Cambridge United entertain fifth-placed Grays Athletic, who arrive at the Abbey on the back of a fine 2-1 victory at strugglers Droylsden. The good start to the season comes as a pleasant surprise to the Grays faithful who last season had to endure a campaign of five managers, 41 players and a relegation scrap they only avoided on the last day of the season.

The Blues' most impressive result so far was against Kidderminster Harriers, when Danny Kedwell's early hat-trick was just the prelude to a fine 5-1 demolition job. The season started with two draws, although the 1-1 clash with Woking hit the headlines after the Cards mistakenly scored a goal passing the ball back to the 'keeper. Ex-Grays manager Frank Gray ordered his Woking side to stand aside and let Ben Watson dribble through unchallenged to equalise straight from the kick off. Grays have lost just one game this season, at home to newcomers Histon but come to Cambridge unbeaten away from home.

The Manager - Grays are marshalled by none other than Justin Edinburgh, who most will remember from his playing days as a popular full back at Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990's. After years of learning from the likes of George Graham, the 37 year-old tried his hand at managing Billericay Town in 2003 before taking the reins at Fisher Athletic in 2005. His first season was triumphant and he led the club to instant success via the play-offs into the Conference South.

An indifferent start to the season saw Edinburgh chopped as early as November, and two months later answered the call of Mick Woodward to become Grays' fifth manager of the season. Justin's brief was short; he had to avoid relegation and he did just that, although after a defeat at Morecambe, Grays had to rely on other results to make them safe. Edinburgh has since spent the summer rebuilding last season's underachieving squad, pretty much releasing everyone and starting again.

So far the season has been kind to Grays with some good results, and with a settled side of his own players the Grays fans look to have found a manager to rival the ultra successful Mark Stimson.

The last 12 months - Last season was without doubt the worst campaign Grays had endured for many years. Constant manager changes, underachieving players, a drop in crowds and near relegation marking the clubs 116th year in existence.

After Stimson (pictured) had left in a blaze of glory, winning the FA Trophy, former Farnborough boss Frank Gray was appointed manager.

Things got off on the wrong foot before a ball had been kicked, with skipper Stuart Thurgood breaking his ankle pre-season. After a promising five game unbeaten stint at the start of the season, results and performances went dramatically downhill and Gray was sacked after an embarrassing FA Cup exit to Bromley.

In a bizarre move, chairman Mick Woodward announced he would be the caretaker-manager and his first game was a 1-1 draw with ourselves at the Rec'. Two games later Woodward openly admitted he was out of his depth and handed team affairs over to Andy King, of Swindon 1990's fame. King lasted no longer than a month before walking out, claiming the job to be 'impossible'. Ex-Weymouth gaffer Garry Hill was asked to be 'Director of Football', to which he agreed then reneged on the offer just 24 hours.

The fifth and final managerial appointment fell to Justin Edinburgh, who admirably took on a job which was becoming the Blue Square Premier's poisoned chalice. Edinburgh managed to steady the sinking ship and almost led the club to a successive FA Trophy Final outing but for a stubborn Stevenage, who beat Grays 2-1 in the deciding match. A last day defeat to Morecambe became irrelevant as Altrincham's failure to beat Aldershot saved Grays for one more season.

Ins and Outs - Last season's downfall could be attributed to the loss of massive players such as Aaron McLean and Michael Kightly, who is now wowing Wolves fans in the Championship. The word 'stability' also seemed to have disappeared from the Essex club's vocabulary, Grays signing an incredible 39 players at some point last season, also letting 21 leave through the revolving doors at the Rec'.

This summer saw Edinburgh get to work with pretty much a clean sheet. Taking into account youth players, Grays have awarded 19 players contracts for the new season, Edinburgh displaying an eye for a bargain. They even paid a fee for one player - Danny Kedwell. The former Welling striker arrived at the Blues for an undisclosed fee. Another canny signing was pacy forward Ben Watson from Bognor Regis, who was a long term target for League One club Brighton.

Other notable signatures for the season include Jon Ashton, a Football League stalwart of Oxford United, and Craig McAllister, a big bustling centre forward who had spent the last few years at Woking. Karl Murray also followed from Kingfield and Edinburgh made a coup signing the experienced Barnet stopper Ross Flitney, who was once sent off at Old Trafford playing for the Bees in the League Cup.

The Squad - Grays have plenty of experience to attempt to maintain their good run, although influential captain Stuart Thurgood will be injured for tonight, along with ex-Millwall midfielder Charley Hearn. In front of 'keeper Flitney, Grays have well travelled full back Adam Sambrook, who has Gillingham and Rushden among his former clubs. Another Barnet trainee, Adam Gross, has impressed at left back after signing on this summer. The central defence berth has plenty of options for the manager, with Simon Downer, Jon Ashton and club captain Jamie Stuart all vying for a starting spot.

The colourfully named Ernie Cooksey didn't hesitate to drop out of the Football League after leaving Rochdale and his wholehearted commitment in the centre of midfield has made the 26-year-old a firm fans favourite. After a quiet campaign last time out, Aaron O'Connor has come to fore in his second season under Edinburgh, and there are striking options aplenty, with new signings Danny Kedwell and Ben Watson joining former U's attacker Dennis Oli for some much-needed competition up top. Craig McAllister is the token target man and also included is Gavin Grant, who joined on deadline day on loan for six months from Millwall.

One to Watch - Danny Kedwell - This formidable 22 year-old hitman is already making the Blue Square Premier sit up and listen after his hat-trick destroyed Kidderminster just three weeks ago. Kedwell has done the rounds in non-league, playing for no less than seven clubs in seven years, including the likes of Fisher Athletic, Maidstone United and more recently Welling United. Edinburgh decided to take a punt on Kedwell after the youngster had trials with League Two outfit Brentford, costing the club an undisclosed fee.

Facts, stats and connections - Tonight will be the only the fifth time the sides have clashed, the last time at the Abbey a 2-0 success for Cambridge, thanks to two goals from now-Coventry striker Robbie Simpson.

Our first ever meeting two years ago ended in a lung busting 5-3 win for Grays, the only time they have ever beaten us. Dennis Oli is the Cambridge connection in the Blues side, Dennis making just four appearances for United during our fateful relegation season.

Lee Boylan is the only current U's player to have had a spell at Grays, only last season. Some may feel Lee has a point to prove after a stop start season in which he was played out of position and rarely given a run in the team. Boylan scored four goals in 22 appearances before leaving for Chelmsford, one of those against Cambridge United in the 1-1 draw at the Rec'.

Current Form -

Cambridge United - WWWDDD (3rd)
Grays Athletic - DDWWLW (5th)

Chris Vessey

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The views expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cambridge United Football Club or the webmaster.

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