Dan Gleeson returned to his hometown club last March on loan from Notts County, made the move permanent at the end of the season, and has made the right wing back slot his own this season.

Born and still living just minutes from the Abbey, Dan watched from the stands before joining the club as a trainee and he made his first team debut in December 2003 while still a second year scholar.

As a first year pro the following season, he went from strength to strength with regular spells in the first team and earned a new contract despite the club's relegation from the Football League, but although he established himself in the new-look U's team in the Conference in 2005/06, Dan was surprisingly released by Rob Newman at the end of the season.

Joining former U's boss Steve Thompson at Notts County, Dan began last season as a regular in the League Two side, but slipped down the pecking order just before Christmas and was delighted to be offered the chance to return to the Abbey on loan in March.

Looking thoroughly at home as a right wingback as United escaped relegation, Dan scored his first senior goal in the 7-0 win against Weymouth in March and secured his early release from Notts County in May to sign a one year contract with United.

"I was looking forward to coming back here and thankfully the club stayed in the division, which was a massive effort from everyone," he recalls. "I could see from the end of last season, with the players that the Gaffer had brought in and some of the players already at the club, and from what he was saying about his plans, that the club was going to have a good season and I always thought we'd be towards the top of the league this season."

Released by Rob Newman at the end of the club's difficult first season in the Conference, then returning less than a year later, Dan is well placed to summarise the changes since Jimmy Quinn took over.

"There was a massive difference all around the club, in the changing room, on the pitch, off the pitch, and this season has been a massive boost with new faces coming in and new ideas from the Gaffer and Al.

"The team spirit and togetherness at the football club this season is unbelievable, unlike anything I've ever known before, and I think that's one of the major reasons we're doing so well."

He admits he had little hesitation in accepting a contract to return to the club in May, saying, "Definitely not. My contract was up at Notts County and I was doing well here at the end of last season so it was brilliant that the Gaffer came in for me, and being a local lad as well it was nice to come back home. I only live two minutes from the ground, right by Addenbrooke's Hospital, which is not even a five minute drive to the ground."

As a local lad, Dan is obviously well aware of the local rivalry between Cambridge United and Histon and has friends in the Histon team, and he has not been surprised at their recent success.

"Histon have done brilliantly, to be fair," he says. "It hasn't been as much of a surprise to me as maybe to some others because I know a few of the players there and I played with them as a young lad in Sunday League and for the Schools FA. I think Antonio Murray and Erkan Okay should both be playing at a higher level and they're probably a major part of why they're doing so well, along with the hard work that everyone is putting in.

"But I think our squad is very strong this season and after the phenomenal start we've had the only thing that will let us down is ourselves. To only lose two games in our first 25 shows that we're definitely going in the right direction, and with the players we've got here we should definitely be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

The personable 22-year-old is also well aware of how much interest in Cambridge United has grown this season, and how local expectations have risen since the end of last season.

"Everyone around Cambridge seems to be aware of how well the football club is doing," he confirms. "The ones who come week in week out knew what was happening, but this season the ones who only come once in a while seem to be interested in the club and that can only be good for the club's profile and the lads on the pitch.

"The fans have been unbelievable. At Stevenage they said we took 2,000 but I think there were nearer 3,000 there, and it's absolutely phenomenal for a Conference club to take that many fans away.

"That's not the only game," he adds. "At Burton the other week it was freezing cold and there were still a few hundred there on a mid-week night, and that's credit to the fans of this club who are so dedicated to the cause. Hopefully the players can pay them back with a little bit of success."

Dan's form this season resulted in a call-up for the England C (National Game XI) squad for their game in Finland last month and he earned his first cap as a second half substitute in England's win.

Although he was delighted with the call-up and hopes to be involved in the England C games in the second half of the season, 'Glees' is concentrating on Cambridge United's fortunes and he is looking forward to today's eagerly-anticipated clash.

"Boxing Day is always a big crowd, but to be playing against Histon and with the lads doing so well on the pitch I think there could be five or six thousand here today and it will be brilliant to run out on front of them. Hopefully it will be a great atmosphere for the lads and we can deliver the right result and keep that unbeaten home record going.

