Chris Vessey's guide to the National Conference teams Cambridge United will be facing this year.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY - 'The Stanley'

This famous Lancashire club was best known for being the part of a milk advert in the late 80's featuring two cheeky Scouse kids asking 'Who are they?' about the former League team. Accrington had massive financial problems in the early 60's and had to resign from the Football League. Many in the industrial town feared the famous name would disappear forever but after an absence of five years a new Accrington Stanley was formed and started life at the bottom of the Non-League pyramid. Many, many years of slow rebuilding followed and the club's policy of giving young locals a chance bore fruit when soon-to-be Premiership striker Brett Ormerod was sold to Blackpool for a then club record £50,000. This was topped months later when Doncaster signed Gary Williams for £10,000 more. The money provided financial footing for the future and much of the cash was spent on improving the 'Interlink Express' Stadium which now has a capacity of over 5,000.

The hard work paid off three years ago when Stanley marched to the Unibond Premier League Championship, winning it by a margin of 16 points, strikers Lutel James and Paul Mullin firing over 45 goals between them. Finally, Stanley were on the way to heading were they feel they belong. The club's first two seasons in the Conference to date have being one of stability and Accy can count themselves unlucky not to reach the play-offs last term.

Outspoken manager John Coleman has had a quiet time in the transfer market pre season, with more players leaving than arriving. The only arrival is Hereford defender Andy Tretton, but this week the Stanley were dealt a blow when leading attacker Lee McEvilly opted to join Wrexham instead of staying in Lancashire. A push for the play-offs is fully expected for Accy but Coleman will need to sign more players between now and August if they are to achieve that ambition.

ALDERSHOT TOWN - 'The Shots'

Aldershot Town can practically mirror their history with that of Accrington Stanley, because in 1992 The Shots became the first football club since Accrington to quit the Football League before completing their fixtures after being disastrously financially mismanaged for years previously. Similar to Stanley, Town started life bottom of the pile in the Diadora League but made much quicker progress in their rise to the top tier of Non-League football, and, at the time of writing, they are red hot favourites to win the Conference National title.

Current manager Terry Brown arrived at the Recreation Ground in 2002 as one of the most respected managers in the non league game. The former Hayes man transformed The Shots into an exciting attacking outfit who stormed to Isthmian League title with an average crowd of over 1,500.

In a moment of history, the club's first ever Conference game was screened in front of the Sky cameras against... ? The one and only Accrington Stanley! A 2-1 win followed, and the good results did not stop there, as the Shots steamrollered to the Conference play-off final only to be denied on penalties by Shrewsbury Town, who returned to the Football League at the first time of asking. Not put off by that failure, Aldershot converted to full time status last season and hit the play-offs yet again, only to be cut down on penalties by eventual winners Carlisle.

This season Town are favourites to go up despite losing key players. Brett Johnson, Will Antwi, Jon Challinor and Ray Warburton have all left for pastures new, with ex-Cheltenham skipper John Brough coming the other way to add experience to Brown's depleted squad.

ALTRINCHAM - 'The Robins'

Moss Lane outfit Altrincham were the non-league's fairy tale story last year, as manager Graham Heathcote led his low-budgeted, debt-ridden team to a return to Conference football when even the most die-hard fans were expecting a tough season of fighting relegation in the newly formed Conference North. Altrincham were founder members of the Conference way back in 1979 and stayed in this division for a staggering for 18 years until a bad financial status affected on the field performance and the club were relegated. The Robins bounced back to the Conference for one season only but were embarrassingly outclassed week after week and finished way adrift from safety.

Last season was purely a mid-table effort until a fantastic run of wins in the last ten games saw Alty just pip Harrogate Town to the final play off spot on goal difference. Even then, facing hot favourites Kettering Town, nobody gave them a chance until a fine extra time win in the second leg saw the Robins facing Eastbourne Borough at Stoke's Britannia Stadium, only 90mins away from a return to top level football. A 2-1 win followed and the Robins celebrated in style.

Graham Heathcote has stressed that the club will not make the same mistakes as past boards have and Alty will stay part-time and not splash the cash in a bid to maintain Conference status. Every player has another job and the club only trains three times a week, but Heathcote will be hoping the club's togetherness, grit and hard work ethic will at least make sure the Robins can compete with most this season. Anything above third bottom will be seen as a massive success for Altrincham.

