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| Monday 29th September 1997 : Chenery update ... |
ITV Teletext reports that Ben Chenery is recovering at home after suffering concussion and a fractured collarbone in Saturday's game against Cardiff City. The 20-year-old defender required eight minutes of treatment on the pitch after he was accidentally kicked on the head and knocked unconscious. He was then taken to Addenbrookes Hospital where he was kept overnight on Saturday for observation.
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| Chenery - hospital |
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United physio Ken Steggles, who raced off his bench to attend to the player, said: "Ben was out cold when I got to him, he started having convulsions, so we had to stabilise him before he could be moved. He took a massive blow to the head."
United manager Roy McFarland commented: "Everyone is relieved Ben was not as badly injured as first feared. He had a traumatic reaction to the blow on the head, and we were very concerned about him."
Since arriving from Luton Town on a free transfer in the summer Ben has been first choice right wing-back, keeping last season's Player of the Year Matt Joseph on the bench. His injury gives Roy McFarland a selection poser as Joseph is currently injured too after straining a calf muscle in a reserve match. Another option might have been Chris Marsh who had been training with United since July, but the Walsall player joined Northampton Town on loan last week, unwilling to kick his heels for another fortnight waiting for a conditional transfer tribunal.
"Matt could just make it for Saturday's game at Lincoln," said McFarland. "But we won't know that until late in the week."
The United manager is widely quoted in today's national press saying that he can hardly believe his team sacrificed two points so late in their 2-2 draw with Exeter: "When you get to the 100th minute in a match and you are 2-1 up, you have a right to expect to win it." To the C.E.N. he added, "It's difficult to know what effect Ben's injury had on other players, but they should have been determined to go on and win the game for him."
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| Sunday 28th September 1997 : Chenery update ... McGleish twist |
Early news from the radio yesterday indicated that Ben Chenery suffered severe concussion and a suspected broken jaw. Today he is reported to be comfortable in hospital after having X-rays and is being kept in for observation. More news as it is available.
Also, a Leyton Orient source indicates that Scott McGleish has not yet signed for Barnet, as was widely believed last week. Although he watched the Bees in their Coca-Cola Cup defeat by Middlesbrough last week the striker apparently has yet to agree personal terms with the North London side.
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| Saturday 27th September 1997 : Late, late equaliser after Chenery carried off |
| Cambridge United | 2-2 | Cardiff City |
| Barnwell 50' | Greenacre 31' | |
| Barnwell 79' | Eckhardt 90' | |
| Att: 2,728 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery (Benjamin 90), Wilson, Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless, Rees, Taylor, Barnwell, Preece (Hayes 79).
Sub not used: Youngs.
Booked: Wilson (foul 58').
After battling back into this game United were denied all three points by a late, late equaliser, the result of eleven minutes injury time after a nasty-looking injury to United defender Ben Chenery.
United made a slow and uninspiring start, clearly missing Michael Kyd and the virus-stricken Martin Butler, and went behind to a Chris Greenacre goal after half an hour. A free-kick just outside our area was cut out by Jason Rees but, instead of playing the ball to safety, he attempted a sideways pass to Ben Chenery who was under pressure. Like many of Rees' passes this afternoon it went to a Cardiff player who ran forward and crossed into the box, and after bobbling around the ball was bundled home by Greenacre.
The same City player could have sent Cardiff in with a two goal lead at half-time, but he capped a flowing City move by hitting the crossbar just seconds before the break. Roy McFarland's team-talk no doubt blistered a few eardrums and United were back in the game four minutes into the half. David Preece launched a long ball over the top and Jamie Barnwell, restored to the starting line-up for the first time this season, out-paced his marker to pounce on a mix-up in the Cardiff defence. He flicked the ball over the goalkeeper and coolly rolled home the equaliser.
The second goal came from a sweeping move in the 79th minute - Paul Wanless won the ball deep in the United half and passed to Barnwell. The striker fed it out to Adie Hayes, who had replaced David Preece two minutes earlier. Hayes brought the ball forward and his deep cross was knocked back by John Taylor for the fast-arriving Barnwell to nod home.
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| Chenery - hospital |
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Pail Wanless had a chance to put the result beyond doubt but his shot was well-saved by Cardiff's substitute goalkeeper. The visitors pressed forward in search of an equaliser and forced a series of corners in the 84th minute, the last of which saw Ben Chenery clear a shot from former United midfielder Craig Middleton. But City's Mark Harris followed through with a late challenge and his boot thudded into the side of Chenery's head, leaving him prone on the ground. The reactions of the other players alerted physio Ken Steggles and he and the club doctor raced onto the pitch to treat the player for at least eight minutes. The ground was hushed and eventually Chenery was stretchered from the ground, apparently with a neck injury.
Trevor Benjamin came on as substitute with 94 minutes on the clock and United were clearly unsettled as play resumed, with the lively Benjamin fluffing two good chances to put the game beyond doubt. Cardiff kept the pressure on with three players up front, and the inevitable happened when Jeff Eckhardt pounced on a loose ball in the area and fired home through a packed goal mouth to give Cardiff their 101st minute equaliser. The referee blew the whistle for full-time within seconds of the restart.
City goalkeeper John Hallworth had to be substituted after suffering a head injury in the 28th minute and, although he and Chenery were taken to hospital, both are thought to have escaped serious injury. United stay fifth in the Third Division table.
