Steve McKimm Departs Cray Valley
Cray Valley (PM) have today announced that manager Steve McKimm has left the club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end one of the most successful managerial reigns in the Millers’ history.
McKimm arrived at Badgers Sports Ground in the summer of 2023 and immediately oversaw a remarkable period of progress and success, alongside assistant manager Barry Moore and first-team coach Mark Watson.
In their first season in charge, the trio led Cray Valley on a historic FA Cup run that captured national attention. The Millers reached the First Round Proper for the first time, highlighted by a famous 1-1 draw away at Charlton Athletic — a result that will live long in the club’s folklore.
That memorable campaign was capped off in emphatic fashion as Cray Valley were crowned Pitching In Isthmian League South East Division champions, amassing 95 points, scoring over 100 league goals, and securing promotion to Step Three for the first time in the club’s history.
The momentum continued into the club’s debut season in the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division. Against expectation, the Millers finished fourth, earning a place in the play-offs before narrowly losing out to Dartford in a dramatic semi-final that went to extra time.
However, the 2025/26 season has proven more challenging. With Cray Valley currently sitting 19th in the Isthmian Premier Division, the club have taken the decision to make a change in a bid to give themselves the best possible chance of survival.
In a club statement, Cray Valley said:
“This season, results unfortunately have not been at the same level and it has been agreed that it is the right time to make a change, to give us the best possible chance of survival in the Isthmian Premier Division.”
The club also paid tribute to McKimm and his staff for their contributions, adding:
“We want to thank Steve, Barry and Mark — as well as physio Sam Codling — for their hard work over the past three years and we wish them the best of success in the future.”
Across 109 league matches, McKimm recorded a win percentage of 54%, while also delivering some of the most memorable moments in Cray Valley’s modern history, both domestically and in national cup competitions.
Details regarding the club’s next steps will be announced in due course.