BURTON ALBION - 'The Brewers'

History will be made in this Derbyshire town when Grays Athletic visit the brand new Pirelli Stadium on the first day of the coming season. Burton have finally left their old ground, Eton Park, after occupying that site for over 50 years. Albion manager Nigel Clough will hope the progression of a better stadium will help him build a better side that has consolidated for the past three years on their maiden appearance in the Conference. Clough took over the reins in 1998 and three years later was celebrating leading The Brewers to their first appearance at this level.

Despite being a relatively unknown non-league team for many years, lots of famous faces have passed through the old Eton Park ground. Ex-U's Andy Sinton and Ian Hutchinson are just two of the names attracted to Burton. In their three seasons in the Conference, Burton have threatened neither the promotion or relegation places, instead settling for mid-table mediocrity on all occasions. Clough has decided it's time to clear the decks and has released a number of players this summer and has many on trial at the club in an effort to progress as play-off challengers.

CANVEY ISLAND - 'The Gulls'

Canvey Island were hotly tipped to do well in the Conference last season after romping away with the Ryman League by 19 points, but only managed to scrape away from relegation with one game to spare. First day was a baptism of fire with a 700-mile round trip to Carlisle United, a game which they bravely drew 0-0. The problem for the Gulls was they were injury hit at the wrong times and had many a fitness problem with the club being part time, a situation that will stay the same this year. As soon as the season ended, Canvey manager Geoff King released six players, including talented striker Junior McDougald and defender Ollie Berquez. The only pre-season signing so far comes in the shape of Nathan Bunce, an experienced head acquired from Gravesend.

Of three names to look out for next year, U's fans will be familiar with two. Ben Chenery made nearly 100 appearances for the U's and is partnered in defence by ex-United defender David Theobold, who made a couple of fleeting appearances for Cambridge under John Taylor. The real danger for Canvey is prolific striker Lee Boylan. He scored 57 goals in the promotion season two years ago, and has amassed a total of 157 goals in three years at the Park Lane Stadium. Despite this hope, many are expecting Island to struggle again this year and indulge in a fight for survival.

CRAWLEY TOWN - 'The Red Devils'

Last season's table did not tell the real tale of Crawley Town's first year in the Conference. They finished 12th behind a host of teams all battling for the play-off spots, but with just three games left, five points separated the top eleven behind Barnet.

A slip in the last few games ensured Crawley's season looked worse than it was, and the fact that Town are still part-time makes their effort even better. Crawley arrived in the Conference after shocking the Dr Martens Premier Division by pipping Steve Claridge's big spending Weymouth to the title.

Manager Francis Vines hasn't rested on his laurels from last season and has secured the signature of ex-Premiership player John Robinson. Also arriving at the Broadfield stadium are fine attacking wingers Lee Elam and ex-Cambridge United player Richard Hodgson.

Vines himself isn't a character to be messed with; during an away game at Woking, Vines was arrested as the match was in play for 'excessive use of bad language' and let off with a caution. Vines has vowed not to change his robust style for anybody despite his minor brush with the law.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE - 'The Daggers'

D & R have had a somewhat chequered history in the Conference and there is only last season which can be considered a normal steady season. The Daggers were only formed in 1992 but finished 3rd in the Conference at the first time of asking. They suffered relegation three years later but after an absence of four seasons the Daggers were back with a vengeance, and they were third in their first campaign back before the real controversy hit the fan. After Garry Hill had led the Daggers to the top of the Conference for most of the season, they were pipped at the post by Boston United on the last day. Weeks later and it transpired Boston had been making illegal payments to a number of players and a furore ensued. Tragically for the Londoners, Boston were let of with a fine and a points deduction in their first Football League season and the Daggers were left in the Conference, despite protest.

In spite of this setback, Dagenham buckled down the season after and reached the first ever Conference Play-off Final against Doncaster Rovers. More heartbreak followed as Francis Tierney netted a 'golden goal' to send Rovers back to the Football League. Manager Garry Hill left for Hornchurch, and so did a few ex-Daggers. The man left to rebuild D&R in their new full time role is John Still, the ex-Barnet manager. Still has made four signings this pre season, including promising youngster Sam Saunders, as D&R look to rediscover their promotion pedigree.

