U's fan Chris Vessey talks to Gavin Butler, 29, a Halifax supporter living in Halifax and working as an electrical estimator.

CV - The talk of a takeover seems to have been rumbling on for months now, where are Halifax at with regards to this?

Talk about starting with the hardest question!!!

The takeover is on the verge of completion and may well have been finalised by the time Saturday's game arrives. The final stumbling block has been due to the consortium requiring 75% of the club's shareholding before taking control. In fairness to the consortium they have been in control, if not officially, for months, using their own finances to keep the club afloat.

It does though have to be the longest takeover in football history. It began some time before last Christmas, and as you say it has been rumbling on ever since. The main problem was down to a number of loans the main man behind the consortium, David Bosomworth, made to former Chairman Geoff Ralph to help the club's finances. Mr Bosomworth required these loans repaid in full before he and his consortium were willing to buy the club.

The Supporters' Trust have helped ease through the takeover by agreeing to transfer over its shareholding of around 7%. This was following a ballot of its 315 members of which around 93% voted in favour as long as a number of conditions were included in the agreement. The conditions attached to the legally binding transfer will effectively make the donation of the shares a loan, with the shares returning to the Trust in the future, for £1.

CV - Chris Wilder is one of the longest serving managers in the league but has taken a bit of stick from supporters recently. Why?

A lot of supporters are questioning the tactics of Chris Wilder. In fairness we have played some excellent football so far this season (once we got the poor start out of the way). Our problem though is holding onto a lead.

The last three games have seen us leading the opposition and looking quite comfortable only to throw it away. Our last two home games have seen us lead 1-0 against Rushden and 2-0 against Burton only to concede late goals to end up with just a point.

The worst though was no doubt away at York on the 27th; we were once again two up, but ended up losing after collapsing dreadfully in defence.

Some think Chris Wilder has taken the club as far as he can; this is his sixth season. I personally believe he deserves a chance of managing a stable club - something which the consortium will provide.

CV - Is Wilder the man to take Halifax Town into the Football League?

Once again it depends on what the consortium bring to the club. I don't think Chris Wilder needs huge finances; he has proved he can get a team together and working hard on a limited budget whilst playing attractive football.

CV - Hand on heart, where do you see the Shaymen come the end of the season?

It all depends on getting the defence sorted and the team having some self belief. We have possibly the best squad since Chris Wilder became manager so a push at the play-offs should not be impossible. But I think it will end up a season of mid table mediocrity and probably no cup run to get us excited - we are not a cup side!

CV - What have been your best and worst memories since you have been in this division?

My personal best memory has to be the play-off semi final, 2nd leg, at Grays a couple of seasons ago when we secured our place in the final. It wasn't good for the blood pressure though. The worst is probably the final defeat against Hereford. It was a cruel to lose the match although it was a cracking game.

CV - Who are the players you feel could cause Cambridge United some serious problems on Saturday?

Our biggest threat is Andy Campbell but he is unfortunately injured at the moment; he has the pace to trouble any defence. Jon Shaw has fitted in brilliantly since joining us from Burton Albion earlier in the season. He has scored 6 goals and is a threat both in the air and with the ball at his feet.

CV - The standard of refereeing in the Blue Square Premier is firing debates more than ever, do you think it's getting as bad as people make out?

There appears to be a big divide in the standard of refereeing. Some of the officials do a decent job and you don't notice them for the duration of the game. Unfortunately it's the majority who are very poor and I just wish they would use more common sense. I do think we at times forget it's a difficult job but they certainly don't help themselves.

CV - What has been your opinion of Cambridge United since we joined you in Blue Square Premier?

No real opinion to be honest, apart from when you tried to capture our manager last season (am I allowed to say that?).

CV - And finally? an important game for both teams on Saturday - what's your prediction?

We played well in our last away game at York until we fell to pieces, so I predict a high scoring draw.

Many thanks to Gavin Butler for giving his time to answer these questions.

Chris Vessey

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