A note for supporters that a Cray Wanderers XI travel to VCD Athletic this evening for a pre-season friendly. Kick off 7.45 pm. Admission £5 with bar/tea bar/refreshments available.
Please note this will be a young Wands side including trialists and U18s players with the first team available for the home friendly with Bromley U21s on Saturday, 20th July.
This will be a chance for some players to get minutes and experience on a great playing surface at the Oakwood and against a team perhaps nearing the start of the season ahead of the Wands.
VCD – are managed by Danny Joy and Ross Baker and finished 12th in the SCEFL Premier last season following relegation from the Isthmian South-East at the end of the 2022-23 season. They begin their Southern Counties East League Premier Division season on Saturday 27th July at home to Lydd Town and travel to Metropolitan Police in the FA Cup the following Saturday.
VCD Athletic in pre-season won 4-2 at Ilford on Tuesday 9th July and 6-1 at Rochester United last Satuday. On Tuesday night, VCD were beaten narrowly 3-2 at home to Isthmian South-East Herne Bay.
The teams had a strong and friendly competitive rivalry back in the Kent League days and for a spell when the teams met in the Isthmian South and South-East. The last time the teams played at VCD was in pre-season ahead of the shortened 2020-21 season and Cray won 4-2.
Directions: The Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN
By Car
From the Cray’s – the quickest way from the High Street is to go on to Station Road and then Main Road and after 0.5 miles at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Sandy Lane. After 0.9 miles at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto N Cray Road/A223 for 2.1 miles and at the next roundabout take the 1st exit staying on N Cray Road/A223. Continue to follow the A223 for 0.3 miles and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Bourne Road/A223. After 0.3 miles at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Bourne Road A220/A223. Follow for another 0.3 miles and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Bourne Road/A223 for 0.8 miles. Then at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto London Road/A207.
After 0.4 miles turn right onto Martens Avenue and then a right into Old Road and after 0.2 miles into Woodside Road where the ground will be on the right. The journey should take around 20 minutes.
By train
Nearest station is Crayford. Exit the station via Station Road and at the roundabout take the 1st exit and follow the A207. Continue onto Crayford High Street (A2000) and then continue onto Old Road. Please note this is quite a steep climb at times so just be prepared for about a just over 20 minute walk unless you get distracted by some of the many fine pubs in Crayford. The ground will be on the right hand side. Distance approx 1 mile.
By Bus. From our neck of the woods probably more than one bus but the 492 out of Bluewater stops on Woodside Road and is a three minute walk to the ground. The no 96 bus stops on Old Road and is about a 7 minute walk uphill to the ground. Both buses can be caught close to the station with the 96 at the Town Hall bus stop.
For those that like a drink before the game and heading up the descent through Crayford there is the Bear and Ragged Staff on London Road which is part of the Green King chain. The Crayford Arms in the High Street has a good selection of real ales. There is also an excellent micro-pub called the Penny Farthing on Waterside which is close to the Bear and Ragged Staff. Nearer the ground are the Dukes Head and the One Bell on Old Road which is a Grade II listed building. It has to be said there is a really good clubhouse/social club at the ground with friendly staff.