United were due to give late fitness tests to midfielder David Williamson (hamstring) and defender Matt Joseph (calf) before the home game against Cardiff. Roy McFarland was hopeful that they would be fit and added: "We've been trying to get a midfielder or a forward in just to give us a bit of a lift, but that hasn't been possible this week."
| Friday 26th September 1997 : Marsh joins Cobblers ... tomorrow's team news |
Roy McFarland has suffered a frustrating week on the transfer front. On Wednesday striker Scott McGleish opted for Barnet instead of a return to Cambridge and now defender Chris Marsh, who has been training with United for two months, has joined Northampton Town on loan.
Marsh has recovered from a pre-season injury and has been waiting for United to agree a fee with Walsall so he can start playing matches. Walsall are thought to be holding out for £30,000 which is more than United are prepared to pay, and although United decided earlier this week to go to a conditional tribunal over his fee, Marsh is tired of waiting for his future to be decided.
McFarland explained in the C.E.N., "Chris wants to start playing after re-covering from injury. I appreciate that. But we couldn't pay the money Walsall were asking, for a 28-year-old player. It may not be the end of things because I'm not sure Chris can get a regular place in Northampton's first team."
The manager added that he has been unsuccessful so far in finding a loan striker to replace injured top scorer Michael Kyd: "We've tried for several players, but nobody wants to release people at the moment. We looked like getting a young Premiership striker, but then he was called up for the first team squad."
The C.E.N. reports that the Scott McGleish deal was hampered by Leyton Orient's demand for two players in exchange, thought to be Matt Joseph and 'Billy' Beall. However there are claims from Orient sources that the treatment he has received from some United fans since leaving the Abbey had an effect on his decision.
Tomorrow's team news: John Taylor is in line for a recall to the starting line-up against Cardiff City, after teenager Trevor Benjamin was preferred last weekend. Martin Butler will continue up front but McFarland has to decide between Jamie Barnwell, David Williamson or Billy Beall to play behind the front two.
Cambridge United (from): Barrett, Chenery, Foster, Marc Joseph, Campbell, Wilson, Rees, Wanless, Taylor, Butler, Williamson, Barnwell, Preece, Benjamin, Beall, Matt Joseph.
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| Thursday 25th September 1997 : McFarland close to signing |
The Cambridge United board have offered an extended deal to Roy McFarland and the manager is thought to be ready to sign in the next few days. A new two year contract replaces the eighteen month one offered when he took over from Tommy Taylor last November.
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| Roy McFarland |
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"He came into a very difficult situation last season after Tommy Taylor left. There were things, which I don't want to go into, that made it very hard for him taking over a new squad of players. He has worked to re-organise the squad, and we are starting to see the results of that already this season. On and off the field he can play an important part in the club's future."
McFarland, who has had previous spells in management at Bradford City, Derby County (twice) and Bolton, is happy with the new deal: "I had a good meeting with the chairman and there only remains a few small "i's" to dot, and "t's" to cross. I'm happy to sign a two-year contract. That would give me almost three years with the club, the period you need to have an effect.
"I believe I am a progressive manager and United can be a progressive club. There are great changes taking place in football and we have to be aware of them and attempt to make the most of them. To do that we have to get the structure of the club right, and we are working to do that."
Most supporters are impressed at how the team has not only survived the loss of five first-team regulars since March, but looks possibly stronger now McFarland has brought in his own choice of replacements.
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| Wednesday 24th September 1997 : McGleish rumours grow ... Marsh fee goes to tribunal |
19:30 update Scott McGleish has signed for Barnet in a £50,000 deal.
The rumours linking Leyton Orient striker Scott McGleish with a move to United seem to be gathering weight. The Cambridge Evening News carries the story today but reports that Roy McFarland is keeping his cards close to his chest and refusing to confirm or deny any bid for the player. The 23-year-old struck seven goals in eleven matches after arriving on loan from Peterborough last Autumn, but he followed Tommy Taylor to London in November. Since then the popular Scot has become a big favourite at Orient, as he did here, although he has failed to replicate the same rich vein of form in Taylor's new side.
After United inflicted a 2-0 home defeat on the O's earlier this month, McGleish was generous in defeat and praised United's style of play, saying, "We've been playing well lately, but United were better. They really pass it around." He is thought to be less impressed with Taylor's direct style, while McFarland is an admirer of McGleish and made an attempt to sign him just before last season's March transfer deadline. The deal fell through because Orient wanted defender Matt Joseph in exchange, and United felt that Joseph's transfer value was higher. Joseph is now out of contract and turned down the latest terms on offer a fortnight ago.
The C.E.N. reports that 'sources in London' claim United and third division rivals Barnet have both enquired about McGleish, but McFarland would only say, "All I can say at this stage is that I've made inquiries about a number of players. After poor displays in the last two games I feel we need a fresh face in the squad. There's no point naming players before any deal is done because negotiations are always difficult and there is never a guarantee of success."
However, Chris Marsh could become a United player in the near future after McFarland told second division Walsall that United will go to a conditional League tribunal over his fee. The haggling over a fee for the out-of-contract 27-year-old has dragged on for over two months, after Marsh originally joined United for pre-season training but picked up an injury. The right wing-back is now fully fit and our manager's determination to sort out his fee could possibly indicate that Matt Joseph will indeed be leaving the Abbey in the near future.
"We still can't use Chris in reserve games which is what we would like to do at the moment," said McFarland. "But at least this takes the process a step further."
