THE BIGGEST COMPETITION IN THE WORLD
By Trevor Mulligan
Tuesday 8 September 2009

Wands manager, Ian Jenkins, is looking forward to Saturday's visit to Walton and Hersham in the F A Cup. "After all, it's the biggest competition in the world," he said to me this afternoon.

" The players enjoy playing in the competition and it'll be nice to have a break from the league, especially as the results haven't quite been going our way," Ian continued, "Different levels and different league positions don't make a bit of difference in the Cup. Just as long as our lads play to their full potential then I'll be happy."

Ian spoke about the players who won't be in the squad this Saturday. "With Knighty, we could see it coming, but we're still gutted. Glen's job was giving him more and more responsibility and the inevitable had to happen. He's now taken on the role of goalkeeping coach at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground and we're sending our goalkeepers over to him once a week. When he told me he was leaving, we had a handshake and I wished him all the best for the future .

"Jamie Kempster has also now left the Club." Ian informed me, adding, "He'll be signing with Erith Town on dual registration. I've had a word with their manager and hope we can have Jamie back when we need him. Good luck to him. He's been suffering a bit of late with injuries, but he's really going to be missed around the Club. He's been a great and loyal servant."

The inevitable question about Shaggy (Michael Power) leaving fell from my mouth automatically and, unsurprisingly, Ian was full of praise for the popular Cray striker. "It's unfortunate. Something happened in the changing room on Saturday, I won't go into detail but, after I spent Saturday night into Sunday thinking about it, I had to tell him I've got to release him. I'm really gutted it had to happen. I still think he's a quality player and I wish him all the best. I'll even help him if he wants to find another club."

Looking forward to Saturday again, Ian said, "It'll be nice to go on a decent cup run this year. See if we can go beyond the fourth qualifying round. That would be really something in our 150th year if, on 3rd January, we're in the first round proper for the first time ever.

"We've got plenty of cover in our squad; and we can borrow from the Reserves as well. We just need to be a bit more punishing in front of goal." He added.

Speaking about the Canvey Island game last Saturday, Ian said, "We were a bit unfortunate. I thought the referee was a bit below par and I was right in line with the linesman when he kept his flag down for the first goal. Their player was way offside. And their penalty was a bit of push and shove by both players, yet we got punished. But we looked right. We're improving all the time. We'll be all right in this league."

The two goalkeepers were discussed and Ian said, "Both Pat Brennan and Jack Smelt will be fighting it out for the number one shirt. Jack's dad is Charlton Athletic's goalkeeping scout, Lee Smelt. Pat and Jack are both good 'keepers and I'm pleased to have them in my squad."

We finished our conversation with Ian mentioning that he likes the idea of the players getting involved with our website interviews. "Hopefully, you can get them all involved," he said.

Now, how am I going to break the news to Jerry Dowlen that he's got all that extra work to do?!

Walton & Hersham -v- Cray Wanderers
F A Cup - 1 st Qualifying Round
Saturday 12 September 2009 - Kick-off 3pm