CHRIS LAKEY Fakenham joint-manager Kevin Boon will share a laugh with Tony Spearing when Cambridge United visit Clipbush Park tomorrow night - despite the fact that he once had to sack him as boss at King's Lynn.

CHRIS LAKEY

Fakenham joint-manager Kevin Boon will share a laugh with Tony Spearing when Cambridge United visit Clipbush Park tomorrow night - despite the fact that he once had to sack him as boss at King's Lynn.

It was in March, 2002, when Boon - then director of football and a board member at The Walks - had to deliver the news.

“It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in football - telling a really good friend that it was over,” said Boon.

“But the good thing is Tony knows all about football and realised the situation - we're still great friends and, honestly, we laugh about it.

“I have great respect for him - I was certainly the better for working with him - and you can see how much knowledge he has of the game when you look at where he is now.”

Spearing is assistant at Cambridge to another former Norwich City defender, Rob Newman, and they take their team to Clipbush Park after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by the Canaries and with a clear warning to their players.

Newman kept his team in the dressing room after the game giving them the stark message that they must cut out the mistakes.

“We have friendlies coming up against Fakenham Town and Enfield, Cambridge United and we must deliver,” said Newman. “We were beaten by Norwich but the players are now fighting for places."

Boon and joint manager Paul Tong used a number of younger players at the weekend when a youthful Boston United side ran out 3-1 winners at Clipbush Park, but they are clearly assembling a side they believe can challenge for promotion in the Ridgeons First Division next season.

The pair have completed the signings of defenders Lee Day and Jason Pease, while the experienced Wayne Anderson - who, coincidentally, played alongside Spearing for AFC Sudbury in the 2003 FA Vase final - has joined to bolster the midfield.

“Lee Day has joined from Wisbech and I see that as one of the biggest coups of the summer, because I rated him as one of the best centre-halves in the Premier last season,” said Boon. “I knew Jason a few years ago at King's Lynn where he was a youth team player. He moved to Wisbech, but never really got a chance - and I think he is another with Premier Division quality.

“Wayne has more than a hundred games for Lynn under his belt and looked tremendous against Boston. He's been in the doldrums lately because of a knee injury, but it's cleared up now and he's got a great engine.

“We have a couple more irons in the fire and things are looking good here. We have one of the best squads we have had for a while here sand we're having a good pre-season. The facilities are tremendous and the club is going forward.”

After tomorrow's friendly (7.30pm), the Ghosts face Premier Division Kirkley on Saturday (3pm) followed by a home game against local rivals Dereham next Wednesday (7.45pm) and then another home game, against Wisbech (3pm), the following Saturday.