Walsall's initial £80,000 valuation of their former captain has been cut by half, but the Cambridge Evening News suggests that United have offered less than £20,000. A conditional tribunal means United could still pull out of any deal at that late stage if the panel set what they saw as too high a price.
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| Monday 22nd September 1997 : McFarland contract talks ... Marsh deal closer? |
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| Roy McFarland |
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"I don't think one side can be blamed for the way it's dragged on," McFarland told the C.E.N.. "We've both had one or two queries which probably should have been sorted out by now. Hopefully, that will be within the next week. I'm certainly not ducking anything."
The manager has not made a decision yet on whether to seek a loan striker to replace Michael Kyd, out for at least a month with a cartilage injury. But on Saturday the team played poorly and became the first side this season not to score against struggling Doncaster.
"We'll see how it goes this week," said McFarland. "It's fair to say we didn't make anything happen around the 18-yards box. It was an off-day for both teams, a match of very poor quality, and we lacked that one player who could do something to spark us off. But it was an away point to follow the home defeat by Barnet, and it might prove valuable whoever it was against come the end of the season. I believe we should be capable of beating sides like Doncaster, although they have improved to some extent. They had two away draws before this match."
There were rumours that Scott McGleish - who has failed to find for Leyton Orient the rich vein of form he enjoyed for United last Autumn - might return in some form of player-exchange deal, but nothing more has been heard on that front. However McFarland hopes to finally agree something with Walsall this week about defender Chris Marsh, who has been training with United since pre-season.
He explained, "Chris was talking to the Walsall management over the weekend, and I'm due to follow up and see if we can finally work something out. The lad is fit and ready to play now, and it's very frustrating for him that we can't get a deal finalised. Northampton were keen to take him there on loan, but I understand he turned down that approach."
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| Saturday 20th September 1997 : Dire performance at Doncaster |
| Doncaster Rovers | 0-0 | Cambridge United |
| Att: 1,258 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless, Rees, Benjamin (Taylor 69'), Butler, Williamson (Barnwell 57').
Sub Not Used: Matt Joseph.
Booked: Rees, Butler.
United travelled to Belle Vue in search of a win to wipe out the memory of last Saturday's first home defeat of the season and to get the season back on track. Speaking ahead of the game, striker John Taylor said, "We have to put in a good performance, not just for the fans, but for ourselves too. We fear no-one, we respect everybody, but we're going there for three points."
Doncaster were still seeking their first home point of the season and there were noisy protests from the home fans over the chairman and the current disarray at the club. "It should be a good time to go there," Taylor commented.
Trevor Benjamin started his first game of the season in place of the injured Michael Kyd and Davey Williamson started in midfield, while Jamie Barnwell's mid-week brace against Cambridge City earned him a seat on the bench. This was a dour, dull game of few incidents and a singularly awful performance from both teams. United again lacked their early season fluency while Rovers seemed determined to scrape a point from the encounter. The industrious Benjamin could have put United ahead when he turned smartly but his shot was wide, and he had another good chance after leaving the defence for dead only to shoot weakly at keeper Gary Ingham.
Roy McFarland replaced Williamson with the pace of Barnwell twelve minutes into the second half in an attempt to shake things up, and Taylor replaced the industrious Benjamin on 69 minutes. Just a moment later Barnwell was involved in one of the U's few goalscoring chances when his cross was deflected in off Lee Warren's chest only to be ruled out for pushing. Then the final chance of the afternoon fell to Paul Wilson in the last minute, but the full-back's long-distance shot was wasted.
United's frustration led to a doubling of the bookings count for the season so far when Jason Rees and Martin Butler both received yellow cards in the late stages of the match for fouls. United stay in fifth place in the table while local rivals Peterborough United extended their lead at the top with a 2-0 win over Leyton Orient.
There was some better news regarding top scorer Michael Kyd who underwent an operation on his damaged cartilage last Wednesday. He is due at the club on Monday to begin his rehabilitation with physio Ken Steggles, who says the young striker could be back in action in four weeks.
| Friday 19th September 1997 : Foster signs ... McGleish swap rumour ... Danny stars in Europe |
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| Foster - signed contract |
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Last month he commented, "If it worked out I wouldn't mind staying. It's a good side to play in. There have been quite a few changes, but I think the way we've started off shows how the manager has sorted things out."
United travel to bottom club Doncaster Rovers tomorrow aiming for a win to get the promotion campaign back on track after last weekend's home defeat. We will be without top scorer Michael Kyd who suffered cartilage damage to his left knee during last Saturday's match, but there are no fresh injury worries after Wednesday night's victory in the Cambs. Professional Cup.
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| Orient target? |
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A few days ago there were reports - again from Orient - that Tommy Taylor had enquired about Matt Joseph, and last week the C.E.N. reported his interest in midfielder 'Billy' Beall. Right-back Joseph is still out of contract after turning down United's latest offer last week and 19-year-old Beall - who was a first team regular last season - has not featured so far this term. McFarland has been investigating possible second division replacements for Joseph, with Walsall's Chris Marsh training at the club and Leo Cotterell arriving on trial this week after being released by Bournemouth.
