Welcome to this afternoon's Blue Square Premier game at the Trade Recruitment Stadium. Our visitors are Grays Athletic, whose players, officials and supporters have made the short trip from Essex.

This game was switched from its original Saturday date after Setanta chose their home clash with Stevenage for screening last Thursday. With a Sunday game being a bit of a novelty and knowing that many people have alternative commitments on Saturday, I hope that today gives the opportunity for us to welcome some of our less 'regular' supporters.

Grays Chairman Mike Woodward recently relinquished his own control as team manager. This followed harsh personal abuse of him and his family from critics amongst their supporters. Such events do nothing to provide the stability within a football club that is needed to secure a successful future.

Grays have undoubtedly 'overachieved' considering they have one of the smaller fanbases in the Conference. Mr Woodward has since stated that he is willing to sell his share in the Club.

At the same time he is committed to their relocation to a new purpose-built community stadium within the Borough of Thurrock. He would like the supporters to play a role in the running of the ground and for this to happen they are urged to form a Supporters Trust.

Our own Trust, Cambridge Fans United were one of the first to be formed with the help of the government inspired Supporters Direct back in 2000. I know that we would be more than happy to give any advice and share experiences if there are a group of fans from our visitors with a mind to start one of their own. Just contact info@cambridgefansunited.org or drop me a line at the Trade Recruitment Stadium.

Tim O'Shea, Caretaker Manager for Grays, takes the team for last time today before handing responsibility for team affairs over to their new Manager Wayne Burnett on Monday. The team are bound to be out to impress and make up ground after a mixed bag of results in the League so far this season.

Our own form lately has been mixed and I know that Gary Brabin and the team will be working hard to get things back on track. Following two away games in the space of four days it is good to be back with a home match. The support of those who went to Mansfield and then Oxford is much appreciated, particularly in these times when personal finances are being squeezed.

Players from the Cambridge United Youth Team have recently been working with the Crime Reduction Team at the Cambridgeshire Constabulary to increase awareness of Immobilise. I think that it is a great idea that deserves to be shared.

Immobilise is a secure website www.immobilise.com that allows anyone to register for free their own personal property such as mobile phones, MP3 players and bikes by quoting serial numbers, make and model details. If registered property is stolen and reported to the Police they take steps to block mobile calls etc. It gives the Police a greater chance of knowing if stolen goods are in the wrong hands, recovering them and restoring them to their rightful owners. Don't wait, register today is the advice.

Enjoy the game, and remember after visiting York City next Saturday (4th October) our next home game is the following Tuesday evening against Lewes on 7th October.


Brian Attmore

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