"It will probably be one of the biggest crowds I've played in front of at the Abbey, but the fans have been turning up in their numbers all season," he continues. "When you run out in front of that many of your own supporters it's brilliant, and at some of the away games this season it's almost felt like a home game. The atmosphere has been fantastic and it gives all the players a boost when we're running out before the kick-off and our fans are all singing and cheering."

Asked for his thoughts on what has changed this season, he replies, "I think it's mainly down to a massive effort from everybody. The players who were here last season knew what a massive dogfight we were in and stuck together with the manager and dug in, and I think that togetherness from the end of last season has carried into this season. The new players have helped too, and it's now showing on the pitch how well we can do.

"Alan Lewer joined in the summer and he's an unbelievable bloke. He would do anything for anyone on and off the pitch, and I can't speak highly enough of the man on my behalf and the rest of the players.

"And there was the Army camp in pre-season, which was fun and hard work at the same time. Fitness-wise it has paid off and it helped with the togetherness as well because there were a lot of new faces at the start of the season so it was good to go away and get all the lads together. You had to get to know people because we were all living and working together for the week, and I think it's another factor in why we're doing well this season so it was a good choice by the manager to do it."

With United fourth in the league table going into the busy holiday period, did Dan expect United to have started the season as well as we have, and can we keep it up?

"I knew that the players who were already here had it in them to do well this season," he responds. "Obviously I didn't know what the new lads were about at first, but I did expect us to be doing well, although maybe not quite this well. We've only lost two games, our home record is still intact, we've beaten every other team in the top five and I think we've beaten or drawn against every team in the top half that we've played so far, apart from Forest Green.

"That shows how well we are doing and I'm confident that we can carry on. Even last the other week, when we played Kidderminster on TV and lost 1-0, I think any neutral would see how well we played and would see their goal was offside. The way we played in the second half is probably the best we've played all season and I don't know how we lost the game, but that's football for you.

"We definitely take the positives from a game like that, despite the result. Although we were all gutted that we'd lost the game, everyone came off knowing that on another day we could have won that by five or six goals, and had one gone in I think we would have gone on to do that."

Turning to his hopes for today's game and the return game at Histon on New Year's Day, United's number 7 admits, "Six points would be lovely, and there's no reason why we can't do that, although everybody at the football club is aware that they will be very tough games. Histon, to their credit, have done brilliantly this season to be in the position they're in after getting promotion last season.

"They're doing well, we're doing well, so it should be a great game and hopefully we'll come out on top over both games."

Although Dan wasn't a U's player for the 5-0 defeat at Histon in the FA Trophy game last December, he adds, "The lads have mentioned it and I know how much it hurt them to lose to a local side, especially in the manner in which they lost, and I'm sure they'll be out to put that right.

"But if we worry about ourselves rather than them and what has happened in the past - because a lot has changed since then - I'm sure we'll be fine."

Dan also answered some questions from supporters, submitted via the club message board at cambridgeunited.com, and started with one from Alix who asks: "How does it feel to come back to United after leaving in such an anonymous way?"

Dan: "It was strange to start with, I didn't really know what to expect when I came back towards the end of last season, but I'm just grateful to be back and playing first team football again for my local club. It's nice to come back and be involved in a successful team and it would be nice to be able to give some rewards back."

Roger asks: "Who is the most unfit player when you do running etc?"

Dan: (laughs) "That would have to be by far the reserve keeper Luke McShane - he's embarrassing!"

Rogers also asks: "Who is always lively in the dressing room?"

Dan: "Mark Albrighton is the biggest kid you'll ever meet. He's always up to something, he loves a bit of banter and he's always involved in everything around the changing room and always involved in little pranks."

Roger's final question: "Who is the biggest moaner?"

Dan: "Definitely Lee Boylan - if he's not moaning there's something wrong with him!"

Imp asks: "What were your feelings when you were forced out of your home town club, because (allegedly) a senior player in the squad had earmarked a mate for your place in the team? Did the experience improve you as a player?"

Dan: "That's a good question. I felt slightly betrayed, having been told that I was going to be given another contract and then having it taken away from me was a little bit disappointing on a personal note, to say the least.

