Home Page
Club History
Behind The Scenes
Trophy Cabinet
Player Profiles
Ground Directions
Fixtures/Results 2009-10
Match Reports
First XI Goalscorers
Ryman Premier League Table
Ryman Premier Websites
Reserves Trophy Cabinet
Reserves Fixtures 2009-10
Reserves Goalscorers
Kent League Div One Table
100 Club Information
100 Club Members
100 Club Winners
Looking Back In Amber
Wands Articles
Floodlight Pylon Archives
Wands Isthmian History
Ex-Football League Wands
Interview Archives
Junior Wands
Final Youth Tables
Non-League News
Kentish Football
Non-League Daily
Football Crests
Low Cost Domain Names
Free Adobe Reader

A VIEW FROM THE FLOODLIGHT PYLON
- The Jottings of Buster Wright -
15 January 2010

RELEGATION? Don't even go there!

Having said that, none of us would even need to consider the idea, if the self-styled 'true supporters' of the Club were to break the habit of a lifetime and actually 'dig a little deeper' to help out.

Last month, our Chairman called for assistance in helping to sell raffle tickets at home games. So, what happened? Diddly squat from those same 'true supporters'. In the end, the parents of one of Cray's up-and-coming players stepped in and offered their services. Top marks to them, and I know 'Gazza' appreciates the gesture.

And, the 100 Club is just the same. Whilst gliding my finger down the online list of 100 Club members recently, I found it interesting that the most critical of posters on the 229 forum – the ones that apparently want the manager out – are conspicuous by their absence. Coincidence?

WHEN ARE THE REFEREES in the Ryman Premier going to wise up to the fact that several goalkeepers are guilty of straying into the 'D' before releasing the ball via a drop kick? It's been witnessed time and time again this season and the tactic is illegal.

What's the answer? Quite simple really. The referee instructs his lino (or assistant, if you need to be pedantic about it) to hold back for a few moments when the ball is clutched by the keeper, long enough to witness where the player is when he lofts the ball away from his area. The lino can stand level with the 18-yard line and, if the goalie strays beyond it into the field of play (or the 'D') before he releases the ball via a drop kick, then he's committed an absolute offence and the lino can finally put his flag to good use instead of wrongly waving it for inaccurate and farcical offside decisions.

If the officials running the line are as fit as they are supposed to be, it won't cause them great concern to then sprint to where the last defender is if the goalie hasn't done anything wrong.

I WAS QUITE AMUSED to read this week that the Canvey Island mud flat is considered 'well draining'. When we used to visit that pitch regularly in the 1970s it was anything but well draining. But, back in those days, referees were not scared to pass a pitch fit even if it did have some surface water on it. I have some happy memories of visiting the Canvey ground back then; we were the only supporters there and we'd make the barman work overtime after the game.

How times have changed, though, as Canvey Island have had their taste of success at the top end of the non-league pyramid whereas Cray were languishing in the Kent League prior to their meteoric rise to where they are today. Back in the 1970s we got a bit upset if Canvey beat Cray (although it did occasionally happen), but either way there were some cracking games between the two clubs in the Met London and Spartan Leagues.

If only our supporters would answer the call of our Chairman we could no doubt ensure regular meetings between Cray and Canvey at a high non-league level for many seasons to come.

Until next time… COME ON YOU WANDS!!