United host Ebbsfleet United at the R Costings Abbey Stadium this afternoon, and will look to improve on a disappointing run of just one win in the past seven games. Our visitors, though, have struggled to gain any momentum this season and reside in 22nd place having won just once to date during the current campaign.
Expectations at Stonebridge Road, home of the Fleet, have been relatively high since Liam Daish's men concluded the 2006/07 season in seventh place. They went into the final day of that campaign still hoping to snatch a play-off place, but a 2-1 reverse to Champions Dagenham & Redbridge laid their hopes to rest. Nevertheless, optimism was carried into the new season.
Before a ball was kicked, though, and with an eye to the future redevelopment of the town, the club boldly decided to change its name for the forthcoming campaign onwards. Therefore, it was announced that Gravesend & Northfleet would be consigned to the history books, and that the Kent outfit should be known as Ebbsfleet United from thereon in. Naturally the decision was greeted with some controversy, especially amongst supporters, but there were still more surprises in store.
By November Fleet had lost just five League games, and were handily positioned just outside the play-off places. However, this good start was overshadowed by an announcement that the club was to be taken over by the Internet venture MyFootballClub, an innovative but debatable enterprise which allowed fans to own an equal share in the club for a £35 annual investment. This investment entitled the 'owners' to a vote in all decisions made at the club, including team selection and players transfers.
More than 30,000 signed up to the initiative, which poured £700,000 into the club, and the feel-good factor ensured a memorable end to the campaign as United were not only pushing for a play-off spot, but also enjoyed a trip to Wembley Stadium where they lifted the FA Trophy thanks to victory over Torquay.
However, last season was one of disappointment as Fleet failed to make the most of their momentum and an increased playing budget for Daish. At one point during mid-season they actually dropped into the relegation zone, partly due to another prolonged FA Trophy run, and pressure began to mount on the former Abbey legend. A late season scramble for points ensued, but thanks to six wins in their remaining thirteen matches a 14th place finish was secured.
Unfortunately interest in MyFootballClub has waned dramatically, and it was reported in some quarters that less than half their members renewed membership. This naturally reduced income and affected the operating cash flow, meaning key players were not retained during the summer. Daish was forced to restructure his squad accordingly, and the fact that just eight of last season's squad remain at the club highlights the problem unfolding. The club were also forced sell their long term Stonebridge Road ground to the local council, who in turn leased it back to them, whilst further turmoil surfaced when Chairman John Moules and his Chief Executive departed.
Talent in the shape of Stacy Long left for Stevenage, whist fellow midfielders Derek Duncan and Neil Barrett joined AFC Wimbledon and York respectively. Also joining Barrett at KitKat Crescent was ex-United forward Michael Gash who departed for an extraordinary £55,000 despite scoring just eleven league goals last term. Amongst others exiting Stonebridge Road were striker Luke Moore, who also signed for Wimbledon, whilst long-serving Sacha Opinel and Danny Slatter opted for moves to ambitious Farnborough.
A clutch of former United players have joined the Ebbsfleet ranks. Firstly Magno Vieira (above) ended his disappointing spell at Wycombe, whilst Jordan Collins, a scholar at the Abbey before signing professional forms, escaped nightmare Weymouth. Gavin Heeroo, who donned the black and amber shirt nine times in the 2005/06 season, has signed from Blue Square South club Eastleigh.
Daish's one other signing of note was lightning front man Ishmael Welsh, who worried many a defender last season when turning out for Grays; his performances also gaining him England C honours and a Goal of the Season award for a wonder strike against Forest Green Rovers.
This season
Ebbsfleet began the campaign with a respectable 1-1 draw at Altrincham, but the 3-1 reverse to our own United three days later soon dampened enthusiasm amongst the faithful. Six games passed until victory was tasted when a 2-1 away victory at Eastbourne secured the three points thanks to a late Magno Vieira penalty. They failed to capitalise on their brief upturn in fortunes, though, and eight games have now passed since that win.
In front of the home fans this season, defeats have come against Hayes & Yeading, Oxford, Salisbury and United, as mentioned earlier, with creditable draws in the games with Kidderminster, Rushden, Wimbledon and, Crawley last Saturday, the only bright spots.
Away from home the win over Eastbourne has been punctuated by the draw at Alty and a 0-0 stalemate at Forest Green, although, three goal losses were inflicted by Mansfield, Stevenage and Kettering. A further loss came at Histon, who ran out 1-0 winners.
That single victory sees Fleet sitting perilously in the drop zone, with Daish's men having scored just eight goals all season. A mere three have been gleaned from their seven away games, so United will look to add another clean sheet to their record today.
Fleet will look for their first ever victory over United at the Abbey, having lost three and drawn four of their previous seven visits, the first of which dates back to the 1958/59 season. However, they will be boosted by the arrival of Peter Holmes, an experienced midfielder who played more than 100 games for Luton during their time in the Championship. The 29-year old signed yesterday from Harrogate.
Doug Shulman
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