On Saturday 8th April, two new directors were appointed to the board of Cambridge United Football Club and were introduced to the crowd before kick-off. Local businessman Renford Sargent would have been known to some as the managing director of former shirt sponsors Premier Travel, but Paul Barry, raised in Cambridge and now based in Seattle, USA, will have been a new name to many apart from members of the Moosenet mailing list. He agreed to answer a few questions which might reveal more of the man described in the official press release, as I put him "On The Spot".

Here is the relevant material from Saturday's press release, then the questions:

Cambridge United have today confirmed the appointment of two new directors at a Board Meeting held at the Abbey Stadium this morning. The appointments take the total number of directors up to eight - the maximum allowed under the Club's articles of association. Chairman Reg Smart and his five existing directors agreed to extend the Board in order to bring in both new ideas and wider skills as the Club prepares for redevelopment and the continued implementation of its ambitious five year strategy.

Paul Barry (38) was born in Hauxton and educated in Cambridge before emigrating to the United States in 1983. He began a career in the travel industry and in 1990 formed his own company, Europe Express, which has been headquartered in Seattle since 1993. Paul began watching United in the Southern League days and attended most games at the Abbey from the early 1970s until his move to the US. He maintained his passion for United after emigrating but, until the advent of the Internet, had to rely on occasional trips to the UK and information from his father (who still lives in Cambridge, supports the Us and has been a season ticket holder for many years) to keep up to date with the Club.

Paul has been a shareholder for a few years and his business activities now provide him with more opportunities to spend time in the UK. He believes his years of working in the US, and his experience of a wide variety of successful marketing and sales techniques, will help position the Club as one of the premier sporting attractions in East Anglia which in turn will help United achieve its attendance and commercial revenue growth objectives.

Q. Can I start by asking for a brief description of your best moments as a Cambridge United fan?

Being on the touchline when we had a friendly at the Abbey against Chelsea, who had just won the FA Cup. Winning our first promotion to the third division in the mid 70's. Being one of the handful of Cambridge fans when the team played at some great old grounds and winning - Roker Park in the late 70's was one. The Maidstone playoff game stuck in the corner of the ground, the weather was miserable I recall, but we made it! Dion equalising in the quarter final game against Arsenal and believing for five minutes that we really could make it to Wembley.

Q. And your worst memories?

I've stored in the distant parts of my mind and mostly forgotten them!

Q. Whereabouts on the scale of 'best moments' will last Saturday afternoon come?

Its almost too early to say as my head has been spinning since! It's only after time that you can truly put it in context. Of course I'm honoured and privileged that I have been invited onto the Board. To be the centre of attention I never feel comfortable with, but the experience on Saturday is the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

When I left for the States in '83, all I promised my mother was that I would make my fortune and come back and help Cambridge United. I'm part of the way on the first with my business and have started on the second by joining the Board.

Q. Who are your past and current favourite Cambridge United players, and why?

Steve Fallon - Mr Dependable - gave 100% every game.

Alan Biley - just a great goalscorer with that Bay City Roller haircut.

Lindsay Smith - what he lacked in skill and finesse, he made up in strength. Opposition players soon knew he was on the pitch after one of his crunching tackles.

Today's players:
Tom Youngs - looks to be one for the future, seems to have the eyes of a goal scoring poacher.

Ian Ashbee - seems to enjoy himself on the pitch.

Q. Did you find (as I did) that your interest in the club was rejuvenated once you could keep up with events through the Internet?

Before the 'net, it was really hard to keep in frequent contact that is necessary to become absorbed by the team. Now, with all the various match reports, the U's website and the Moosenet mailing list, it's all real again and I'm an addicted fan.

Q. What will you bring to the club (apart from investment) and how much involvement will you have in the running of the club?

As the junior member of the Board, in both age and experience, it's a very early stage for me to comment. I shall be using my eyes and ears to learn as much as possible about the business and commercial operations.

Running a travel company, as does Renford Sargent, I deal in the customer service field, which I think can help the development into being a fan and family friendly club. As a general sports fan, I have seen in the States how the sports teams can work on different levels: - with businesses on the commercial side, and becoming a focal point in the community. Those are the areas that the Chairman has asked me to focus on and where I believe I can contribute the most.

Q. (fan's question) Have you invested the sort of figure that was spoken of in the press earlier this year i.e. up to £200,000?

I've purchased additional shares that are commensurate with being a director - but it's not that figure just yet. The general idea that writing a cheque is the solution to the club's problem I think is dangerous as the underlying problems of the yearly £500,000 shortfall is not being addressed. Look at what has happened at 'Boro with the open chequebook. The fans feel disenfranchised from the club. If Mr Boizot loses interest, from what little I've seen, the finances would be perilous.

Only by working with the fans, community and local businesses, can CUFC survive. The redevelopment of the stadium is an integral part of the restructuring that is necessary to bridge that financial gap.

Q. (fan's question) Do you and Mr Sargent foresee any changes in the way the club is run or structured, especially with the redevelopment in mind? If so what might they be?

As the junior member, even to Renford, I've got a lot to learn, so I can't honestly answer. My general thoughts are that there are other clubs who have redeveloped in positive ways e.g. Charlton and Bournemouth. There is a lot there to look at and learn from.

Q. (fan's question) Are you in favour of Coconuts being played after a win at the Abbey Stadium?

This is an easy one! Some people may think the tune is cheesy, but its a recognisable historical part of CUFC. Keep it!

Q. I know you've seen several games this season, so do you think we can stay in Division Two?

This is my sixth trip over this season from my home in Seattle, so I have to say yes, I really believe we can survive and are certainly good enough to stay in this division.

I would like to thank Paul Barry for taking the time to answer these questions, and if you have any comments about the 'On The Spot' series, please use this e-mail address: feedback@cambridgeunited.com