"But having said that, I'm a great believer that as one door closes another one will open and so in a way I'm grateful for the experience because I've been away and I believe that I've come back a stronger person and a better player, having gained more experience at Notts County and played in the Football League a little bit more."

Belly asks: "What did you make of Ritchie Hanlon's reign as St Albans manager?"

Dan: "That's a little bit political and I don't want to answer that due to the fact that I don't like the man."

Belly also asks: "Do you have an agent?"

Dan: "I think they have their good points and their bad points and they might be useful in some aspects of the game. I haven't got one myself and I'm not in a rush to get one."

Daniel asks: "Who is the best manager you have worked with?"

Dan: "I'd better say Jimmy Quinn, hadn't I?! This definitely the most successful team I've played in; I've been in a few relegation fights with Cambridge so this is definitely the most enjoyable time."

Daniel also wants to know: "Who is the worst dancer?"

Dan: "I'd have to say String Vest (Leo Fortune-West). He thinks he's got a little bit about him."

Daniel also asks: "What's the best chant anyone has used for you?"

Dan: "I think I've only heard one and I can't remember what it was, so if they'd like to try one that would be nice."

Daniel's final question: "Who's your favourite member of Girls Aloud?"

Dan: "The blonde short-haired one - I don't know her name."

Steve asks: "What job would you like to do if you weren't a footballer? "

Dan: "If I'm realistic, maybe something in the building trade."

Dave asks: "Your beautiful 'nuts' on Alex Jeannin against Oxford was one of the finest bits of skill I've seen. Have you ever completed a better piece of skill, or, have you ever been embarrassed by some yourself?"

Dan: "As the fans are probably aware, I'm not the most skilful player in our team and I've not really got a lot to offer in that department so it was nice to do that and nice to be televised as well - I was quite pleased with it.

"I was quite embarrassed when we played Celtic in the youth team and I got nutmegged by Aiden McGeady five times in the first half. That was quite embarrassing, although he has turned out to be quite a decent player."

Adam asks: "Do you remember ever playing a schoolboy game against Sawston Village College? My brother swears blind he got clattered by you in days gone by. If it's true, my hat comes off!"

Dan: "I do remember playing against Sawston Village College a few times so I suppose it's a possibility!"

Jamie asks: "Which player at the Club do you get on best with?"

Dan: "Probably Stephen Reed and Mark Convery. They've got a house locally so I probably see more of them than anyone else and get on with them better."

Jamie also wants to know: "What did you think of Steve Thompson as your Manager at Notts County and how was your time there?"

Dan: "It was very good there for the first three or four months. I played 20 games and everything was going well, and then I got injured and I never really got a look in again, but that wasn't due to the manager being 'funny' or anything so I've not really got anything bad to say about him."

Jamie also asks: "How has your game come on under Jimmy Quinn and Alan Lewer and do you enjoy working for them?"

Dan: "I definitely enjoy working for them and I think my game has come on a great deal in terms of going forward, and I think I'm improving on every aspect of my game. That's down to them, and me working hard."

Jamie also asks: "Is Danny Potter the best keeper you have ever played with?"

Dan: "I'd have to say he's up there, but I won't big him up too much because his head's big enough as it is! He's probably got the best feet of any keeper I've seen, but he knows that as well!"

Jamie asks: "Who is your room mate for away games, when there's an overnight stay?"

Dan: "Either Stephen Reed or Michael Morrison."

Jamie's final question: "Who gets your vote for Player Of The Season so far?"

Dan: "Rob Wolleaston, without a shadow of a doubt. Although I think Mark Peters is one of the unsung heroes; he's not getting any younger but the level of performance he's been putting in has been brilliant as well so I'll give him a little mention too."

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Dan concludes, "With the start we've had, I'm sure we can continue it. The lads and management will stick together and keep going the way we are, and I'm sure we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

"There's a lot more pressure on the teams at the top at this time of the season and maybe not so much on us as there is on Aldershot and Torquay, being the favourites to get promotion, and hopefully it will start to tell on the two at the top and we can start pegging them back. I'm sure we will."

Andrea Thrussell
web@cambridge-united.co.uk

*A much shorter version of this interview was published in the programme for the match against Histon on Wednesday 26th December, 2007

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