One of Jimmy Quinn's new signings during the summer, Gavin Hoyte made an immediate impression by scoring on his Cambridge United debut on the first day of the season at York.
The towering centre-half joined United for an undisclosed fee from relegated Conference South side Bedford Town, but prior to that he had played for three other Bedfordshire clubs while working as a roofer and scaffolder.
Gavin started out at youth and Under-18 level with Bedford United and then U.S. Valerio FC, the former club of ex-U's striker John Turner, before joining Wootton Blue Cross of the United Counties Football League.
Then in November 2005 he joined Bedford's biggest club, Bedford Town, and became a fixture in their defence as they enjoyed a difficult season in the Conference South, catching the eye of scouts from Football League clubs. Although the club was relegated at the end of last season, Gavin was named captain during the season and collected a host of end of season awards.
Several Football League clubs were interested in signing the pacy 21-year-old centre back, but after speaking with Bedford Town boss Stuart Bimson - himself a former U's defender - and meeting the staff at Cambridge United, he decided to join the U's on a one year deal with the option of a further year.
"There were other clubs looking at me but I didn't go and see the other clubs after speaking to the people at United," he reveals. "Jimmy Quinn came to see me when I was working, and then I came to the club and met some of the other people and the secretary and decided to sign."
Moving into the Conference has been a step up for Gavin in terms of the standard and speed of the game as well as the demands of full-time football, but he is highly rated by manager Jimmy Quinn, who believes he is "a tremendous talent who can go all the way in the game".
Like many of the other new players, Gavin says the week at Army barracks early in pre-season was a big help to him when settling into a new club.
"I didn't really know anybody in the first few days so I was just quiet, but then when we went to army camp I got to know everyone there so that definitely helped and it's been good since.
"The experienced defenders here, like Mark Peters and Mark Albrighton, have been a big help to me; they all speak to me at training and try to help me and I'm learning things all the time by listening to them and watching them in training and in games.
"They always talk to me and help me out and I think it's getting easier as I play more games - I just wish I could last 90 minutes!"
He also pays tribute to previous manager Stuart Bimson, saying, "He did a lot of work with me in training too. He's been around and I know he was here at Cambridge, and he used to be a good defender and he's helped me a lot.
"He made me captain halfway through last season too, and that boosted my confidence."
After an impressive pre-season campaign, Gavin made his debut in the first game of the season away to York and scored United's equaliser in a 2-1 away win.
"That was quality," he admits. "I haven't scored for about two years and I didn't know what to do to celebrate it, either!
"I think it would have been easier to make my debut at home because you have the fans behind you, and the crowds here are fantastic. Last season I was playing in front of about 100 people so it makes a huge difference with so many people there, although I get a bit nervous sometimes."
Being new to the club and to this level of football, Gavin had no expectations or preconceptions about this season so he is enjoying the experience of battling it out near the top of the table in the Blue Square Premier.
"The Gaffer didn't put any pressure on us, he's just said 'go out there and do your best', so I've found it OK and I think everyone else is the same and not feeling any pressure."
As well as guiding him during games, Gavin revealed that player-coach Mark Peters has been a big help on the training ground: "We do most of the defending training with 'Rhino', although the Gaffer and Alan Lewer help a bit too, and it's good to learn from someone who's been there and done it like he has."
Bedford-based and learning to drive, Gavin currently has to get the bus to and from Cambridge each day, and he reveals that a day off during the week is a welcome chance to rest and recharge from training and playing.
"I don't do anything much on a day off, just chill out and rest because you're too tired from training and playing," he says, adding that he relaxes by listening to music and playing ProEvo on the Playstation.
Apart from a recent spell out with a hamstring injury, Gavin has started in almost every game he has been available for this season, something he didn't expect at the start of the campaign.
"I thought I'd be on the bench for a couple of months but obviously I did all right in the pre-season games and after the game against Leicester the Gaffer said I did well, so it's been good to have played so many games already.
"We've started well but I didn't know much about the league and the other teams so I didn't really know what to expect, so it's really good to be doing so well and be up near the top of the table."
We also asked Gavin some questions from supporters on the club message board at cambridgeunited.com, starting with some from Matt Davies in Perth, Australia, who asks: "How have you rated your performance level this season?"
Gavin: "About 70%. I think I've got more to give."
Matt also asks: "What did you know about Cambridge United before signing?"
Gavin: "Not much at all really, although I had a trial here when I was young. When I was at Bedford United they had a friendly against Cambridge and after that game John Turner, who I played with in Bedford at Under-18s, had been watching and he said the Gaffer (Herve Renard) wanted me to come for a trial, but I came up here for one day and didn't hear any more."
Brad Jones asks: "What is the biggest difference between the Blue Square South and the Blue Square Premier?"
Gavin: "It's harder - the players and the challenges are tougher - and it's played at a quicker pace."
Brad also asks: "Where would you play if you were not at the back?"
Gavin: "Probably midfield; I played there when I was 15, but since then I've always played central defence."
Brad's final question: "Who is the funniest player to be around?"
Gavin: "Mark Albrighton, he's always a bit of a joker."
'Block F' asks: "If you were invisible for the day what would you do?"
Gavin: "Hmmm, rob a bank?"
Adam asks: "How does a relatively large crowd affect you as a player coming up from Bedford Town? Do you feel more pressure, more nervous or does it give you a boost throughout the game?"
Gavin: "It definitely makes me feel nervous and more pressure."
Adam also asks: "What are your ambitions in your football career?"
Gavin: "Just to go as high as I can in the game."
And Adam's final question: "What are you best and worst at, both in football and off field activities?"
Gavin: "In football, my best is probably my left foot because there aren't many of us around, and the worst is probably my fitness but I'm working on that. Off the field, I'm probably best at chilling and worst at drinking."
Matt Gooding asks: "Is Leo Fortune-West as miserable as he looks?"
Gavin (laughs): No he's not. Well, only on the pitch!"
Matt Ramsay asks: "What picture do you have above your peg in the dressing room?"
Gavin: "The actor who played John Coffey in the film 'The Green Mile'.
Matt also asks: "You scored on your United debut. How did that feel in front of such a big away support, and what is your goalscoring target for the season?"
Gavin: "It felt great to score, especially on my debut, but I hadn't set a target because I hadn't scored for ages before that, so my target could be one!"
Fred Clamp asks: "Who has the worst and best haircuts in the team?"
Gavin: "The best is mine. The worst is probably Chilli (Dan Chillingworth)."
Dave Stacey asks: "What are your favourite clubs in Bedford?"
Gavin: "Probably 'Time Out'.
Dave also asks: "What's it like stepping up from Wootton Blue Cross, with two fans and a dog, to United, with over 2,500 each game?"
Gavin: "It's been great but it's a bit nerve-wracking sometimes."
Ben Phillips asks: "Did your mother put you in a grow bag as a kid? If not what the hell did she feed you!"
Gavin: (laughs) "No she didn't! I come from a tall family - my Dad's 6ft 3ins and my Mum's about 6ft tall."
Peter Parnwell asks: "Which player says the stupidest things?"
Gavin: "Probably Reedy (Stephen Reed). He comes out with some silly things."
We closed with Gavin's hopes for the season: "Personally I hope I stay fit and play as many games as possible, and hopefully we'll go up.
"Like I said before, no one's putting pressure on but promotion is what we all want and I think if we're lucky with injuries and we keep our form going then it's possible."
Andrea Thrussell
web@cambridge-united.co.uk
*An edited version of this interview was published in the programme for the match against Salisbury on Saturday 20th October, 2007
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