Hello to all Members of the 100 Club.
Back to some sort of normal, the holding of the 100 Club draw at the last home match of the month. What? February’s draw done in……February! (otherwise it would have been the 8th March!)
So, it was on the day of a home fixture against Folkestone Invicta that the Cray Massive congregated at Flamingo Park. And what a day it was. Kick off delayed to 3.15 due to a Folkestone supporter being taken ill. We had a few birthdays to announce. “Coventry” Colin, due to be a member of the 100 Club in April and who helps myself and Mark Hunt in the press area and an old junior player, Frazer Cronin, who scored the winning penalty in our first Heritage Cup match with Sheffield in July 2010. His “friends” wanted it announced that he was 40 but he was only 32! We also had a presentation to a young fan, named Frankie who was caught in the crossfire of some “nastiness” by the home supporters at our recent away match at Chatham Town, of a T-shirt of a creature he likes, an Axolotl. Earlier, he was treated to a visit to the changing room and also received a Frankie Raymond, number 8 shirt, signed by the team.
As for the match? The first half did not pass off without incident as Cray scored an early Soul Kader goal after 10 minutes (equalizer on 22) and then on 39, Cray were rocked by the sending off of Frankie Raymond after being deemed to have gone in two footed in a challenge, even though the referee only gave a yellow for a ridiculously high challenge on a Cray player moments earlier. At 1-1, half time came and we had the Monthly meat raffle (where I was fortunate to win 2nd prize and a pack of 6, very large chicken breasts) and the 100 Club draw, both out on the pitch. Cray’s 10 men held out for a 3-2 win, which included a super strike from Josh Williams which is definitely in contention for Goal of the Season?
But onto the 100 Club draw. The choice of who to do the draw went to the young lad, Frankie, who is also the Grand-dad of well-known member of the Cray Massive (but not a member of the 100 Club), Keith Miller.
The first ball Frankie drew out of the tombola was number 73, which belonged to Rebecca Goringe of Woore, Shropshire, who wins the first prize of £150. Rebecca is the daughter of our statistician and historian Peter. Well done Rebecca. Many congratulations to you.
The second ball drawn out for the second prize of £100, was number 43. This ball belongs to Mark Phillips of Brentwood, Essex. Mark is the son of our former Life-Vice President and former administrator to the 100 Club, Kerry Phillips, who sadly passed away in March 2024, Congratulations Mark.
The third and final ball, drawn by Jack, and the winner of £50, went to Paul Stafford of New Eltham, with ball number 80. Paul is one of our newest members. Congratulations Paul.
Congratulations to all our lucky winners and many thanks again to all members for your continued support and participation in the 100 Club.
And many thanks to young Frankie for doing the draw for us. All at Cray Wanderers hope you had a fantastic day and hope to see you at Flamingo Park again soon.
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 going great guns and still remain top of their division. They compete in the Presence & Co Southern Counties East Development League West, playing their home matches at Flamingo Park, on Friday evenings. (KO times TBC) Please watch out for notifications of their forthcoming fixtures on the Cray Wanderers website and the Cray Massive page on Facebook.
With attendances growing, especially our away support, We are still seeing a very slow increase in 100 Club membership, despite our growing attendances. We have 12 vacant numbers to reach 90 members. The directors had hoped to reach 100, prompted by the move to Flamingo Park. If any of your family or friends, and that would include any new supporters, would like to join, please email me and I can send out an up-to-date-form. (Or see me at a home match). One can also download a form from the Cray Wanderers website or use the one printed in the match programme. The directors have serious plans and expectations for the club and would like to “push on to the next level” As, I think it was Lord Kitchener who said, in the famous poster, ”Cray Wanderers needs you!” And, of course, more members, an increase in prize money is on the cards as well as a larger donation made to Cray Wanderers Football Club.
I must strongly reiterate that if there are any changes to your contact details, or indeed any changes to your personal circumstances where you have to leave, please could you advise me as soon as possible?
So, until March’s draw, which we hope to hold on Saturday 29th of March, at the massive game with Dover Athletic (and a chance to do the double over them) take care and “Be lucky”.
Cheers!
COYW!!
John
John McArthur
Admin of 100 Club and P.A at Cray Wanderers Football Club
