FIRST TEAM
At a glance:
First season at Step 5 finishing 11th in the Kent Hurlimann League and reaching the Semi Finals of the Kent Senior Trophy. Steve Chapman having taken over towards the end of last season starts his first full season in charge.

See link for full details, from league table click on individual club name for more in depth info.
https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=756715&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=7949964&selectedCompetition=0

Pictured Cray Valley Captain Jamie Miller in action at Erith & Belvedere in the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Quarter Final 14th January 2012. Cray Valley lost the game 4-0 but were awarded the tie after E&B were found to have fielded an ineligible player. Cray Valley who had won 2-1 at Canterbury City in the second round went on to lose 2-0 at Hollands & Blair, the eventual winners, in the semi-final.

Cray Squad list taken from match day programme 25/2/2012 Herne Bay v Cray Valley (PM)
Jack Carthy, Ben Healy, Steve Springett, Joe Matthews, Jamie Miller, Billy Parkinson, Alex Prall, Jason Dolby, Matt Knuckey, Robbie Bryant, Joe Penny, Luke Tanner, Mark Allan, Chris Eather, Quentin Conteh, Stewart Back, Harry Dolby, Sali Hafiz, Tino Sarcone. Manager: Steve Chapman, Asst Mgr: Mark Edwards, Physio: Agata Dudo. Colours: Green / Black.

YOUTH TEAMS
U18
Kent Youth League - U18 Central Division
Final position: 5th / 10
http://archive.kentyouthleague.co.uk/tables/1112/U18C

U15
Kent Youth League - U15 North Division
Final position 6th / 8
http://archive.kentyouthleague.co.uk/tables/1112/U15N

History Insight
Announcement made May 2011
The FA Leagues Committee met yesterday and made some changes to club placements at Kent League (Step 5) and Kent Invicta League (Step 6) level.
The Safety Net Associates Kent League will welcome Cray Valley (PM), who have been moved from the Kent Invicta League, after Sporting Bengal were granted permission to transfer to the Essex Senior League for the coming season.

A statement from Cray Valley which was published on www.cray-valley.co.uk said: “The club has been restructured for the coming season, with the great news that the first team have just been accepted into the Kent League – our dream has come true!
“We won’t be running a reserve side in the South London Alliance, but instead will be concentrating on developing our youth policy by running an under 18 side in the Kent Youth League, and will give good young players the chance to progress by experiencing being part of the first team set up. We will also be running another Under 15 team, again in the Kent Youth League.
“At the time of writing, the new clubhouse and changing rooms are well on the way to being ready in time for the first Kent Invicta game on 20th August, whilst there is now hard standing for spectators around three sides of the main pitch.”

Manager Steve Chapman who first joined the club as a player in 1982 gave a series of interviews with Stephen McCartney of Kentish Football throughout the season.

4-Aug 2011
We've got our feet on the floor, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/wevegotourfeetonthefloorsayscrayvalleybossstevechapman

28-Sep 2011
I certainly don't want to finish bottom, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/icertainlydontwanttofinishbottomsayscrayvalleybossstevechapman

2-Nov 2011
We've consolidated our position in the Kent League, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/weveconsolidatedourpositioninthekentleaguesayscrayvalleybossstevechapman

11-Feb 2012
Arrangements are in place to get our ground up to standard, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/arrangementsareinplacetogetourgrounduptostandardsayscrayvalleybossstevechapman

5-Apr 2012:
I've seen the club grow over the last couple of years', says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/iveseentheclubgrowoverthelastcoupleofyearssayscrayvalleybossstevechapman

FIRST TEAM SEASON MATCH BY MATCH WITH REPORTS AND PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES WHERE AVAILABLE
In date order all competitions

