At the All-Star game last month to celebrate the success of Jez George's 'Walk For Change', U's fans were treated to a grand unveiling of several retained players as well as three new faces - one of which was former Kettering left-back James Jennings.

Having spent one season at Rockingham Road after leaving Macclesfield Town, where he came through the youth system, Jennings admits he was looking for security from any new suitor - which he got in the shape of a two-year contract at the Abbey.

However, he said this was not the only reason for picking Martin Ling's side ahead of several other interested parties at this level.

"The gaffer and Cards [assistant manager Paul Carden] showed their interest in me not long after we played Cambridge earlier in the season and it progressed from there," he explained.

"I was out of contract in April and I had interest from a few other clubs in the Conference but I listened to what Martin had to say.

"He explained how the club was moving forward, told me about the types of players he was hoping to sign in the summer, and it's fair to say I was impressed."

Two of Jennings' new team-mates have arrived from Histon - Danny Wright and Danny Naisbitt - and it's fair to say there was a mixed reaction from the supporters to the two former stars of our near neighbours.

But the new left-back says he is looking forward to having Wright on his side for once, having played against the tricky striker in the Conference before.

"I've played against Danny Wright a few times when he was at Histon and he really stood out for them," Jennings said.

"When the gaffer mentioned his name I immediately thought that was a good signing because he's a big centre forward and he's already been successful at this level."

Jennings says he's also looking forward to experiencing the vociferous support from the Newmarket Road End - and has already seen the fans at top volume in previous seasons.

"I knew from personal experience, having played against Cambridge in the past, about the fanbase," he enthused.

"I remember one season - when you guys got to the playoff final - going to the Abbey and I was quite taken aback by the noise and the atmosphere."

While Jennings freely admits he had offers from elsewhere when his Kettering contract expired at the end of last season, he had some inside information to help him make the right choice to join Martin Ling's revolution - namely former striker Chris Holroyd, who still speaks very highly of the club.

"I'm good mates with Chrissy and I kept in touch with him throughout the process of signing here," he revealed.

"When all this was going on I was speaking to him about the club and everything else and he only ever had good words to say about everyone involved.

"He still has a lot of respect for the manager, the backroom staff, and the fans here so speaking to Chris and Cards, who I've come across a few times in the past too, really helped make my mind up for me."

He continued, "I got a really positive vibe from the club - especially as the last 15 games of last season Cambridge were on top form with 30 points from those games. That's promotion form.

"Cambridge is certainly a step forward from Kettering, and I like to think that in my time here we'll be able to push on and get into the League. That's my aim."

Jennings could be part of a very young back-four alongside centre-backs Brian Saah (23) and Josh Coulson (21), and right-back Kevin Roberts (20) next season.

And he said: "It's a nice balance of youth and senior players in the squad and I think that's important. I mean, I'm still only 22 but I've already made quite a few senior appearances and it's the same with a lot of the others.

"We'll have players like Kevin Roberts, Simon Russell, Brian Saah, and Josh Coulson, who've all played plenty of professional games despite being quite young.

"Add to that the youth academy products coming through, especially the ones who have a lot of games under their belts, and you've got a really promising set-up."

But is he worried the team perhaps lacks an experienced head to marshal the troops at the back?

"I've played in young back fours before so it'll be nothing new for me," he smiled.

"What really helps is having an experienced head in goal to organise everything, and I think we'll have that in either Simon Brown or Danny Naisbitt.

"They both seem like the talking type so that will be good. Paul Carden in midfield is a good talker too and his knowledge of the game will help."

For anyone still sitting on the fence about whether to buy a season ticket for next season, the news that our new left-back wants to bring a little bit of 'samba football' to the Abbey could sway a few more through the turnstiles.

Towards the end of last season centre-back David Patridge was Martin Ling's preferred option on the left, which meant a traditional holding full-back.

However, Jennings' arrival could see a change to a style akin to the Brazil side of ten years ago, who through Cafu and Roberto Carlos pioneered the modern attacking wingbacks system instead of stay-at-home defenders in a flat-back four.

Jennings, who hastened to add he isn't comparing himself to the former Real Madrid star just yet, explained: "I like to get forward a lot, bomb on a bit and help out in attack, and Martin has given me licence to do that next season.

"He's openly said he's happy for me to do that because he knows that's my strength, which is really good to hear.

"I scored four goals last season - although they all came along at once towards the end of the year - and I'd like to improve on that."

He freely admits he needs to work on improving his defensive capabilities, but said he expects the coaching staff at the Abbey to help a great deal in that regard.

The 22-year-old is moving into the shared house with a couple of the other younger players just outside the City, but says he is happy to relocate from Kettering because of the Cambridge area and it's location.

"My girlfriend lives in Hertfordshire so that's not far away, and my Mum lives in London too so I imagine I'll be down there a bit," he said.

"Cambridge is also a bit closer to those places than Kettering was. Plus having close family and friends nearby will help the transition and I'll be using it as my base rather than travelling home a lot, so for many reasons it should be a good move for me."

For now, Jennings will be focused on having a productive pre-season in Marbella - an annual ritual with his family - before returning to the UK for the latter stages of the World Cup.

"All the players are back in on 5th July but if I'm available for one of the World Cup screenings at the ground then I'm going to go to that as well," he said.

"I'll meet up with a few of the players and stuff, which will be good before we all get together as a squad for the first time.

"Before that I'll go to Spain with my brother and my family and do some running on the beaches there as part of my summer fitness programme. The weather certainly makes that a lot more fun!"

Hopefully Jennings' and United's 2010/11 season will give us all just as many rays of sunshine.

Interview by Alistair Potter

Read Danny Wright interview HERE
Read Danny Naisbitt interview HERE
Read Simon Russell interview HERE

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