Chris Vessey introduces tomorrow's opponents, Forest Green Rovers.
To the outside world, this is just another Conference game, but to fans, players and officials of both teams, this game is absolutely massive.
Both teams lie floundering in the bottom reaches of the table, both teams have recently sacked their managers as a price for such a poor start to the season, and neither have a win to their name.
Forest Green yesterday named former Morecambe manager Jim Harvey (left) as their new manager while Cambridge will be led by caretaker coach Chris Turner and Chairman Lee Power.
Forest Green have had a nightmare season so far, losing five of their opening six games, an exact replica of Cambridge United's form, and manager Gary Owers was asked to leave his post after FGR lost 1-0 at home to Gravesend. Performances were poor, there seemed to be no response from the players after losses, so the board reacted swiftly and placed former Cambridge midfielder Paul Wanless in temporary charge.
'Wanny' as he's fondly known, saw 11 goals scored during his two game tenure as a 3-3 draw at Stevenage was followed by a 3-2 defeat at home to Woking, their last fixture to date. Wanless needs no introduction to Cambridge fans after spending seven successful seasons at the Abbey, most of them as captain.
335 appearances and 50 goals in every competition ensured 'Wanny' was established as a CUFC legend. His all action, committed style led to many fans commenting that if you cut Wanless open, he would bleed amber and black! He has also become a hero at Rovers, winning all the 'player of the year' trophies as well as finishing as top scorer.
Owers took charge at the start of last season, after the team were rescued from relegation due to Northwich's relegation for administrative demise. The season was long and hard, FGR often going long spells without wins, and they found themselves in a huge relegation battle with Southport, Scarborough and Tamworth. It went down to the last game of the season, Tamworth facing Crawley at home whilst Forest Green anticipated a visit from Stevenage. Tamworth battled gamely but could only register a goalless draw, whereas goals from Bruno Texiera and Julian Alsop secured a 2-0 victory and assured Rovers one more season in the Conference National. It was the club's last ever game at their ground 'The Lawn', as they have recently moved to a 6,000 capacity stadium just yards up the road from their old stomping ground.
Forest Green were also embroiled in a player scandal last season which saw Conference fans up and down the country criticise the club for their actions. It started when the FGR Press Officer alerted to the league and FA that an Altrincham player had been playing before gaining international clearance. After an investigation Alty were deducted 18 points which put them firmly in the relegation places, lifting Forest Green to safety. Fans from every club rallied to the help the Cheshire club, fans signing petitions and lobbying the Conference to give Altrincham their hard-earned points back, but sadly the appeal failed. Luckily Altrincham survived relegation due to Canvey Island pulling out of the league due to financial reasons.
With the expansion of the Conference meaning that four clubs will be relegated instead of two, FGR were hot pre-season favourites for the drop. To combat this, Owers set about overhauling his whole squad and a total of 10 players left whilst 9 were drafted in.
Wycombe were raided for striker Charlie Griffin and 'keeper Steve Williams on 12 month loan deals. Central defenders were in abundance as Christian Edwards (Bristol Rovers), Kevin Nicholson (Scarborough), Tony Butler (Blackpool) and Jamie Pitman (Hereford) were all brought in to shore up last season's leaky back line. The midfield was boosted by the arrival of Simon Clist from nearby Bristol City, and nippy winger Les Afful left Exeter for the 'New Lawn'.
Despite these impressive signings, FGR lost the backbone of last season's team. Skipper Damon Searle walked out after being asked to accept a reduced salary, Matt Gadsby yearned for a return to his native Midlands and promptly signed for Conference North outfit Hinckley. More significant was the loss of their prolific strike force as former U's striker Zema Abbey accepted a lucrative contract at Kettering, and cult hero Guy Madjo stunned all by leaving for newly-promoted Stafford Rangers. Madjo's goals and Abbey's hard work were pointed at as the main reason FGR stayed up.
This lack of striking options led to Owers making a brave but somewhat bizarre decision, signing a Polish striker on the strength of a DVD he'd made for himself! Arek Zarczynski made the film of his exploits in the Polish lower leagues and sent it to English clubs, and Owers took the brave decision to sign him, but Zarczynski has only made a solitary substitute appearance so far.
Goals have been a massive problem from the start of the season. Their first game was a 1-0 defeat at home to Dagenham, followed by comprehensive defeats to Exeter and Rushden, 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. The final straw came after the limp and lifeless 1-0 loss to Gravesend, and Owers was the first Conference manager sacked this season. Paul Wanless may not have won either of his two games in charge, but he instilled some fantastic fighting spirit. They were 2-0 down to Stevenage after 12 minutes yet stormed back to lead 3-2, Conference top scorer Steve Morison netting a heartbreaking injury time equaliser for the 'Boro. In their last outing, they were again 2-0 down early on to Woking, came back fighting to level 2-2 before a goalkeeping error led to a late winner for the Cards.
The visit to Forest Green will bring back a wave of emotions to Cambridge fans, as a new look United faced Rovers on the first day of last season, our first game ever in the Conference. It was no fairytale start though, as a wet and windy Lawn witnessed Scott Rendell heading the only goal of the game to secure a single goal victory for the hosts, sending the 550 U's fans home drenched and unhappy.
The only other time we've met was last January at the Abbey, Jon Richardson scoring as early as the sixth minute to give Forest Green the lead before Andy Duncan and Fola Onibuje smashed United ahead. Sadly for the U's they couldn't hold on and Bruno Teixiera equalised in the final minute to send a happy Forest Green back to Gloucestershire with a hard fought point.
Current Form -
FOREST GREEN ROVERS - LLLLDL (22nd)
CAMBRIDGE UNITED - LDLLLL (23RD)
Chris Vessey
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