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 yourself a cash prize and help Cray Wanderers FC in obtaining much needed funds! That cover over the “Golf Club” terrace won’t build itself!
As you can see, we have had to do Septembers draw in October as there were no home matches towards the end of the month. But the team have been busy and are now negotiating their way successfully in two cup competitions as well as fitting in their regular League programme. Two dramatic matches with “the Mighty Maidstone” in the FA Cup, where they were brought down to earth and severely humbled in the replay on their turf, 0-2, followed by another dramatic game away to Cheshunt in the FA Trophy, where the boys won after scoring 5 perfect penalties to 4. Are we on for a trip to “The Arch” (and that’s not a trip to Maccy D’s!) or in the FA Cup, reach the 1st Round Proper at the 4th attempt? And it must not be forgotten that we are currently in a period where we play Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday up until 10th November.
On Saturday, the result of our victory over Maidstone, gave us a home fixture with Chippenham Town of the Southern League. Chippenham Town have played at National South level. I know this as I have visited their Hardenhuish Park ground to complete my National South grounds but all I can remember about the game was the nice bar, although difficult to access for me as it was up some stairs behind the main stand and a “situation” where I actually told the Burger girl that she had charged me £3 less for a basic burger (all that know me knows I never have a “basic burger”) stating that I was a member of a non-league team and that we would miss that £3 (especially if she repeated the transaction for the entire day). But obviously I didn’t want to make a second visit to Chippenham but that was never going to happen as Cray raced to a 2-0 half time lead, from Ola with a stunning goal that would win any Goal of the Season vote …. anywhere …. and Ade, and finished off in the 69th minute with a strike from Lafeef. Mention also for our new keeper, JJ Briggs, who’s handling when called into action was superb. So now we will all be eagerly awaiting the draw for the 4th Qualifying Round and a possible trip to a National League team on Monday at 2pm (Live on TalkSPORT) where victory would mean a match with a League One of Two team. So perhaps a game at home against a lesser team would be more favourable first?
So onto the draw. As with the last draw in August, the Media area was full and Mark Hunt and myself really didn’t want to move from our positions. Although we saw a few candidates to do the draw we picked on Chippenham’s version of Mark, Media man Jamie Oleszynski, who was happy to do the draw. Said it was his first time he had ever been asked to do such as task so was quite chuffed. He was a genuinely happy chap, even at the end of the match. Below were the results of his actions, all drawn from the black velvet bag:
So the first ball drawn by Jamie, was ball number 3, which belongs Jon Smith, of St Pauls Cray ,a regular at Cray, both home and away, who wins the first prize of £150. Well done Jon, well deserved and congratulations on being this month’s winner!
The second ball drawn out of the velvet bag for the second prize of £100, was number 12. This ball belongs to Gray Defroand of Orpington. Gary is also a home and away regular and was sitting in front of the Media Area so heard his name mentioned. He’s probably still grinning! Well done Gary!
The third and final ball drawn out was ball number 28, which belonged to Jim Jackson, of Welling who wins £50. A member of the Jackson family who have a long standing, historical connection to Cray Wanders. Nephew to the sadly departed and very much still missed, Dave and Peter Jackson as well as the son of Jeanne, also sadly missed by all at Cray. Ball 28 was the ball previously held by Dave. Congratulations Jim!
Well done and many congratulations to all our lucky and deserved winners and thanks again to all members for your continued support and participation in the 100 Club. And thank you to Jamie for doing the draw for us, who wished us well for the next round, hoping we get a good draw to enable us to reach the First Round Proper. The winners have been contacted and monies will hopefully be paid tomorrow. (when I go back to work)
Now for the usual but necessary other business!
CRAY WANDERERS NEEDS YOU! 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 is going well and the Padel Courts are doing better than expected. We are also due to have electric car recharging points, curtesy of our shirt sponsors Fastnet, installed in the car park area. And 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 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 go to 100 Club tab on the website where you can print off a form and follow the instructions. You can also 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 personal circumstances as soon as possible. It would be nice that I didn’t have any surprises 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 as 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 1,534 signatures, a disappointing increase of 2. 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 and pushed on this matter. I have had a few comments about how inaccessible the ground is and we know for a fact the number of Maidstone supporters attending our home FA Cup was low due to this as seen on their forums. Please sign or get friends and family to sign. Web URN below.
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!
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, especially during dark evenings. The link has been shared with them so we hope they will also join the campaign.
I see we have an overwhelming majority of away fixtures in October. It looks highly likely that a possible date for the October draw will be Saturday 7th November at our Leatherhead game.
So until then
Take care and “Be lucky”.
Cheers!
COYW!!
John
John McArthur
Admin of 100 Club and P.A at Cray Wanderers Football Club