Former Abbey favourite Danny Granville replaced the suspended Graeme Le Saux in Chelsea's star-studded line-up last night to face Slovan Bratislava in the Cup Winners' Cup, and he stole the show! Chelsea were leading 1-0 with just 10 minutes to go when Danny - in his first European tie - collected a Dennis Wise centre, flipped it over the defender's head and volleyed home his first goal for his new club. The newspapers are full of reports about his "astonishing rise from the depths of the Second Division at Cambridge to the highest European level via a £300,000 move and in the space of just six months." (Nice of them to promote us a division!)
In the Daily Telegraph Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit spoke highly of the graduate from United's youth scheme and expressed his surprise at how easily the 22-year-old has made the jump in class: "It was an unbelievably good touch for the goal, and when you think that he's come from the Second Division and is able to do that in a European match it just makes me so pleased. It's hard to believe that he's learned so quickly in such a short time but it just proves why I use the squad. Everybody at this club has a chance to play and he's come in and shown just the right attitude."
Danny himself had this to say: "Just playing in Europe meant so much to me. To be honest I was over the moon when he told me I was in the team. But when the chance came it was really nervewracking. I didn't expect to be in that situation and I'm happy I was able to keep my composure and put it away."
| Thursday 18th September 1997 : McFarland has options up front |
After scoring both goals at Cambridge City last night Jamie Barnwell has pushed himself into the first team reckoning for Doncaster on Saturday. Thanks to his 44th and 74th minute strikes Cambridge United can put the Cambs Professional Cup in the Abbey Stadium trophy cabinet, and Roy McFarland admitted, "His performance has certainly given me food for thought. I was really impressed with Jamie's all-round performance, even more so than with his goals."
But the C.E.N. report that McFarland is due for talk with a striker about a possible loan move to the Abbey as he continues to look for options up front in the absence of injured top scorer Michael Kyd.
Cambridge City manager Graham Daniels praised Barnwell and particularly the timing of his first goal, just before the half-time whistle: "That was a big psychological factor, and in the second half their superior fitness let them take control. They played some good stuff and Barnwell was very impressive up front."
| Wednesday 17th September 1997 : Barnwell stakes his claim |
| Cambridge City | 0-2 | Cambridge United |
| Barnwell 44', 74' | ||
| Att: 223 |
United line-up: Shaun Marshall, Leo Cotterell, Adam Wilde, Jamie Murphy, Matt Joseph, Adie Hayes, David Preece (Rodostenhous 65'), 'Billy' Beall, Trevor Benjamin (Jamie Scales), Jamie Barnwell, Eddie Akuamoah.
Subs Not Used: Jones, David Williamson, Mark McCammmon.
Cambridge City tested a United XI all the way to the final whistle tonight as they contested the Cambs. Professional Cup for the first time since 1982, while Jamie Barnwell made a strong case for a recall to first team action with two well-taken goals at Milton Road.
United fielded a mixture of reserves, 'fringe' first teamers and trialists. Included were tricky winger Eddie Akuamoah - who starred against the U's in the opening pre-season friendly at Kingstonian after returning from a trial at Nottingham Forest - and Leo Cotterell who played at right wing-back after arriving on trial from second division Bournemouth. He has been released on a free transfer and the Cherries website describes him as a right-sided defender/midfielder. City included former Abbey favourite Michael Cheetham and released youth player Aron Rutter, plus former United trainee Andy Pincher who is now Steve Greenall's assistant club secretary.
The home side put Shaun Marshall under pressure from the very start and he produced a string of good saves to lay to rest the ghost of his second minute own goal in the pre-season friendly against City. The 18-year-old goalkeeper kept City's lively Neil Harris and Simon Ullathorne at bay and United were fortunate to lead by a goal at half-time after Jamie Barnwell's cool finish seconds before the whistle. Barnwell struck a low shot past Danny Kelly from 15 yards after trialist Leo Cotterill's right-wing cross was only half cleared.
According to Mark Johnson on the Abbey Update David Preece then ran the midfield for 20 minutes before being withdrawn for trialist Rodostenbos, and 18-year-old Adam Wilde was particularly impressive on the left. After 74 minutes Barnwell headed home a Adie Hayes cross and he might have had a hat-trick, but blazed over with just the highly-rated Kelly to beat. City kept the pressure on and Marshall had to be alert to maintain the clean sheet, denying the hard-working Neil Harris three times.
Before the game Roy McFarland warned that he would try to bring in a loan signing to replace the injured Michael Kyd, if no-one impressed him sufficiently tonight, so Jamie Barnwell will be hoping he did enough to earn a recall. "It should be a very interesting game tonight," said the manager, "the chance is there for someone to make his mark."
Midfielder Davey Williamson, who has recovered from a virus, was an unused substitute tonight but like Barnwell he will be hoping for a recall at the weekend, while last season's Player of the Year Matt Joseph played tonight and will also be keen for first team action.
| Monday 15th September 1997 : Huge Kyd blow |
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| Kyd - sidelined |
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Disappointed manager Roy McFarland said, "It's a bad setback for Michael and for the side. He's been producing his best form this season after a good build up during the summer. Now we've got to see whether we have the player to come in and fill his place, or whether we need to try to get someone in on loan. We have Trevor Benjamin and Jamie Barnwell in the squad, plus the option of moving Martin Butler up front again, and bringing in midfielder David Williamson. We have the Cambs Professional Cup match at Cambridge City on Wednesday night when we may be able to try out a few things."
20-year-old Kyd got off to a great start this season, scoring five times in the last eight games and racing up the goal-scorers chart, but the injury occurred in the 65th minute of Saturday's match. He was racing towards the touchline when he twisted sharply to try to stay on the pitch.