EXETER CITY - 'The Grecians'

Exeter City joined the Conference after relegation from the Football League three years ago, suffering a final day drop after over 80 years milling around the lower divisions. Despite Gary Peters' best efforts in saving the club, he declined the offer to renew his contract so The Grecians opted for young up and comer Eamonn Dolan, and his effect was imminent. A solid first season saw City finish sixth, just outside the play offs, though this finish looked unlikely considering the lengthy financial problems and administration they suffered that year. Sadly Dolan opted to join Reading's youth coaching set up, handing his role over to 38 year old Alex Inglethorpe.

Ex-directors were investigated and arrested, the club were threatened with court action from many creditors, but the on field play kept the supporters' faith. Last season was made memorable by the FA Cup Exeter had, gallantly holding Man Utd at Old Trafford before going down in the replay. The games earned City nearly £1million pounds, which eased new manager Alex Inglethorpe's worries. Inglethorpe led Exeter to a repeated sixth place finish, blaming the distraction of the FA Cup for Exeter letting a near certain play-off finish slip.

Despite losing key players such as Sean Devine, Gareth Sheldon and Kwame Ampadu, Inglethorpe has strengthened the city squad with the quality of Jon Challinor, Gary Sawyer and Billy Jones. The Exeter boss has recently brazenly claimed he cannot see any other club topping this season's table other than themselves, but only time will tell.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS - 'Rovers'

The minnows from Gloucestershire find themselves gratefully back in the Conference after being reprieved from relegation after Northwich Victoria's ground issues saw them drop a league instead of FGR. So after the prospect of facing the likes of Eastleigh in August, FGR face the new Conference 'big boys' Cambridge United!

Despite only two relegated this season, FGR are hot faves for the drop and with the smallest average crowd and smallest budget they will find it hard to stave off a second successive relegation. Despite this, manager Gary Owers remains upbeat and will look at Rovers' excellent survival record in the Conference. FGR have inhabited this league for six seasons before their relegation year and have held their own every year, even once finishing ninth.

Lack of firepower was FGR's main problem last year, after losing goal getter Alex Meechan to rivals Halifax, Forest Green only managed one point in their first ten games, leaving the club no option but to sack Tim Harris. In came Alan Lewer, who briefly rallied the club with a few wins but even that was not enough and FGR were relegated. Lewer departed and Owers was drafted in when the news of a reprieve came. Despite the low budget he possesses, Owers has signed some former football league big names. Abdou Sall and Ian Foster come in from Kiddy, Sekani Simpson from Bristol City and the former Cambridge legend Paul Wanless have all joined the ranks of the part time club.

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET - 'The Fleet'

The man charged with leading Gravesend to glory is former U's legend Liam Daish. The tough defender found himself in his first managerial role midway through last season after the Fleet let a great start to the season slip and looked to be heading straight for a relegation scrap, before Daish used his skills to negotiate a steady finish for the Stonebridge Road outfit. To celebrate the club's third season of consolidation, the Chairman announced 'Fleet would be going full time. Daish has now been able to attract better quality players due to this and has already dipped into the transfer market, signing top striker Charlie MacDonald, experienced midfielder Bobby Bowry from Colchester, and two hotly tipped youngsters from Welling, Danny Slatter and James Smith.

One problem that could stop the Medway team progressing is the state of their Stonebridge Road ground. One side had to be shut for repairs midway through last season and the club were dropped from the LDV Cup for not meeting the appropriate standard.

GRAYS ATHLETIC - 'The Super Blues'

A first season ever in the Conference beckons for this Essex club after shocking the Non-League world by crushing all opposition to win the new Conference South by a country mile. Such was the financial strength of Grays, they signed players from the Football League without question, after Mark Stimson was given almost free run of the club chequebook when Grays were taken over by a multimillionaire consortium who earned their pennies distributing labour on the London Underground.

Ex-League stalwarts such as Leroy Griffiths, Aaron McLean, Ashley Bayes, Dean Brennan and skipper Stuart Thurgood all ensured the Blues had the necessary skills to win the Conf South. Grays also have ex-United striker Dennis Oli to thank for numerous goals, after leaving the Abbey for The Recreation Ground. Grays will be hoping poor attendances will improve with more good football, despite having to compete with many Premiership clubs nearby and a resurgent Southend. One minor disappointment for Athletic was the loss of Mitchell Cole to The Shrimpers, who swept the player of year awards with some dashing attacking play. Stimson is relying on last year's squad after so far only adding former Spurs trainee Jamie Slabber to the Grays ranks for next season.

Concludes on Thursday...

[Fixture List]

Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website (unless otherwise stated), is subject to copyright and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source.

AT050810