Hello and welcome to all Members of the CWFC 100 Club…. as well as those reading this, both members and non-members, in the programme and on our various and superb Social Media platforms. However, if you are reading this and are not a member, why not consider joining us? Win a cash prize for yourselves and help Cray Wanderers FC in obtaining much needed funds!
Its been quite a week! On Wednesday, Mark Hunt, Colin Heys, “Dodsy” and myself, attended a Celebration of Life for the late Derek Pullman at the Chelsfield Lake’s Golf Club. He was quite a character and well-respected person but never wanting praise. Had a go at most sports, Football, Cricket, Hockey and Golf being the main four and had collected many trophies on the way (as Tosh would testify as he was a member of the same golf club) and much memorabilia and programmes, mostly with his name in it and had played for many clubs. He was a goalkeeper. One thing we all seemed to know about was his “over-relaxed” driving, that myself and Mark have also witnessed first hand.
Then on Saturday, our trip to Maldon and Tiptree was cancelled, lets be honest, due to the “actions” of their unscrupulous owners. For those who had booked, we were also looking forward to the first of our Away Coach trips, kindly organised by Paul Pabs Godfrey. We hope to run a coach to every away fixture, numbers permitting. Please see Paul at a home match or view details on our social media platforms.
Then there was Bank Holiday Monday, when Welling United strutted into Flamingo Park and then left with their tails between their legs and all in front of an impressive crowd of 1,528 after a 4-1 defeat. Cray Wanderers scored three goals in the last twelve minutes in a match where both teams were reduced to ten men in the second half with Henry Molyneaux, rather harshly I thought, as he seemed to swerve to avoid an attacker and stepped outside his area. Unfortunately, he had been booked earlier for starting a goalmouth “melee”, after he had been fouled. We also saw 17-year-old goalkeeper, Oscar Johnson, come on for his debut and did well.
We also held August’s draw for the Cray Wanderers 100 Club Draw at half time. In a very crowded media area, mostly taken up my “Wings Radio”, we asked co-commentator, writer for Kent Sports News and friend of the club, Mark Doig to do the draw for us. I used to play a certain genre of music that we both liked when Welling played Cray at Bromley. Even though I had the tombola ready near the club house and the newly installed “DJ area!!!”, as it was crowded in the media area and I had the black velvet bag, Mark suggested, we grab Mark Doig and use his services.
So the first ball drawn by Mark D, was ball number 6, which belongs Steve Blendell, of St Pauls Cray who wins the first prize of £150. Well done Steve and congratulations on being this month’s winner!
(There is a ball in his hand but as I said, there wasn’t much room in the media area and Mark H, even though he twisted as far as he could to get the ball in, just missed it. Mark Doig initially thought it was ball 9, which happens to be mine but unfortunately for me, it was number definitely number 6)
The second ball drawn out for the second prize of £100, was number 8. This ball belongs to Debbie Stone of Green-St-Green. Well done Debbie!
The third and final ball, drawn out of the “black “velvet” bag was ball number 17, which belonged to Carole Phillips, of Ingress Park, Greenhithe who wins £50. Congratulations Carole!
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 and thank you to Mark Doig for doing the draw for us. The winners have been contacted and monies paid.
Now for the usual but necessary other business!
CRAY WANDERERS NEEDS YOU! We’ve did really well last season but to progress further, both on and off the pitch, we need a bit more help.
Sorry to bang on but Cray Wanderers are having to tighten their belts this season and we are desperately in need of funds. The AFC Whyteleafe groundshare will obviously be welcome and the Padel Courts are doing better than expected. 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. This week, two of our members decided to have a second ball. So once again, if any of your family and friends wish to join the 100 Club or you wish to have a second ball like a few of our members, or if you are reading this via another platform and would like to join, please either go to 100 Club tab on the website where you can print off a form and follow the instructions. 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 are quite a few). 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 sometimes make 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 1,532 signatures, the same as last month. We have reached 1,500 signatures and the “next goal” but unfortunately, I do not know what that is. But we still need more signatures. Also it would be good write to your MP or any other relevant authority that needs to be notified.
Please also see this related article by old friend of the club, Trevor Mulligan which tells you a bit about our issue!
Better accessibility could mean larger attendances, bigger revenues and ultimately, we would hope, more success on the pitch!
AFC Whyteleafe supporters have been asking for better ways of getting to Flamingo Park and the Slades Drive footpath has been mentioned. But this is not an option during dark evenings. The link has been shared with them so we home they will also join the campaign.
So, until September’s draw, where I see a free Saturday on 26th (possibly FA Cup??) or even the first Saturday of October against Three Bridges (???)
Take care and “Be lucky”.
Cheers!
COYW!!
John
John McArthur
Admin of 100 Club and P.A at Cray Wanderers Football Club