Club physio Ken Steggles explained, "Rotating the knee like that is a major cause of cartilage damage. It was too soon on Saturday to make a definite diagnosis, but Michael was unable to straighten the leg fully, and everything points to some tearing of the cartilage. We should know the severity of the injury this week after he gets keyhole surgery to examine the knee."
The loss of the club's leading goal-scorer added salt to the wound inflicted by the 3-1 home defeat by Barnet, particularly as two of the goals came from Peterborough old-boys Ken Charlery amd Greg Heald. Roy McFarland rued one short spell after the break when United had the chances to get into the game but Kyd hit the side netting and Martin Butler shot straight at Harrison after bursting into the box.
"An equaliser then would have been the lift we needed, but Michael was having a poor game, and the keeper made a good save with his legs from Martin." He described it as "a poor performance all round" and added, "We persuaded some more fans to turn up, but we let them and ourselves down. Our passing was poor and we made too many wrong decisions."
Barnet manager John Still commented, "I think we proved the Peterborough result was a one-off. Cambridge were outstanding at Orient, but we were well worth the points today."
| Saturday 13th September 1997 : Kyd stretchered off during first home defeat of season |
| Cambridge United | 1-3 | Barnet |
| Taylor 84' | Charlery 40' | |
| Devine 73' | ||
| Heald 80' | ||
| Att: 3,395 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster (Preece 78'), Campbell, Wanless, Rees, Kyd (Williamson 65'), Butler, Taylor.
Sub Not Used: Matt Joseph.
United crashed to their first home defeat of the season this afternoon and slipped to fifth in the table, a point off the leaders. We had a good early chance to take the lead when Martin Butler burst through after nine minutes but shot straight at Barnet 'keeper Lee Harrison. Despite playing some attractive football the U's lacked the fluency of previous games with Barnet always looking the most dangerous side, and it was no surprise to see ex-Posh striker Ken Charlery put the visitors ahead five minutes ahead of half-time. He hit a cracking shot from the edge of the box and then taunted the United fans behind the Newmarket Road End goal by celebrating right in front of them with a cupped hand behind his ear, a reaction to the 'welcome' he had received earlier.
After the break United tried hard to battle back into the game but we were left a striker short when Michael Kyd was stretchered off after 65 minutes, the extent of his injury unknown. He was replaced by Danny Williamson who played an attacking midfield role while Martin Butler partnered John Taylor in attack. United were always chasing the game which was bound to leave gaps at the back, gaps which were exploited by Sean Devine after 73 minutes and Greg Heald on 80. Devine was presented with a tap-in from close range when Scott Barrett could only palm a left wing cross straight at him. Then - just after towering defender Colin Foster was replaced by midfielder David Preece - Greg Heald, another ex-Posh player, headed home from a corner.
John Taylor gave United some late hope with a goal on 84 minutes but there was still time for Scott Barrett to save a poor Devine penalty in injury time after Dean Samuels was adjudged to have been brought down in the area.
| Friday 12th September 1997 : No change as United seek fourth in a row ... Thommo can leave |
Roy McFarland is set to name an unchanged side tomorrow as United go in search of a fourth straight win. Barnet, who were on the end of a 5-1 defeat by Peterborough at the weekend, are the visitors tomorrow afternoon to what McFarland says has to become "fortress Abbey."
He said, "We have to take Barnet's loss last Sunday as a freak result. Their form says they're better than that."
Defender David Thompson has been transfer-listed after two-and-half years at the club. He signed a new contract in March but his first team opportunities are currently limited by the form of Colin Foster, Marc Joseph and Barnet old-boy Jamie Campbell. Supporters will hope that Thompson going on the list might signal the imminent signature of the commanding Foster!
| Wednesday 10th September 1997 : Foster and Campbell to sign long-term? Marsh haggling continues |
Roy McFarland's team restructuring continues with the news that defender Jamie Campbell is in talks about a longer-term contract. He signed a three month contract at the start of the season after arriving on a free transfer from Barnet, but his impressive displays seem to have earned him a more permanent deal.
This news follows rumours that Colin Foster will be offered a deal to stay with United for at least a year. The veteran defender and crowd favourite is currently on week-to-week terms but it looks as though the club have decided they cannot risk the possibility of either Campbell or Foster being snapped up by another club.
Roy McFarland is pressing ahead with his bid to sign defender Chris Marsh from Walsall. He is understood to have made a fresh approach for the highly-rated full-back now that Marsh has recovered from a groin strain, and hopes to agree a fee so that the 27-year-old can play some reserve games and get match-fit.
Walsall have blocked McFarland's request to play Marsh in the reserves and although United could sign the out-of-contract player and let a transfer tribunal decide the fee, United wish to avoid that step. A tribunal was almost necessary last month over Marsh's Walsall team-mate Martin Butler, but the £22,500 fee was agreed the day before.
Brighton midfielder Jason Peake is due to play the second game of his trial spell in today's reserve match at Brentford. McFarland is looking for a powerful and pacy midfielder and believes Peake might be his man, but Brighton are looking to recoup the £90,000 they paid Rochdale for him last season.
| Monday 8th September 1997 : Matty turns down new deal ... United's stewards the best qualified! |
Matt Joseph has turned down the club's latest contract offer and will remain on week-to-week terms for the time being. Last season's Player of the Year is believed to want to keep his options open with a one-year deal while United want him to sign a two-year contract.
