Although the 2016-17 season has been over for just under a month, Cray Wanderers are already looking ahead to next season with the news that striker Danny Haynes has re-signed for the club under contract.

Former Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic player Danny had a very productive first season with the club scoring 29 goals in 36 league and cup games.  His signing ties in with Luke Medley who came to Cray from Chatham Town in January also re-signing under contract.  Luke hit the ground running at Cray and scored 11 goals in 20 games and the pair have a great understanding up front.

The Wands also welcome back Michael Power who played 209 games for Cray in two spells between 2004 and 2013 and scored 70 goals returns from Phoenix Sports.  Michael has had successful spells at Thamesmead Town, VCD Athletic and Greenwich Borough since leaving Cray and scored plenty of goals wherever he has been.

Other players to re-sign for Tony Russell’s side are skipper Lea Dawson and wide midfielder/winger James Duckworth who returns after a year out through injury and talented Ben Mundele who can play as left back or further forward.

Unfortunately, Assistant Player Manager, Paul Lorraine has decided not to re-sign for 2017-18.   Paul played 37 games in league and cup last season and all at Cray wish Paul well in his future ventures.

Meanwhile one of last season’s stand out young players, Brandon Scott has been selected for Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy which seeks to help bring through the next generation of non-league talent to follow in Jamie’s footsteps and make it in big time football.

Brandon will now take part in a training camp at the Etihad Stadium watched by scouts in Manchester in June with the other selected players and their progress will be marked with a six part Sky Sports documentary.

The Wands are wasting no time in arranging their pre-season games starting in July.  All the games are to be played away due to the laying of the new 3G surface at Hayes Lane.

To date they will face:  Saturday 8th July, Charlton Athletic U23s at Sparrows Lane (1pm), Tuesday, 11th July; vs. Sheppey United (7.45); Saturday 15th July v Fisher (3pm); Tuesday 18th July v Corinthian (7.45); Saturday 22nd July v Bearsted (3pm); Tuesday 25th July v Erith & Belvedere (7.45); Tuesday 1st August v Canvey Island (7.45) and Saturday 5th August v Merstham (3pm).

In other news, Cray Wanderers will be joined provisionally in the Isthmian League South next season by three teams from Kent and South East London who have been transferred from the Isthmian North, Phoenix Sports, Thamesmead Town and VCD Athletic.  With Ashford United gaining promotion from the Southern Counties East League this means an additional 8 derby games next season to add to matches against Faversham Town, Greenwich Borough, Herne Bay, Hythe Town, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne making this a competitive and great league for Kent and South East London clubs.