Greene backs value for money (01.07.05)

DESPITE deep cuts in his player budget, York Road supremo Dennis Greene is upbeat about his team’s chances in the Conference South this season, following successul negotiations with a host of new players.
Two new defenders have already been added to the ranks, but Greene has been in non-stop wranglings to bring another five or six players to the club.
Having lost Craig O’Connor and Lawrence Yaku, finding some new strikers has been a main priority, and Greene seems to have had quite some success in his search.
Fromer Crawley Town winger/striker Bobby Trainer is already set for a move to York Road, and Greene claims two more are poised to sign on the dotted line next week.
Both have played at a higher level of football, and Greene is confident they will enable United to challenge near the top next term.
He said: “I’m very upbeat. The squad we finished last season with would have been a midtable side.
“And I believe with the signings I’ve made we’ll have a stronger team than we did last year.
“We have lost two strikers, but I feel the ones I’m hoping to sign are better than what we had.
“They’re both strong, physical and athletic, which gives us a lot more options.”
Many of last year’s squad are also expected to lineup for the Magpies once more, including mainstays of the team such as Bryan Smith, Lee Kersey, Barry Matthews, Guy Ekwala, Kelvin McIntosh and Jamie Cook.
Greene said: “It’s going to be a strong side and I believe we’ll be getting much better value for money.”
On the down side, with less money there will be fewer players, which creates problems of its own.
Greene added: “Last year we had a squad of 20. We’ll try and get that down to 16.
“But if we get a couple of youngsters coming through that could be 18
“Yes it’ll leave us more open to injuries, but we’ll just have to assess that as we go along.”

Maidenhead United supporters are being asked to come down to York Road tomorrow (Saturday) and help get the ground ready for the start of the season.
Mark Stewart and Seamus Faulkner have worked hard with sponsors to acquire some free paint for the changing rooms, and a free strimmer to get rid of the weeds.
To help out, email to stewart625@btinternet.com or seamus_faulkner@ hotmail.com

Supporters are being invited to sponsor a fence panel at York Road.
The panels on the railway side of the ground need replacing and fans can sponsor one for £15.
For details, email to stewart625@btinternet.com

Next season’s Maidenhead United home kit shirt will be the same as last year’s, apart from Pharmalink replacing Lakes as the main club sponsor.
Juventus fans will be glad to learn shorts and socks will now be all white, while the away kit will be yellow and green.