United visit Crawley Town this Saturday looking for the win to propel them back into the play-off places. Nevertheless, following a turbulent three years both on and off the pitch, Steve Evans' talented side are now gunning for promotion so will provide a tough test. Despite being defeated in their last two league games, the Sussex side sit comfortably in fifth place and welcome back key players from injury for the U's visit.
Troubles initially surfaced during the 2005/06 season when overspending saw the club spiral into debt, whilst a three-point deduction was imposed after the annual player budget was exceeded. After avoiding relegation, the club applied for administration in June 2006 and the search for new owners began. The entire squad were also transfer-listed along with manager John Hollins.
The slump continued as Town went close to liquidation but, thanks to an eleventh hour agreement with creditors, the club were allowed to commence the new season. Just five players had reported for pre-season training, but the lifting of a transfer embargo meant a side could be patched together; one quickfire arrival being former United striker Scott Rendell.
Town started 2006/07 with a mandatory ten point deduction and, to compound matters Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer, Jimmy Quinn's right-hand man at the Abbey last season, were dismissed after some poor results.
Coach John Yems took the reins temporarily and, although maximum points were claimed in just two of the last twelve games, an overall record of ten victories in front of the Broadfield Stadium faithful and seven away wins meant Town overhauled their handicap to conclude the season in eighteenth place. Away from the pitch, new benefactors were still to be found, meaning long-term monetary guarantees could not be made. Therefore, a further six-point deduction was imposed prior to last season.
However, within weeks news emerged that arrangements had been made to settle monies owed under the CVA, so newly appointed manager Steve Evans began assembling a useful squad despite a restricted budget.
Youthful but talented defensive duo Jamie Stevens and Glenn Wilson were accompanied in the side by England C International striker Jon-Paul Pittman, who bulged the onion bag sixteen times throughout the campaign, whilst 22-goal forward Jamie Cook, keeper Ashley Bayes and midfielders Dannie Bulman and Thomas Pinault added crucial experience.
Eye-catching league results unfolded throughout the season, with 4-1 and 5-1 wins over Farsley and a 6-1 thumping of York nicely cradled by five-goal hauls over both Woking and Droylsden who, to rub salt into the wounds, were also demolished 8-0 in the FA Trophy. Town reached the quarter-finals of the Trophy and, despite an eventual exit to Torquay and a subsequent slump in league results, they rallied to finish the season with four wins in seven matches to secure a respectable 15th-place finish.
A new era dawned shortly before the end of the campaign when new owners took control of the club, thus injecting belief that Town can now operate cost effectively. Thankfully, the millstone of a points deduction will also be absent for the first time in three seasons.
The Squad
Evans fine-tuned his squad during close-season, and Canadian goalkeeper Simon Rayner was one of the last through the door when he made a surprise move from Torquay. Rayner, who spent three years in the Football League with Lincoln, arrived shortly after Sam Rents who has become the regular left-back since signing from Brighton. In central defence Adam Quinn and Jake Wright have become mainstays following their double switch from crisis club Halifax, whilst the right-back position has generally been filled by youngster Glen Wilson, who can fill in at centre-half when required. The latter two have suffered knocks recently, but should be back this Saturday. If one or both do not make it, then they will be capably replaced by Jamie Stevens, Chris Giles or Bradley Thomas, who played under Evans at Boston.
The Halifax connection extends to midfield, where former Shay favourite Lewis Killeen operates on either flank. The speedy 26-year old causes problems for any defence at this level, but is another who has suffered with injury of late.
Evans (right) hopes to have Killeen back in the starting line-up on Saturday and, if so, he will be mirrored by danger man Michael Malcolm on the opposite wing. Malcolm, who scored against the U's at Weymouth earlier this season, has recently signed on loan at the Broadfield, and will amply compliment the midfield.
