U's fan Chris Vessey talks to Nick Doyle, 38, a Cards supporter from Woking, currently working as an Electrical Building Services Engineer.

CV - The sacking of Glenn Cockerill was the end of an era for Woking FC. Was it the right time to give him the chop or should he have had one more shot at promotion?

It was right Glenn went at the end of last season, many consider he shouldn't have been given last season at all.

The style of football played under Glenn was fairly unattractive but whilst we had a 20 goal a season forward like Justin Richards it was effective, which was enough to keep most fans happy.

When we lost Justin and Glenn then signed on the same underachieving players for another season it wasn't going to please the fans.

As the results took a downturn Glenn couldn't seem to change his tactics from the route one style.

CV - It seemed well known that Neil Smith was about to take over after a successful spell as caretaker-manager, so why did the board plump for Frank Gray, who's track record is hardly glittering?

I don't think anyone knew who was going to get the job until the last minute, fans may have wished for Neil to get it but he was not a certainty by any means. Neil Smith is a Woking legend, he would give everything on the pitch, but as a manager or even a coach he had little experience. I don't think Neil would have been right for the job at Woking (well not yet anyway) and thankfully the board opted to go with someone with more experience. Frank did very well at Farnborough under difficult circumstances and a tight budget. His time at Grays was cut short, but I think the recent manager history at Grays tells its own story.

CV - How has Gray done in his short time in the job?

Well our pre-season was terrible, and there were certainly concerns that we wouldn't cope if we couldn't beat teams a few leagues below us. Frank pointed out at the fans' forum that you get no points in pre-season and that we would come good. Three games into the season and we are undefeated, playing neat football and don't look overawed. I'd say Frank is doing fine.

CV - All of his new signings were young players from the feeder leagues - is there not a worry a lack of experience could see you struggle this campaign?

There was a real worry, particularly during pre-season, but so far we've certainly held our own. Rushden & Diamonds was the real test in my opinion; at the end of last season they easily beat us, against our 'kids' this season we matched them.

Two seasons ago I said that Dagenham would struggle because they had signed kids from lower leagues and in their first season together they struggled a bit, but we all know how well they did once they had gelled. I'm not saying we will do the same but from what I've seen so far I don't think we will struggle as much as last season.

CV - In the summer your chairman claimed if big changes weren't made, the club would go into administration. What's the story behind that?

It has long been known we have spent well beyond our means. We had some very successful years in the FA Cup, as some Cambridge fans may remember, and we carried on budgeting that we would maintain that success. Sadly we didn't, which has led to our current position. We need to develop off field income streams, this is only possible with ground redevelopment.

Chris Ingram has very generously supported the club but that support cannot continue forever. If we can't develop the ground, a process that has been dragging on for a few years, then we will have to slash our budget severely. It may not be possible to do that, leaving the club at the end of the season with debts that Chris Ingram won't fund. Any club with debts they can't pay ends up in administration. Chris Ingram has indicated if we get permission for the redevelopment he will continue the funding of the club until it is completed, so at the moment the whole thing is in the balance.

CV - You have former U's Liam Marum and Danny Bunce in your squad, how are they doing for Woking FC?

Liam has looked brighter after a few games under his belt, but recently he's been injured so it's difficult to say how he is progressing.

Danny has solved a left back problem we've had for a few years. He is willing, a hard worker and takes a mean free kick. We were surprised you released him, but very grateful.

CV - Where do see Woking FC in five years time?

Two choices with that one, with the ground development in place at least still in the Conference but possibly in League 2. Without it we will be in the Isthmian League somewhere.

CV - What has been your impression of Cambridge United since we entered the Blue Square Premier?

Your first season you were poor, last season you had certainly progressed, this season... well the table doesn't lie, does it? I've obviously only seen one of your games and you took a bit of time to settle in the game, but the attitude of your team in the way you fought to the finish shows you should be challenging at the top.

CV - And finally... what do you think the score will be on Saturday?

It will be a tight game but I think you'll run out 2-1 winners.

Many thanks to Nick for giving his time to answer these questions.

Chris Vessey

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