Cray Wandering: London's oldest club finds its home

Words: Tom Stanworth

Images: Tom Stanworth

Cray Wanderers made history by playing their first ever competitive fixture at a ground that they officially own, ushering in a new era for London’s oldest club.

A bumper crowd of 840 attended the newly developed Flamingo Park in Chislehurst, with long-standing Wands fans joined by new fans and groundhoppers eager to witness this milestone in the club’s 164-year history.

To add to the sense of occasion, this was a local derby - the first ever competitive “El Craysico” vs. Cray Valley (PM) who achieved promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time last season. Valley also endured a nomadic existence for many years until their move to Badgers Sports Ground in Eltham in the late nineties.

Many of those in attendance were local residents watching the Wands for the first time, reflecting well on the club’s local outreach initiatives as they look to build a supporter base close to their new home, having played five miles away at Bromley’s Hayes Lane for the previous 26 seasons.

The free season ticket offer has been taken up by over 900 local people, far exceeding the club’s expectations. Expressions of support from a similar number of locals was instrumental in getting the planning application for Flamingo Park approved in 2018.

On an exciting and atmospheric night, two quickfire second half goals sealed a convincing 2-0 win for Cray Valley, prompting chants of “Two-nil on your big day out” from the away fans.

But whether they win, lose or draw, Cray Wanderers are wandering no more.