this email and announce the winners officially so I’d better get on with it! Already delayed due to work commitments so apologies for that.
So, on Sunday 31st May, the draw for the CWFC 100 Club for May, was made in the breakfast room of the Sportsview Guest House, (Abingdon Road, Oxford). I got my old mate David, to do the draw, as he was the only person available. Probably my oldest friend. Went to secondary school together and still meet up regularly with a few other old school friends. Probably my only friend who doesn’t like football (WHAT???) but has some strange hobbies like CD buying, motor shows and chasing celebs for “selfies”. He’s 64 for god sake and also likes electronic music and “techno” (??) and frequents a music club quite regularly. Actually, I don’t know how we have remained friends for so long but we all seem to just put up with his odd behaviour!
So the black “velvet” bag made another appearance, and with me fumbling about trying to film it on my phone, these are the results of David’s efforts.
The first ball drawn by David, was ball number 21, which belongs to the Cray Wanderers Supporters Club, run by Roy Stow, who wins the first prize of £150. Well done to the Supporters Club and congratulations on being this month’s winner.
The second ball drawn out for the second prize of £100, was number 18. This ball belongs to Ian Bond, of West Wickham, Kent. Congratulations Ian.
The third and final ball, drawn out of the “black “velvet” bag was ball number 12, which belongs to Gary Defroand of Orpington, Kent. Congratulations Gary.
Well done and many congratulations to all our lucky winners and thanks again to all members for your continued support and participation in the 100 Club. The winners have all been contacted, and I am currently waiting on confirmation of how they would like their winnings sent.
Now for the usual but necessary other business!
Sorry to bang on but Cray Wanderers are having to tighten belts next season and we are desperately in need of funds. The AFC Whyteleafe arrangement and the money it will bring in will obviously be most welcome. We would really love to get to the target 100 members, (although getting to 90 would be a start) as it would to increase the prize money I pay out to you as well as enabling me to give more back to the club. So once again, if any of your family and friends wish to join the 100 Club, or if you are reading this via another platform and would like to join, please either go to the 100 Club tab on the website where you can print off a form. You can still use the form in the matchday programme, (copies gratefully accepted if you do not want to ruin it!). Complete it and send to me at the address provided. I will contact you to select a preferable and available number. (Unfortunately there a quite a few).
CRAY WANDERERS NEEDS YOU! We’ve done really well this season but to progress further, we need a bit more help. Please join the CWCF 100 Club draw. Help the club and win a cash prize!
Please also contact me with any changes of contact details or your personal circumstances as soon as possible. It would be nice that I didn’t have to find out after I have checked the account and have to make sometimes embarrassing enquiries. However, I will always check first, especially if you are a winner, and now I usually pay prizes out by bank transfer, it does make things easier.
The petition started by Talia Wilson, who helps with matchday hospitality and catering, to improve accessible travel to Cray Wanderers FC, is still running. It currently has 1,434 signatures, up 40 from last month and slowly rising. We now need 66 more signatures to reach the next goal?? Please support her efforts and get your friends and family involved too. It can be found at https://chng.it/kyZj9j7zYx
Please also see this related article by old friend of the club, Trevor Mulligan which tells you a bit about our issue!
https://www.coyw.co.uk/2026/01/transport-to-flamingo-park-whats-problem.html
Better accessibility could mean larger attendances, bigger revenues and ultimately, we would hope, more success on the pitch!
So, until June’s draw where I still plan to meet up with a very old work colleague I haven’t seen for many years, who is also Cray Wanderers related. Still have to arrange a meet and I haven’t asked him about the 100 Club draw yet and he possibly won’t want to do it so his name will remain anonymous but we shall see. I may have to think of a plan B but I may just grab some other random from the pub or go and knab someone from the Padel court at Flamingo Park?
So “Enjoy the World Cup”? Not long to wait for proper football
Take care and “Be lucky”.
Cheers!
COYW!!
John
John McArthur
Admin of 100 Club and P.A at Cray Wanderers Football Club
