With the Euro final and potential drama looming the next day, I decided my Saturday would be spent making a first visit to Flamingo Park, the new home to Cray Wanderers FC, of the Isthmian Premier League. Neil Smith’s Wanderers moved to the ground this summer and since the inaugural game was played on the newly laid 3G pitch, the wider ground with all its new facilities has started to be established to shape a stadium that will support the club’s growth in the coming years.

Cray’s previous home was temporarily at Hayes Lane, home of the Football League’s newest team, Bromley FC. Cray Wanderers are believed to be one of the world’s oldest football clubs, and London’s first ever football club, having been founded in 1860, however Flamingo Park is the first ground the club have ever owned.

Flamingo Park boats modern floodlighting, a brand new 3G pitch and covered seating for 250. The tannoy system is loud and clear and the old sports ground clubhouse at the back of the stadium provides a bar, refreshments and changing facilities. The atmosphere today was welcoming, optimistic, and the ground has excellent parking, as well as potential to expand.

Today’s match with Sheffield FC pitched London’s oldest football club against the world’s first football club, (founded in 1857), hence the two sides were playing for “The Heritage Cup”. Neil Smith’s side opened their summer friendly programme with a close fought 1-1 draw with SE Dons, having added key players such as strikers David Smith and Alex Teniola in the close season.

Sheffield FC, managed by Ryan Cresswell, began their preparation for their season in the Northern Premier League Division One East, with a 1-1 draw at Dearne & District, before losing 2-1 at Frickley Athletic. Sheffield currently play at the Coach and Horses ground in Dronfield, but have plans for their own new ground so like their hosts, have plans to vastly grow their own club.

The teams kicked off and straight away a clash of heads saw Cray Wanderers’ Charlie Edwards having to leave the pitch for treatment and assessment, being replaced by Enoch Muwonge.

Cray had much of the pressure and created a range of chances throughout the first half, with the triallist in Sheffield’s goal making a series of decent saves.

The away side however, never gave up battling and on 45 minutes got their just reward when a cross from the right was met with a fine headed finish by Alfie Smith to send the away side into the interval with a one goal lead.

The second half opened with the very respectable attendance of 466 spectators watching Cray throw everything into securing an equaliser. Unfortunately for the home team a goalkeeping week at a corner allowed Sheffield a simple tap in goal by Jack Watson to make the score 0-2 on 56 minutes.

In the 61st minute the game was effectively over when Sheffield FC’s Luke Aldrich tapped home after a free kick was parried away by Shaun Rowley in the Cray Wanderers’ goal.

Sheffield FC’s Jack Robson made it 0-4 on 66 minutes, breaking clear of a now shaky Cray Wanderers’ defensive line to fire home at the keeper’s far post.

In the final minutes Cray finally found some second half fight, twice having chances that struck the woodwork.

However at full time it was Sheffield FC who took a 0-4 away victory to secure the 2024 Heritage Cup.

The Cray supporters were understandably disappointed with their side’s performance at full time and it shows that manager Neil Smith still has much work to do in the run in to the start of the new season.

Sheffield FC proudly lifted the trophy in front of their fans and faced the 3 hour journey home in positive spirits, having begun the 2024-25 season with a trophy.