Cray Wanderers announce that Joe Vines has been appointed as Assistant Manager for the 2017-18 season. As well as Joe being Tony Russell's no 2, he has also registered as a player should he be required.  Joe steps in as replacement for Paul Lorraine who left the club as Player-Assistant Manager at the end of last season.

Joe needs no introduction to Cray Wanderers fans after three spells with the club. He first made an impact as a young central defender in the 2000-01 season when he was voted Player of the Year by the Wands supporters. He departed for a few years but returned to add steel alongside Mark Willy in the Isthmian Premier in 2010-11 and played for three seasons.

He finally returned to play for a handful of games in the 2015-16 season and made a big impression on Tony and the playing staff. Tony said "The players really looked up to him and he is a thinker of the game. We are very happy to get him in with us".

Overall Joe played 92 games for the Wands scoring six goals.

Joe has a wealth of playing experience for a number of clubs in Kent and South East London, including Maidstone United, Margate, Thamesmead Town, Erith & Belvedere and last season was a member of Ashford United's SCEL title winning campaign.

Cray have been looking to assemble a side capable of challenging for the newly sponsored Bostik League South and have been able to keep high scoring centre forwards, Danny Haynes and Luke Medley as well as the re-signing of another ex Cray Wanderers favourite, Michael Power.  Full back Mitchell Nelson also joins the Wands from Tonbridge Angels.

The following players have departed the club in recent weeks.  Defender Jay Leader who was voted for the Isthmian South team of the season for 2016-17 has joined Bostik North newcomers Barking.  Midfielders, Sean Roberts and Lee Prescott have also left the club.  Versatile, Roberts has joined AFC Hornchurch while Prescott has signed for Bostik Premier, Margate.