Non-League minnows Cray Valley prove FA Cup magic still alive with unique story
Some say the magic of the FA Cup is dead. Try telling that to Isthmian League South East Division outfit Cray Valley Paper Mills. The part-time, eighth-tier Non-League minnows are seeking to execute a first-round giant-killing this afternoon when they make the dream four-mile trip across south east London to face League One's Charlton Athletic.
Proud boss Steve McKimm believes a tie of this magnitude has the power to change their destiny as a football club. "It's a match made in heaven and probably the best draw we could have wished for," said McKimm. "We could have landed Derby or Portsmouth away but we wouldn't take as many fans as we're going to take to Charlton because it's virtually on our doorstep.
"We're trying to build a fanbase and this cup run has been a chance for us to show people what we can do. We really hope they come back for more. Yes, we've earned some money but it doesn't last forever. We're a fanatically-run Non-League football club - full of great people - that is hungry to progress."
Cray Valley could bank a whopping £41,000 with victory having already claimed over £22,000 in prize money after navigating their way through five rounds of action via eight matches, three of which were replays. They've battled past Lordswood, Uxbridge, Northwood, McKimm's former club Carshalton Athletic and Enfield Town along the way - netting 24 goals in the process.
Seven of those were scored by red-hot teenage prospect Kyrell Lisbie, who is gearing up for the game of his life. That's because the scintillating 19-year-old attacker - formerly of West Ham and Watford's academy ranks - is the son of Addicks legend Kevin Lisbie. And what makes this mouthwatering matchup even more spectacular is that the former Charlton frontman has history of his own with The Millers.
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The 45-year-old is also a Cray Valley icon in his own right having fired the club to the 2019 FA Vase final where they eventually fell short against Chertsey Town at Wembley. Lisbie, who played over 100 times in the Premier League for Charlton and struck a memorable hat-trick against Liverpool in September 2003, rattled in over 60 goals during two separate spells at Badgers Sports Ground before eventually retiring in 2022.
McKimm is confident his young talisman will keep his emotions in check. The 48-year-old declared: "It's just one of those surreal moments for their family. Kyrell's grounded and totally focused on the task at hand. Of course he will have more exposure but he's got people behind him - like his dad - to guide him through the occasion. His siblings and mum will also enjoy the day as much as everyone else."
And if any of McKimm's underdogs needed an extra sprinkle of inspiration - they should look no further than Charlton frontman Alfie May. The prolific Addicks striker needs no introduction in Non-League circles after the former carpenter's goals for Hythe Town earned him a life-changing pro deal with Doncaster Rovers in 2017.
Now he's one of the Football League's deadliest marksmen and McKimm wants his Cray Valley heroes to put their names up in lights. He concluded: "The players are the stars of the show in my eyes because they go out and run through brick walls for you. If any of them were to do really well against Charlton and push on - they go with my blessing. We wouldn't stand in anybody's way and it would be testament to their character if any of my players were good enough to get a move."
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