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| Matt Joseph |
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Joseph watched as his out-of-contract colleagues Craddock and Hyde made big money moves in the summer but despite his ambition to move to a bigger club United did not receive a firm offer for Joseph. He is now fit again after a pre-season injury but he is being kept out of the side by summer signing Ben Chenery.
Roy McFarland is still hopeful that an agreement can be reached with the talented right-back, telling the C.E.N., "After the latest negotiations broke down Matt said to me 'Is that it then?' But I said no, we were still prepared to talk. There's a chance Matt can come up with some other suggestion which would suit us both, and I have enough respect for his ability as a player to listen to him."
According to the message board on the Leyton Orient official web site, the O's have made an enquiry about Matty and their P.A. announcer reported that from what he heard in the tunnel at half-time there is some obvious 'needle' between the two sides!
United dropped off the top of the table yesterday after local rivals Peterborough United beat Barnet 5-1 to go top on goals scored.
Sixty-nine Cambridge United stewards have been presented with their NVQ certificates at the Abbey Stadium after successfully completing a 16-month Sports Safety course. The pilot scheme was organised by the Football Licensing Authority and United were one of four League clubs, along with Leeds United, Scunthorpe and Bradford City selected to take part.
Stadium manager Ian Darler commented proudly, "It was an extremely comprehensive course. The details ran to more than 60 pages, covering aspects like first aid, crowd control and dealing with supporters' complaints. We knew we had a high quality team of stewards and that's been confirmed by almost everyone passing this test. There were only four failures and they were people who left for reasons unconnected with the course. At first I think quite a few were a bit daunted by the idea. Our stewards come from all walks of life, and for many sitting test papers is not what they thought they'd be doing when they volunteered to be a steward at a football club. But everybody has said how much they benefited from the course. They all feel they can do the job better for the experience."
| Saturday 6th September 1997 : Match reactions |
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| Roy McFarland |
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"It's early in the season, and what would a couple of away points matter at this stage? But our approach was completely professional, and I could see after the first ten minutes we were the likely winners. We should have won away at Scarborough, and were close to it at West Bromwich. Now beating a form side so convincingly will be a big step up for us."
However he refuses to get carried away by the fact that United have climbed ten places to the top of the table in the last six days: "Championships aren't won at this stage of the season. I subscribe to the Bill Shankly philosophy that says the season proper doesn't start until Easter. Then, if you are up the top, you can start thinking about winning something."
Leyton Orient manager Tommy Taylor was brutally frank about the performance of his former team: "They were better than us."
Former Abbey favourite Scott McGleish came in for the anticipated barracking from the 500 travelling U's but he was generous in defeat after United ended the O's three match winning run: "We've been playing well lately, but United were better. They really pass it around. Jason Rees in midfield was running it."
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| John Taylor |
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"He's young and has plenty of time to learn to make his game more complete. What he needs to do is just use his head a bit more, and I'm not talking about heading the ball. He goes off on those fast runs which worry defenders, but he just needs to think a bit more at times about his options, instead of running into trouble."
Of new signing Martin Butler, who cost £22,500 from Walsall at the start of the season, he said, "Martin is a bit older at 22, still learning, but already getting some great goals. I should think he's going to make a good living in the game."
'Shaggy' also acknowledges the competition for places which until recently kept him on the bench. "I don't mind competing for a place if the gaffer decides to use only two of us, and we all have to be aware that Trevor Benjamin is wanting a place, as well as Jamie Barnwell, and now Tom Youngs. As a team we have some work to do, as the last two home games showed, but we still got four goals in each. That's good finishing."
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| Ben Chenery |
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He told the C.E.N.: "I expected to have to bide my time for a while and win a place in the side, but Matt Joseph was injured and I got my chance straight away. It's what I came to Cambridge for, first team football. I didn't get a look in at Luton last season because Lennie Lawrence had a policy of using only experienced players. The youngest who played was 23. I made my debut at 17 for Luton in the FA Cup when David Pleat was there, so it was frustrating to have to spend all of last year in the reserves. Now I'm due to play four first-team games in nine days, which is great. It's hard work, especially at wing-back where you have to get up and down all the time, but I'm not complaining. I've always been a fit player, and when you are in a winning team like this you don't get any mental tiredness, you are looking forward to the next match too much."
Ben is glad he made the move, and the step down the divisions, to join United, saying, "There's a togetherness at the Abbey. You really feel part of the team, I did as soon as I came here, before I knew I'd be in the first team. At Luton there were 35 professionals and the young players would often be away from the seniors. Here you are working with them and learning from them all the time. I need that because I'd only played as an orthodox full-back before. It takes a while to know when to make your runs and when to get back as a wing-back. But playing in a successful side like this has given me the confidence to do quite well."
| Friday 5th September 1997 : Little and Large double act sends United to the top |
| Leyton Orient | 0-2 | Cambridge United |
| Kyd 34' | ||
| Foster 77' | ||
| Att: 4,638 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless, Rees, Kyd, Butler, Taylor (Preece 88)
Subs Not Used: Williamson, Matt Joseph.
United surged to the top of the Division Three table in impressive style, recording the third successive win. The goals at Brisbane Road came in either half and were courtesy of a 'little and large' double act of 20-year-old 5'8" Michael Kyd and 33-year-old 6'4" Colin Foster.