The scramble for the two central positions will be between Malcolm's former Weymouth team mate, Simon Weatherstone, who has four goals this term, former Bradford man Danny Forrest, ex-Wycombe stalwart Dannie Bulman, and Thomas Pinault, who can also be utilised out wide. Crystal Palace loanee James Dayton is another option.
Town had a five-figure bid for Weymouth forward Stuart Beavon rejected this week, but Evans still has goalscoring talent at his disposal. Jamie Cook, who reverts to playing as an attacking midfielder should Town adopt a 4-5-1 formation, appears to be the man with the golden touch this season. The 29-year old who was also with Evans at Boston, has eight goals to date, whilst pacy strike partner Jon-Paul Pittman has bagged a further five. Anton Douglas, the much travelled Isaiah Rankin and vastly experienced Steve Fletcher are regular bench warmers, but the backup trio have scored just one goal between them; which could explain the aforementioned Beavon bid. Meanwhile, Fletcher was this week connected with a move back to his old club Bournemouth and a liaison with ex-U's boss Jimmy Quinn.
This Season
A mixed bag of results greeted the new season, with their 1-0 opening day home defeat followed by a similar loss at Forest Green. Nevertheless, the 3-0 away triumph over Lewes and a head-turning 3-1 win against Torquay at the Broadfield kick-started a barnstorming run of seven victories and two draws in nine league matches.
The home fans were in dreamland as maximum points were gained over Grays, Mansfield and surprise package Kettering, whilst Northwich were despatched thanks to Jamie Cook's double in a five-goal salvo. Centre-half Adam Quinn was on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw at Weymouth, whilst fellow defender Glenn Wilson scored a late equaliser at Stevenage. Oxford were speechless as Evans' men left the Kassam Stadium with three points thanks to the Pittman/Cook double-act securing a 2-0 success and place at the summit of the Blue Square Premier table. The never-say-die ethic instilled into the squad also paid dividends at Rushden, where Steve Fletcher's injury-time goal rubber-stamped a 1-0 win.
Unfortunately a minor injury crisis has since put paid to their fine form, and a poor spell of one victory in five league games has seen top spot relinquished. Glen Wilson, Lewis Killeen, Jake Wright and Simon Weatherstone have all been regulars in the physio's room and, with those key players missing, awkward trips to Burton and Histon have resulted in defeat. Albion inflicted a 2-1 loss, despite Glenn Wilson putting Town 1-0 up, whilst the Stutes ground out a 1-0 victory at the Glass World.
There was a 4-0 home thumping over Barrow to enjoy, but the faithful were left doubting their side's long-term resilience after Forest Green overhauled a two-goal deficit to claim a point in Sussex. Blue Square South side Havant then ended FA Cup hopes when they left the Broadfield with a shock 3-0 victory. Their last league outing was the televised visit to Salisbury, where an under-par performance was highlighted by Simon Rayner's goalkeeping howler in a 2-0 reverse, whilst last week's 3-0 win over Havant in the Setanta Shield gained some revenge for the recent FA Cup misdemeanour.
Previous Meetings
Eight matches spanning five decades are recorded between us; United leading the way with four wins. Town have bagged three victories, and the remaining game ended in a draw. United travelled to The Broadfield Stadium in August 1969 for our first ever encounter and returned with a 2-0 Southern League win thanks to an own goal and Roly Horrey strike. This has proved the U's only triumph in Sussex, with Town recording 2-1 successes during the 2005/06 season and our last visit in March this year.
United claimed a point in 2006/07, Robbie Simpson putting the U's ahead (above) and Town getting their share of the spoils with a late equaliser by former U's striker Marcus Richardson [report].
Our first game at the Abbey in February 1970 resulted in an 8-0 romp for United, who were Southern League Champions elect. Our return to non-league in 2005/06 meant a renewal of acquaintances and, a 2-1 win unfolded in October of that season, as it did last year when Rob Wolleaston's winner sealed victory [report].
Town picked up their only away triumph in 2006/07 thanks to another 2-1 scoreline.
Doug Shulman
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