FOOTBALLERS are planning a ball party like no other to celebrate their club’s 150th anniversary.

Cray Wanderers are used to battling against teams such as Dartford and Hastings in the Ryman Premier Division.

But the world’s second oldest football club is aiming higher for its birthday and is inviting top-flight teams to its ground in Hayes Lane, Bromley.

It has a confirmed fixture with Leyton Orient on July 14 and has contacted other clubs to ask them to play this summer.

Wanderers chairman Gary Hillman said: “We want to have some prestige matches.

“We have our eye on everyone and we are getting on their case about playing us.

“We want anyone as high up the football pyramid as possible.

“It is to raise the profile of the club locally and nationally.”

He added: “The club is on the rise with two promotions in recent years and we have 20 youth teams and are proposing a new ground back in the Cray area.

“We are trying to get a buzz back.”

Mr Hillman says the club has received a letter from the president of Barcelona FC congratulating them on the anniversary.

The Wanderers will be playing a match against local rivals Crockenhill at St Mary Cray Recreation Ground, off Park Road, St Mary Cray, on July 3.

It will be the first time the club has played in the Crays for around 40 years.