Martin Butler gave early warning of the firepower United have discovered this season by forcing Paul Hyde to concede a corner after six minutes when he tipped Butler's header over. The U's passed the ball well against Tommy Taylor's more direct side and the midfield were on top throughout, marshalled by the excellent Jason Rees. At the back, central defenders Foster, Marc Joseph and Jamie Campbell more than equal to the barrage of high balls launched in their general direction.
It therefore came as no surprise when Michael Kyd opened the scoring in the 34th minute for his fifth goal of the season. He had earlier been through on goal twice only to fire wide, but this time he walzed through the Orient defence and then watched his cross-shot curl past Hyde and bounce in off the post. The 700 United fans thoroughly appreciated his somersault celebration! Five minutes later Scott Barrett, a transfer target for Orient during the summer, preserved the lead when he tipped Simon Clark's header over the bar. In injury time his opposite number Hyde had to pull off a point blank save to deny Kyd.
The second half saw some robust tackling from Orient but United continued to press and Martin Butler saw his shot on the turn whistle just wide after 59 minutes. In the 67th minute the unpopular Scott McGleish gave the U's defence a scare when he got on the end of a cross, but Scott Barrett dived full length to deny him.
The match was settled with thirteen minutes to go when veteran defender Colin Foster headed home from a corner to score his first goal for United against his first club, Leyton Orient. He capped a super performance by blocking McGleish twice in the closing stages and his goal propels United to the top of the table, ahead of Exeter on goals scored.
| Thursday 4th September 1997 : Roy aims to avoid contract delays |
Yesterday Paul Wanless signed a new two year deal with the club and today Roy McFarland revealed that new offers are on the table for young midfielders Billy Beall and Adi Hayes.
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| Billy Beall |
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"I wanted to make sure we didn't get into the position of this summer when so many contracts were running out at the same time," said the manager, "Paul Wanless is a valuable member of the team, and Billy and Adi are young developing players."
Neither have featured in the first team so far this season after playing regularly last season and Beall is thought to have been the subject of a recent enquiry by Leyton Orient. O's manager Tommy Taylor brought Beall and many others through from the youth team into the first team when he was boss at the Abbey.
McFarland explained, "They haven't featured in the first team matches so far this season, but they need to be brought on in the right way. Because of the lack of experience in the squad previously they had to play more senior games than was probably good for them at the time."
Player of the Year Matt Joseph is still considering the new contract offered last week.
| Wednesday 3rd September 1997 : Wanless signs new deal - Arsenal player linked |
It was reported today that Paul Wanless has committed himself to the club by agreeing a new two year contract. The popular 23-year-old has become a firm favourite since arriving last summer and with an eye for goal added to his powerful running and uncompromising presence in midfield this is great news.
Roy McFarland is aiming to bring in another experienced player by making Walsall an offer for defender Chris Marsh, and he hopes to agree the terms of a two-year contract with the 27-year-old right back/wing-back soon. Former Walsall captain Marsh joined United for pre-season training but suffered a groin injury which restricted his involvement to part of the friendly at Wisbech. However he is now approaching full fitness and Roy McFarland has seen enough to want to add him to the squad.
McFarland told the C.E.N.: "Chris is the kind of experienced player we need in the squad. I'd like to get things sorted out soon, because he's at the stage of fitness where he needs to play in matches."
Marsh turned down an offer to join F.A. Cup semi-finalists Chesterfield in the summer, preferring United's style of play, and if Walsall do not accept United's offer - thought to be less than £20,000 - McFarland is prepared to go to a transfer tribunal over the out-of-contract defender. McFarland commented, "When we signed Martin Butler from Walsall at the start of the season we almost had an agreement on a joint fee, but now Walsall are asking for a bit more."
Looking back to last night's East Anglian derby win United skipper Jason Rees reflected, "We were giving the ball away too much. We knew we had the attacking players to win the game, but after the good start it took us a while to get on top again."
Roy McFarland admits he had to gee the team up at half-time and then watched them go out and score three goals. "It was a good win in the end, but for half an hour before the break we were awful. We stood off and gave Colchester the ball," he said. "We have to learn to keep playing on the front foot, especially after taking an early lead in a game. We scored some excellent goals again, and I should think the fans are fairly pleased after seeing eight in three days."
Hopefully the players will not need a half-time rocket on Friday evening when they travel to Leyton Orient for a reunion with former boss Tommy Taylor, assistant Paul Clark and striker Scott McGleish. It will be United's fourth match in nine days and there is sure to be a fierce atmosphere at Brisbane Road - after a one minute silence has been observed as a mark of respect to Diana, Princess of Wales.
U's Net has received an unconfirmed report that we may be about to sign Arsenal youth product Greg Tello. The 20-year-old is described as a short, versatile full or wing back who can play on the left or right (sounds like another Matty Joseph!), and he has spent the last five years progressing through the Arsenal youth set up. The source claims that Tello could sign for United in the next two weeks.
The Brighton and Hove Albion saga looks to be finally over. Dick Knight finally took over the Seagulls as chairman today -- and immediately removed unpopular chief executive David Bellotti from the club. He has promised cash for new players and will step up the search for a new temporary ground rather than continuing to use Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium which involves a 150-mile trip to watch "home" games. The previous regime sold the Goldstone Ground and the club nearly went out went out of business last season, but Knight said fans "would never have to go through the traumas of the last two years again".
| Tuesday 2nd September 1997 : Derby romp takes U's to third |
| Cambridge United | 4-1 | Colchester United |
| Butler 6', 47' | Gregory 37' | |
| Taylor 62', 69 | ||
| Att: 3,264 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless, Rees (Preece 84), Kyd (Youngs 87), Butler, Taylor.
