Level up your players on the training field and turn your contenders into champions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\u00a339.99 (PS5), \u00a340.49 (PC)<\/p>\n
It was a special experience for all involved, but particularly Kyrell. "Not many kids get to play with their dad," he tells us. "I was like a sponge soaking up all of his experience, both on the pitch and off the pitch. He didn\u2019t boss me around, but he was harsh because he expected a lot from me and Kyreece. He treated me like any other player because he has high standards."<\/p>\n
Kyrell rejoined Cray at the start of the current season after spells in the academy at Watford and the first-team at Welling United. Due to a combination of bad luck and injury, neither opportunity quite worked out. <\/p>\n
"After Watford my football has been difficult," Kyrell says, having been let go by the Hornets 18 months ago. "I was released and then I picked up an injury, so I wasn\u2019t able to bounce back right away. It was difficult at Welling and I wasn\u2019t getting a lot of minutes. It was a tough time for me."<\/p>\n
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Dad Kevin agrees. "He went to Welling, played half a season there and I told him \u2018whatever you do this season, you need to play full time and be involved in a team and doing your thing.\u2019 To be fair to him, he has."<\/p>\n
The nippy forward has been in magnificent form in front of goal for Cray Valley this term, scoring 13 times in 17 appearances, including seven in the FA Cup. Kyrell has scored in every round of the competition so far, making him somewhat more prolific than his dad who failed to find the back of the net once in the FA Cup proper. <\/p>\n
"I thought they\u2019d gotten it wrong at one point because I was looking and there weren't many goals to my name," Kevin says, laughing. "You always want your children to be better than you and he\u2019s started off alright."<\/p>\n
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Kyrell has rediscovered his love for the game at Cray Valley, who have only played five games in the Isthmian League South East due to their FA Cup run, but remain unbeaten. <\/p>\n
"Coming to Cray I\u2019ve been getting used to that scoring feeling again," Kyrell continues. "I\u2019ve fallen back in love with scoring. Having a manager that trusts me and players that made me feel welcome has given me my confidence back, and it\u2019s a really nice feeling."<\/p>\n
Now the focus for Cray Valley, Kyrell and Kevin is on Sunday's dream tie against Charlton. The Addicks have had a tough start to the season in League One and sit just four points above the relegation zone after last week's home defeat to Bolton Wanderers. <\/p>\n
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Kevin spent the best years of his career at The Valley but knows his former side are there to be got at. "If Cray Valley can get high enough up the pitch they can cause problems," he says. "They need to be confident as a team and what they do. It\u2019s a free hit. <\/p>\n
"If they don\u2019t go there and express themselves they\u2019ll regret it; that\u2019s what I\u2019ll be drilling into Kyrell. It\u2019s all for nothing if you don\u2019t go out there and show everyone how good you are and what you\u2019re capable of.<\/p>\n
"I think Charlton will win, but I think they'll give Charlton a really good game. Cray have some good young lads, so if they take care of themselves they'll give Charlton a really good game."<\/p>\n
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And what Kyrell himself? The Cray Valley star will have to pinch himself when he walks out at The Valley, following in the footsteps of his dad 16 years after Kevin's last appearance for Charlton. <\/p>\n
"When I step out on that pitch and I hear those fans and see my family and friends it will mean a lot," he says. "I can\u2019t wait for it. I\u2019ve seen all the videos on YouTube of my dad scoring that famous hat-trick against Liverpool. There are great memories of my dad and Charlton.<\/p>\n
"I\u2019m trying not to go there and be too emotional. It\u2019s just another game of football, but obviously everyone will be watching so I want to make them proud. It would be a dream to score and celebrate with everyone in the stands. I honestly can\u2019t wait."<\/p>\n