Sat 13-Aug 2011 Kent Hurlimann Football League Premier Division
Tunbridge Wells 2 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: TW- Irvine 2
Cray's dream start to their fairytale season was shattered as they went down 2-0 at Culverdon in their first ever Kent League fixture to a well organised Tunbridge Wells side. Newly nicknamed "Two Blues", in celebration of their 125th season in Senior Football they hit Cray within 2 minutes of the kick off and again in stoppage time at the end of the 2nd half to get their season off to a flyer.
Chapman gave debuts to Darren Nash, Phil McBean, Ady Deane, Sam Prett and Callum O'Shea and all five contributed to the exciting adventurous football Cray produced. The scoreline somewhat flattered the home team as Steve Chapman's new look Cray adopted themselves well following their promotion from the Kent County League in front of the league's biggest crowd of the day (148). Despite losing an early goal the players didn't panic and probably had the majority of possession throughout the game. However, they failed to take advantage of the few chances created and ultimately were clinically punished by two poachers goals by former Norton Sports striker Andy Irvine.
Cray conceded the opening goal from the first real attack of the game when a cross, following a quickly taken throw in, cannoned off the luckless Jack Baines straight to Irvine who smashed the ball past veteran keeper Stewart Black in the Cray goal. Chances thereafter were very few and far between and Cray's best chance of the half fell to last season's top scorer Matt Knuckey when he latched on to a long punt from Black but his first time strike whistled past the Wells upright.
Ady Deane was introduced on the hour mark and made an instant impact. Knuckey was fouled on the edge of the box and Deane's excellent free kick was pushed around the post by keeper Dean East. Ironically Dean, brother of Cray's Daren, was on trail at Cray at the beginning of pre-season and was making his debut for Wells as a result of the unavailability of Mikelle Czanner through injury. From the resulting corner Deane picked out Joe Matthews but his downward header went the wrong side of the post. Wells lost striker Nick Nowotny with what looked like a nasty knee injury and play was held up for several minutes as he was stretchered from the pitch.
With 15 minutes remaining Chapman changed Cray's formation to 3-4-3 and threw on Sam Prett and Callum O'Shea in an attempt to salvage a point. Despite pressing for an equaliser it was Wells who had the final say when in added time they hit Cray on the counter attack. Once again Irvine was in the right place to benefit from a deflection off skipper Jason Dolby to fire home from short range.
It was a testament to Cray's overall performance that the Wells fans voted centre back Perry Spackman as their man of the match as opposed to 2 goal Irvine. With so many good performances it was difficult to select Cray's best player but Jack Baines just edged it with what was probably his best game in a Cray shirt.

Cray Valley: Back, Healy, Baines (Prett), Dolby (Capt), Matthews, Miller, McBean, (O'Sheas), Nash (Deane), Fitzpatrick, Knuckey, Tanner. Unused subs: Summersby, Watkins, Ibrahiym.

Tues 16-Aug 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Erith & Belvedere 4 v Cray Valley 0

Sat 20-Aug 2011 Kent Hurlimann Football League Premier Division
Cray Valley 1 v Canterbury City 4
This was Cray's third league defeat in as many games in their first season at step 5 having lost 0-2 and 0-4 away at Tunbridge Wells and Erith & Belvedere respectively.

Cray's squad listed in the programme that day.
Stewart Black (G/K), Ben Healy, Jack Baines, Joe Matthews, Jamie Miller, Phil McBean, Joe Fitzpatrick, Matt Knuckey, Adrian Deane, Luke Tanner, Lee Ward, Kris Hollidge, Drew Watkins, Jason Dolby (Capt), Sam Prett, Greg Summersby, Aaron Jeffrey, Darren Ibrahiym (G/K), Darren Nash, Callum O'Shea. Manager: Steve Chapman, Asst: Mark Edwards, Coach: Brian Wickes.

Sat 27-Aug 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Deal Town 0 v Cray Valley 0

Mon 29-Aug 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 2 v Erith Town 1
Bank Holiday Monday saw the Millers win for the first time at Step 5 having picked up their first point on the Saturday at Deal Town after three opening defeats.