Sub not used: Matt Joseph.
United won this East Anglian derby by a flattering margin but until a Peter Cawley error on 62 minutes the U's were looking far from certain to take all the points. After Saturday's match it was no surprise to see super-sub John Taylor included in the starting line-up for the first time this season, replacing Davey Williamson who is laid low with a virus. Youth team starlet Tom Youngs was included in the 14 for the first time and warmed the bench with player-coach David Preece and Matt Joseph.
United started well and in the sixth minute a Paul Wanless shot at goal was palmed weakly away by Carl Emberson into the path of Martin Butler who swept the ball home. After that initial flurry the visitors pressed and began to control the midfield, keeping the U's on the back foot. They were denied by Scott Barrett on the half-hour as he made a great save from Tony Adcock, but they continued to look dangerous and scored six minutes later when David Gregory got on the end of a Mark Sale knock-down.
Roy McFarland was less than impressed with the defending against Shrewsbury on Saturday and he probably had words again at half-time, because United restored the lead just two minutes after the break. Taylor did well to earn a corner which Paul Wilson took, and Martin Butler added his second - and his fourth in the last three games - with a powerful header from distance. Again Colchester fought back and United were unable to settle into their game until Peter Cawley's bad error after 62 minutes. He was robbed by Jason Rees who fed the ball to John Taylor, and the big striker took advantage of Emberson's indecision with an excellent chip.
United made sure of the points after 69 minutes when Ben Chenery fed Michael Kyd, the young striker rode a challenge on the right and picked out John Taylor who finished with a great rising volley from just inside the area. McFarland treated 17-year-old Youngs to a three minute run-out as a replacement for Michael Kyd and with his first and only touch of the game the youngster had an injury time shot at goal which was blocked. His next chance will probably not be long in coming.
United rose to third in the table after this game and with eight goals from the last two games the players will be full of confidence as they go into Friday's rescheduled game at Leyton Orient.
United have no injury worries ahead of tonight's local derby against Colchester United at the Abbey Stadium, although a virus has been sweeping through the youth team. Roy McFarland has hinted at team changes and 17-year-old starlet Tom Youngs is included in the squad after impressing in training. John Taylor made a good case for a first-team recall on Saturday and David Preece and Matt Joseph are experienced and fit for first-team action. However sweeping changes are unlikely after the weekend's 4-3 win that took us up to seventh, but the first team will be hoping for a repeat of last week's reserve team trip to Colchester when they won 3-2.
Roy McFarland said ahead of the game, "We've got to be strong here at the Abbey Stadium. It gives the supporters a boost and it gives the players a boost. We've had a good talk about what happened on Saturday," he added. "We weren't very professional in that last spell, and it almost cost us the win. When you are 4-2 up, with 19 minutes to go, you don't go chasing a fifth goal and leave yourself open in defence. It's a derby game tonight, and they can be one-off matches. There should be a good atmosphere, with a fair bit of a away support and I should think we'll react well to that."
United old boys Richard Wilkins and Mark Sale are set to return to the Abbey with Colchester tonight. Midfielder Wilkins has scored in their last two matches and the towering Sale has made a habit of scoring against the U's in recent years!
The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place on Saturday and the football programme has been cancelled, in common with many other events. The clubs were given the option of rearranging their matches for Friday or Sunday and Cambridge United's third division match at Leyton Orient has been brought forward to Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
| Monday 1st September 1997 : Weekend round-up |
Roy McFarland was thoroughly under-whelmed with the defending in Saturday's seven goal win over struggling Shrewsbury. While both sides were guilty of sloppiness at the back, McFarland pointed to Scott Barrett's injury time point-blank save when the score was 4-3, and hinted at changes to the team: "Every player owes his win bonus to Scott," he said. "I won't put up with that sort of performance. We'll get that sorted out."
McFarland's strategy to add the pace of Davey Williamson to the midfield was undone when he had to withdraw the youngster five minutes before half-time, apparently affected by a virus which has affected some of the youth team. The decision over who should replace the Northern Irish player proved to be vital in the second half. Instead of Williamson's natural replacement, player-coach David Preece, McFarland opted for the height and experience John Taylor could offer to the attack and tucked Martin Butler in just behind Taylor and Michael Kyd. 'Shaggy' rewarded the manager by inspiring two second half attacks inside five minutes to restore United's lead.
It has emerged that McFarland made a cheeky enquiry about £250,000 rated Torquay striker Rodney Jack. The 24-year-old Jamaican has been watched by several Premiership clubs and has been on trial at Newcastle United and Sunderland. Torquay manager Kevin Hodges told the Devon press that although offers have not been forthcoming from the higher division clubs who have watched Jack, there had been a bid from Cambridge.
The C.E.N. were unable to extract a confirmation or denial from Roy McFarland but he did say, "We are asking about the availability of players all the time, it's an ongoing thing. All I can say about Rodney Jack is that he is a highly-rated striker at this level."
Brighton midfielder Jason Peake started a delayed trial at the Abbey today and may feature in a reserve match later in the week as McFarland seeks an injection of pace and power to the midfield. Yugoslavian goalkeeper Sasa Ilic has left United after a short and unsuccessful trial spell.