Cray Wanderers – the world’s second oldest football team– begin the 2014-15 season in the Ryman League Division One North for the first time in their history.

This followed relegation last season from the Ryman Premier League after a five year stay.

Despite relegation the club and its management team of Keith Bird and Mike Paye are optimistic that this season will see the Wands pushing for promotion come April.

Bird, who became first-team manager in October 2013, said: “We came to the club as part of a five year project to progress the club on and off the field.

"We were disappointed to be relegated last season but the club means business in 2014-15 and we are aiming for a swift return to the Ryman Premier Division and hopefully to progress beyond that in the future”

The club have brought in several experienced players like Shaun Welford, Danny Lye, Ian Daly and Pat O’Connor to go alongside some promising youngsters from last season’s team to give the team more strength in depth.

It is hoped that the disappointments from last season will ultimately lead to a sustained period of success comparable to the clubs rise from the Kent League in 2004 to the Ryman Premier League in the space of five years.