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!
Well! Have we all recovered from Sunday’s FA Cup, First Round Proper match with Stockport County? It was a terrific day although rather hectic, with demands and “do’s and don’ts” coming in from the BBC and TNT seemingly every day. And what a performance by the team, who in no way looked fazed against their full-time opponents and took a two-goal lead with 2 fantastic goals from Sammie McLeod and a magnificent free kick from Alex Hernandez. Stockport had to bring on their top goal scorer, who unfortunately got a goal back on 81 minutes, but as soon as the board for added time was raised, Stockport broke all our hearts to make it 2-2. The players had fought hard for 90 minutes and I think all present would say we were the better team, even a few Stockport fans would agree but it only took, what seemed from my position in the Media area to be rather suspect penalty to knock us out of the competition.
We had planned to do the 100 Club Draw for October at the game, maybe not on the pitch (we wouldn’t want to disturb Alex Scott would we?) but in the Media area, asking one of the many Stockport journalists or even as it turned out, a friendly guy from Talk Sport Radio to do the draw, discreetly, using the smaller balls and the black “velvet” bag. But unfortunately, in my rush to get to the ground early, I left them at home anyway, so that idea went out of the window and we had to finally do October’s draw at a rain-soaked Flamingo Park at the Three Bridges match on the Tuesday. (Yes we had to play Sunday and Tuesday as AFC Whyteleafe were playing on the Wednesday). Fortunately, we did it shaded from the rain, in the stand, where we asked someone sitting next to us, using a tablet we have seen before that collects data from the game. His name was Jonathan Moulds, who works for a Sports Statistics Firm and calls himself an “Opta Match Statistician”!
Below were the results of Jon’s actions, all drawn from a dry, black velvet bag:-
The first ball drawn was number 75, which belongs Anthony Gentle, of Orpington, who was a regular at Cray, both home and away, and both men’s and women’s matches and is usually accompanied by his daughters. He can’t wait to resume attending games next season, when his youngest is a little older. He wins the first prize of £150. Well done Anthony, 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 14. This ball belongs to John O’Grady of Orpington. Spoke to his daughter, Sue yesterday. He is unable to attend as many matches as he would like but the whole family did watch the cup match on TV and are obviously very proud of the team! Well done John!
The third and final ball drawn out was ball number 29, belonging to Peter Robinson, of (you may have guessed!) Orpington and who wins £50. Peter is a regular at Flamingo Park. Congratulations Peter!
An Orpington treble. Does that mean the best way to get drawn out of the bag is to move to Orpington!!
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. The winners have been contacted and monies have been paid and gratefully received.
Now for the usual but necessary other business!
CRAY WANDERERS STILL NEEDS YOU! …despite the Cup run!
The club 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. And it would just look good. We hope the cup run and the TV exposure will help increase numbers. In the meantime, 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 have done, 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 it to me at the address provided. I will contact you to select a preferable and available number. (Unfortunately, there are quite a few).
HOWEVER PLEASE NOTE if you bank with Nat West, I’m afraid, due to a change in their processes, they will not accept Standing Order requests from me, for them to send it to their head office for processing. So unfortunately, you will have to take the form into your branch yourself and they will set it up or as I feel that they are trying to get you to do, set it up on-line. Then please contact me for a number. I apologise for any inconvenience, but it is out of my control. I have had problems with Nat West myself with their insistence of doing everything on-line.
Join the CWCF 100 Club draw today. 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 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 1,538 signatures, a disappointing increase of 4 from 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. It would also 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 now it is getting darker earlier, the “footpath” from Slades Drive is no longer an option to use. Please sign or get friends and family to sign. Web URN below.
https://www.change.org/p/improve-accessible-travel-to-cray-wanderers-community-football-club?recruiter=1375103995&recruited_by_id=56d9f270-3d74-11f0-9c49-9dc8bc2fbd10&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard_share_modal&utm_medium=whatsapp
Please also see this related article by old friend of the club, Trevor Mulligan which tells you a bit about our issue! He’s an old friend of the club and founder of the 100 Club. I hear he may make an appearance at the Folkestone FA Trophy match on Saturday.
He …only lives round the corner”!!
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!
We’re still playing catch-up on the fixtures and continue with games every Tuesday and Sunday. It therefore looks highly likely that a possible date for the November draw will be Tuesday 24th November at our Wingate and Finchley match, although grabbing someone at the away match at Dartford on the following Saturday could be an option. So watch this space!
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
