Cray Wanderers 100 Club Draw for January 2025
Hello to all Members of the 100 Club.
As I mentioned in December’s 100 Club winners email, we always try and do the draws at a home fixture and have been successful thus far. Unfortunately the League, in their infinite wisdom, gave us 2 away trips at the end of January, not forgetting a rearranged fixture away to Wingate & Finchley. But a home fixture on the first of the following month is the next best thing, especially if you are trying to run monthly lotteries!
So it was on the day of the home fixture against bottom of the table Bognor Regis Town, who defied their lowly position and nearly took all 3 points back to Sussex but had to make-do with a point, as Michael Ihiedi popped up with his first Cray Wanderers goal, four minutes into added time.
Another busy half time break where not only did we have the 100 Club draw for January, we had our monthly meat raffle (which was won by a Bognor fan). We also had to say a fond farewell to two Cray Wanderers stalwarts who were moving onto pastures new. Stacy Whitehead, joined Cray 9 years ago to become Treasurer/financier of the junior section which contains 43 teams and even manned the turnstile at both Hayes Lane and Flamingo Park on many occasion. Also leaving us was Catering manager Dino Lyamani, who organised the catering for all our home games, not only at first team matches but the various private and live events held at Flamingo Park. He was also a regular helper at Hayes Lane, especially selling the Golden Goal tickets. Not only that but he had been a former Wands player during the 1994-95 season. A Larger than life character, he was also part of an entourage to Morocco to assist victims of the earthquakes there in September 2023, donating food and other necessary items, raising £10,000 and organising a football match against a local side, spreading the word of the wands. They will both be missed and will always be made welcome on any return visits to Flamingo Park.
But onto the 100 Club draw. We had quite a choice of people to do the draw for us as Jenko (former manager and Cray Legend Ian Jenkins) brought a lot of his former players down to Flamingo Park. To name a few, Ian Rawlings, David “DJ” Taylor, Ricky Bennett, Matt Woolf and Ross Lover (who could probably still do a job in our present side possibly?) were in the bar both before and after the match exchanging stories and remembering various past players . However, we asked Jenko’s number two, Joe Frances to do the draw, who I bump into at Chelsea quite frequently, always greeting each other with a smile, a handshake and a “Hello mate!!”. Joe’s late-father, Micky, some of you will remember, was, as you could say, part of the “Original Cray Massive” and was a wonderful artist for those of you who knew him.
The first ball, drawn out of the tombola by Joe and the winner of the £150 first prize, was James Wilson of Swanley, with ball number 27. Well done James and many congratulations to you.
The second ball drawn out for the second prize of £100, was surprisingly number 26. This ball belonged to Carole Phillips of Greenhithe. Carole’s husband was our former Life-Vice President and former administrator to the 100 Club, Kerry Phillips, who sadly passed away in March 2024, Congratulations and best wishes to you Carole.
The third and final ball, drawn by Joe, and the winner of £50, went to Paul Savill of Whitstable, with ball number 13. Congratulations to you Paul.
Congratulations to our lucky winners and many thanks again to all members for your continued support and participation in the 100 Club.
We now have the option of paying winnings by internet banking as well as by cheque. I will be in touch with the winners to find out their preferences soon.
As mentioned previously, the funds the 100 Club raises are earmarked for the new Under 23s team Cray Wanderers, who are still top of their division. Please watch out for notifications of their forthcoming fixtures in the Presence & Co Southern Counties East Development League West, playing their home matches at Flamingo Park, on Friday evenings. (KO times TBC)
With attendances growing, especially our away support, we are seeing a very slow increase in 100 Club membership, although we have also had a few leave due to various circumstances. In the meantime, if any of your friends or family would like to join, please email me and I can send out an up-to-date-form. You can also download a form from the Cray Wanderers website or use the one printed in the match programme. And again, I must strongly reiterate that if there are any changes to your contact details or indeed any changes to your personal circumstances and you have to leave, please could you advise me as soon as possible?
So, until February’s draw, take care and “Be lucky”.
Cheers!
COYW!!