Sat 3-Sep 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v Woodstock Sports 2

Sat 10-Sep 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 2 v Corinthian 1

Tues 13-Sep2011 KHFL Prem Div
VCD Athletic 1 v Cray Valley 0

Sat 17-Sep 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 0 Greenwich Borough 0

A last minute penalty miss by the otherwise dependable Joe Matthews denied Cray maximum points they failed to capitialise on numerous second half chances against a Borough team that contained at least 5 new signings. Gerry Cox’s side has struggled to find any consisteny so far this season and after their mid week 3-0 defeat to Sevenoaks he admitted afterwards that he was delighted with the point and the battling qualities that his team displaced. On the other hand opposing boss Steve Chapman rued missed opportunities but was happy that his defence has tightened up and managed to keep a clean sheet. In fairness Borough created very little all game and keeper Jack Carthy had his quitest afternoon of the season. In fact their only goal scoring opportunity came when under pressure Matthews clearance hit the top of his own cross bar!
The first half was a scrappy affair as neither team took the initiative and Cray strikers Matt Knuckey and Aaron had little to feed on. Cray were more adventurous after the break as Ady Deane and Joe Fitzpatrick started to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Sam Prett and Luke Tanner were introduced as Chapman threw caution to the wind and pushed three up front. However, it proved to be a frustrating afternoon all round. Tanner had his goal bound strike from outside the area turned around the post and Prett best effort was cleared off the line.
It looked like all of their second half pressure would pay off when the referee spotted an infringment in the box. With usual penalty taker Knuckey already substituated Matthews stepped forward to take the kick. To the dismay of the players and fans Matthews struck his kick firmly over the bar!
Cray Man of the Match – Joe Matthews

FROM THE DUGOUT – MANAGER STEVE CHAPMAN’S EARLY THOUGHTS ON THE SEASON

Managing the side in our first season in the Kent League has certainly bee a challenge so far but I must say it’s been made a lot easier reciving the constant backing and support of the Board and more impoertantly the players! Having only retained 10 of the squad whih gained us promotion, I’ve signed around 15 new faces - all of which are talented indiviauduals. It’s my responsibility to find the right blend of experienced players and young players and a combination of ball winners and creative players. Hopefully, now that the summer holiday’s are over and I’ve released a few of the fringe players, we should see a bit more consistency in the coming weeks.
I’m particularly please with the likes of Joe Matthews, Ben Healy and Jamie Miller, all of which in my opinion have comfortable made the step up.

Sat 24-Sep 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 0 v Herne Bay 3

24-Sep 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 0 v Fisher 0
Attendance: 104
Cray Valley: Jack Carthy, Kris Hollidge (Ben Healey 76), Steve Springett, Joe Matthews, Jamie Miller, Tom Martin, Paul Springett, Joe Fitzpatrick, Matt Knuckey, Sam Prett (Robbie Bryant 73), Jason Dolby (Darren Nash 70).
Subs: Jack Baines, Stuart Back

Stephen McCartney reports from Champion Hill Stadium
CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Steve Chapman hopes the return of winger Callum O’Shea will provide the ammunition for his goal-shy side after they played out a goalless draw at Fisher tonight.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/fisher0-0crayvalleypapermills-ourdecisionmakinginthefinalthirdislacking-chapman

Sat 8-Oct 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Holmesdale 1 v Cray Valley 2

Sat 15-Oct 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Beckenham Town 4 v Cray Valley 1

Sat 22-Oct 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 0 v Sevenoaks Town 2
Goals: ST- Naiwo, Atkins
Still finding their fit in a first season at step 5 the Millers slipped to a fourth defeat in 7 matches at Badgers. Two first half goals from Naiwo and Atkins saw the Millers lose some momentum to their campaign following victories on the road at Seven Acre & Sidcup in the London Senior Cup and Holmesdale.

Weds 26-Oct 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Woodstock Sports 5 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: WS- MacDoanld 4, Taylor
CV- Barnett, Taylor
It wasn't until the 88th minute that the Millers troubled the scorers, but by that time, Sports MacDonald had scored four of his own in the opening 45 minutes. Taylor scored a fifth for the homeside before Barnett and Taylor made the scoreline look a little bit better - but not by much!

Tues 1-Nov 2011 LONDON SENIOR CUP (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) THIRD ROUND
Erith & Belvedere 3 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: E&B- Andy Constable 19, 84, Lee Coburn 80
CV- Jamie Miller 33, Matt Knuckey 62
Attendance: 69
After winning 2-1 at Seven Acre & Sidcup in the second round the Millers found themselves a goal behind after 19 minutes as Andy Constable netted for the Deres. Jason Dolby equalised for the Millers soon after before Matt Knuckey put the visitors in front after 62 minutes. The Deres rallied and Lee Coburn tied things up after 80 minutes before Constable put the Deres through scoring the winner with 6 minutes remaining.
Cray Valley: Jack Carthy, Ben Healy, Steve Springett, Joe Matthews, Jason Dolby, Billy Parkinson, Chris Barnett (Kris Hollidge 87), Jamie Miller, Matt Knuckey, Luke Tanner (Robbie Bryant 28), Callum O’Shea.
Subs: Stewart Back, Alex Prall, Tom Martin

Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road
ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Micky Collins says he is taking the London Senior Cup seriously after his side scraped through to the fourth round with a win over their spirited Kent Hurlimann Football League rivals Cray Valley (Paper Mills).
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/erithbelvedere3-2crayvalleypapermills-ourclassshowedintheendsaysmickycollins

Sat 12-Nov 2011 Kent League Premier Division CUP First Round Second Leg
Beckenham Town 0 v Cray Valley 2 (Beckenham Town won 6-3 on aggregate)
Goals: CV- Tanner 28
Luke Tanner's goal after 28 minutes was enough to secure the Millers victory on the day, but after losing the first leg at Badgers a week earlier by 6 goals to , where Tanner also scored, Beckenham Town went through to the second round by a convincing 6-3 aggregate.

Sat 26-Nov 2011 KENT SENIOR TROPHY SECOND ROUND
Canterbury City 1 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: CC- Kennett 39
CV- Bryant 44, Allen 75
City had beaten the Millers at Badgers by 4 goals to 1 earlier in the season but traveled down to Herne Bay's Winch's Field on the back of a 1-0 win at Beckenham Town in the League Cup. City went ahead though after 39 minutes through Kennett before Robbie Bryant levelled things up just before the break. And a Jeff Allen goal after 75 minutes sent the Millers through to a Quarter Final tie at Erith & Belvedere.

Sat 3-Dec 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 4 v Erith & Belvedere 2

Sat 17-Dec 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Sevenoaks Town 1 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: ST- Kissi 86
CV- Conteh 60
Mo Conteh's only goal of the season for the Millers put the visitors in front just after the hour market Greatness Park but the Millers were denied a vital away win when Richmond Kissi levelled things up for the Oaks with just four minutes remaining.

Mon 26-Dec 2011 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v Fisher 2
Goals: CV- Hammond 29
F- Turner 31, Quan 65
With three wins and a draw in their previous four fixtures the Millers went into this Boxing Day fixture in high spirits and took a 29th minute lead through Jeff Hammond but Jamie Turner equalised for the Fish just two minutes later. A holiday crowd of 105 saw the visitors snatch what proved to be the winner with 65 minutes played as Chan Quan slotted home. Despite a spirited fightback from the Millers it was the fish who took home the Christmas spoils.

Badgers pitch prior to the stand on the far side being built. Pic courtesy of Tales from the pigeon stands.
Blogger Repor:
https://talesfromthepigeonstands.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/cray-valley-paper-mills/

http://www.footballgroundsinfocus.com/TT1112-123.pdf

Sat 7-Jan 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 3 v Holmesdale 2
Goals CV- Matthews 24, Knuckey 75, 84 (pen)
H- Prall 1 OG, Dance 44
The Millers couldn't have got off to a worse start as Alex Prall put the ball past a bemused Stewart Back and into his own net inside 60 seconds! However, composing themselves, the Millers were back on level terms after 24 minutes when Joe Matthews headed home only to see Dance restore the Dalers advantage just before half time. Matt Knuckey again restored parity for the Millers in the 75th minute before driving home the winner from the penalty spot 6 minutes before the end.

Sat 14-Jan 2012 Kent Senior Trophy Quarter Final
Erith & Belvedere 4 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: E&B- Wood 44, 54, J Dolby OG 83, May 90
A close first half saw the Deres take the lead, seconds before the break, through a Lewis Wood strike before the striker doubled the home side's advantage nine minutes into the second half. Jason Dolby put through his own gol to seal the tie for the Deres after 83 minutes before Alfie May, who went on to play at Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town, added a fourth in the last minute. However, despair soon turned to joy for the Millers after the Deres were withdrawn from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in the match.

