Cray Valley’s FA Cup goal machine Ade Yusuff has told how he wasn’t even going to play this season.

Yusuff was disillusioned with football after leaving troubled Dover and when a move to Northern Ireland fell through, he was set to take a year off.

But Millers boss Kevin Watson - his old manager at Chatham - talked him round and a few months later he’s the leading scorer in the FA Cup with six goals and about to appear in the first round.

The Isthmian South East club travel to National South Havant this Sunday with Yusuff, 26, glad he changed his mind.

“If I’m honest, there was a point where I didn’t think I was going to play this year,” said Yusuff, whose goals this season have come exclusively in the FA Cup.

“I can’t go into much detail but there was the situation at Dover.

“I then spoke to a few clubs and went out to Northern Ireland, which I really enjoyed, but with the pandemic I wasn’t able to get anything over the line.

“I felt quite down and didn’t want to play but I’ve known Kev a long time and he had a chat with me.

“Our relationship goes beyond football, he’s looked out for me in general life, and when he said to come and play at Cray Valley and enjoy your football, I thought, ‘You know what, I will do that’ and I feel rejuvenated here.

“I’ve always wanted to play higher but sometimes you’ve got to look not necessarily at the level, but the level of your performance.

“I’m enjoying my time at Cray Valley and Kev is a big part of that because he’s been a really important person in my life.

“If I didn’t play I probably would have regretted it so I’m glad Kev talked me round.

“It’s a really good bunch of lads, a well-run club and the people behind the scenes work tirelessly.

“I’m glad to be a part of it and we can enjoy the moment of being in the first round.

“They’ve been to the FA Vase final but never to the first round of the FA Cup.

“I’m happy the club have moments like this and hopefully we can go a step further.

“It’s a really nice place to be and I want the best for them, not just me and the boys, because it’s such a nice club.”

Cray Valley fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at National League Maidenhead in the last qualifying round.

Yusuff launched the fightback as the Millers beat a side three leagues above them in the pyramid.

Next up are National South Havant, a team he had success against last season.

“That Maidenhead game is one my highlights of playing in the FA Cup,” said Yusuff.

“The character of the team, to go 2-0 down against a team three divisions higher and come back as we did…

“We never felt sorry for ourselves, we kept pushing and the fact Maidenhead are flying in their league is testament to how good we were on the day.

“Havant are the league below Maidenhead but they’re up there with Dartford and Ebbsfleet as favourites to win it.

“I played against them with Dulwich last season and was on the winning team luckily but they’re well-drilled, they’re well-managed by Paul Doswell and they’ll be a good side.

“But, at the end of the day, it’s a one-off game, anything can happen and that’s why the FA Cup is the best cup competition in the world.

“There are surprises all the time and hopefully we give a really good account of ourselves.”

Sunday’s match starts at 12.45pm, with live coverage on the BBC red button, iPlayer and website.

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