Welcome to this afternoon's game at the Trade Recruitment Stadium in the Blue Square Premier. Our visitors today are Northwich Victoria whose players, supporters and officials have made the trip down from Cheshire.

After six weeks without a home Saturday game, like the proverbial buses three have come along on the trot. This match was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday week, 24th March and it is of great credit to officials of both clubs that, after closely studying their fixtures, it was possible to bring the game forward to this 'free' Saturday.

Our game originally scheduled for today away at Stevenage was moved back due to their FA Trophy commitments. That game, which will be all-ticket, is now due to take place on Tuesday 7th April.

The away game at Barrow this coming Tuesday was in doubt for 24 hours last week until Northwich could free up 24th March. Working with the Conference League and the Secretary at Barrow FC, a solution was found to enable the latter team to fit in their outstanding Setanta Shield game with AFC Telford.

The suggested late change to our date in Cumbria would have put in jeopardy many people's arrangements for the game. The Club had arranged travel, accommodation and training facilities. I also know from talking to fans last week that many had booked two days off work. The other fear was that we would end up playing four games in eight days before the season was out.

I have noted that FIFA are recommending a change for an increase in the length of half-time from 15 to 20 minutes. The cynics amongst us would say that this is to get in an extra advertisement break and to sell more food and drink. To see the way that a crowd slowly filters back to the seats at a Premiership game, I can see their point.

However for someone standing on an open terrace at Barrow next Tuesday evening, an extra five minutes braving the elements may not be so welcome. We will have to wait and see about the outcome but I fear it will only be a matter of time before they suggest breaking the game into thirds!

The England C team, for which Dan Gleeson has played this season, has qualified for the final of the International Trophy which is due to take place in this country, and there is growing support campaigning for the match to be played at Wembley Stadium.

Understandably this would be a big cost to the FA. Therefore the suggestion is that it should be played as a double header with either with a scheduled full England match, a ladies match or a schoolboy game. For details see Facebook John Paul Patrick Hunt or e-mail hendonbee@hotmail.co.uk

Many congratulations to Gary Brabin for his well deserved BSP Manager of the Month Award. His Assistant and Club Captain Paul Carden made it a treble with both the BSP Player of the Month and Setanta Goal of the Month. They have worked the whole squad very hard throughout the season and it is national recognition for the good strides forward being made on the pitch.

Keep on supporting the U's.

Fans Director
Brian Attmore

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