Sat 28-Jan 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Greenwich Borough 1 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: GB- Babatunde 80
In a season that the Borough were ground sharing at Holmesdale's Oakley Road, the home side recorded one of just five League victories which would eventually see them finish bottom of the Premier Division table. Defender Sheriff Babatunde's goal after 80 minutes ws enough to separate the two sides, in front of a muted crowd of just 15.
Millers manager Steve Chapman spoke to Stephen McCartney of Kentish Football after the game "We've found our feet and we're playing very good football" he said. "We were very unlucky not to beat Greenwich Borough. We had most of the game but we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. That really is the story of our season. We're consolidating, we're defending well but we can't finish teams off when we have large periods of possession."

Sat 18-Feb 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Corinthian 0 v Cray Valley 1

Sat 25-Feb 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Herne Bay 3 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: CV- Baverstock 2, Soutan
League leders Herne Bay had not lost at Winch's field this season, winning 7 and drawing 1, while the Millers were looking to improve on just 7 goals scored in 11 away league fixtures. Sadly, the match went the way of current form as second half goals from Ashley Baverstock (2) and Dave Soutan kept the Bay 11 points clear of second place VCD Athletic.

Sat 3-Mar 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v Lordswood 2

Sat 10-Mar 2012 KHL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v Beckenham Town1
Goals: CV- Tanner 62
BT- Hobbs 63 (pen)
In a 16 division team division, the Millers were still trying to make an impression in the league and were sat just 8 points above bottom club Deal Town as they faced 8th place Beckenham Town at Badgers. Luke Tanner put the Millers in front after 62 minutes but the lead lasted under a minute as Jack Hobbs equalised for the Becks from the penalty spot.

Sat 24-Mar 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Lordswood 1 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: L- Hooper 1
CV- Prall 77 (pen) , Knuckey 87
The Millers fell behind to an Adam Hooper goal inside the first minute at Martyn Grove as the Lords looked to complete a double over Steve Chapman's side having won 2-1 at Badgers just 3 weeks earlier. But Alex Prall equalised from the penalty spot after 77 minutes before Matt Knuckey struck the winner for the Millers with 3 minutes remaining.

Sat 31-Mar 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Canterbury City 1 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: CC- Smissen
CV- Parkinson
City took the lead in the 29th minute when a throw from the left was fired into the Cray area by Jack Tanner and a moment later it was in the back of the net courtesy of Smissen who turned the ball past Carthy. Cray equalised form a corner from the left flew over Giga's head, was headed back across goal by Parkinson and into the City net.

Sat 7-APR 2012 KENT SENIOR TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
Hollands & Blair 2 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: H&B- West, Hafner
The Millers had lost 0-4 at Erith & Belvedere in a Quarter-Final tie at Park View Road but the Deres were later excluded from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in the match. The Millers were reinstated but suffered a second defeat in the competition as a goal in each half from Stuart West and Dean Hafner sent the Blair through.

Sat 14-Apr 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v VCD Athletic 1
Goals: CV- Knuckey 56
VCD- Benbow 70
VCD arrived at Badgers in a 6 way battle at the top of the table which was eventually won by Herne Bay on goal difference over Erith & Belvedere and the Vickers, all finishing the season on 58 points. Matt Knuckey put the Millers in front after 56 minutes before Greg Benbow levelled the scores with 20 minutes remaining.

Weds 18-Apr 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 2 v Tunbridge Wells 3
Tunbridge Wells, who beat The Millers 2-0 in our first ever fixture at Step 5 back in August 2011, completed the double with a 3-2 win at Badgers! The result left Steve Chapman's team in 12th place (of 16), 9 points ahead of bottom placed Greenwich Borough.

Sat 21-Apr 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Cray Valley 1 v Deal Town 0
In the penultimate fixture of The Millers first season at Step 5, Steve Chapman's team gained a 1-0 victory at Badgers over Deal Town. The reverse fixture in August saw The Millers gain their first point of the season at their fourth attempt!

Sat 28-Apr 2012 KHFL Prem Div
Erith Town 0 v Cray Valley 4
Goals: Cv- Springett, Tanner, Knuckey, Froggett
The last match of the 1st season at Step 5 and goals a minute either side of half time from Steve Springett and Luke Tanner, put the Millers in control against Erith Town at the Erith Stadium. Matt Knuckey and Josh Froggett sealed the win with late strikes.

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