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Right Hand Man

Posted on: Fri 21 Aug 2009

Former Gillingham defender Paul Clark will assist Joe Dunne during the Irishman's caretaker spell in charge of the club.

Paul was in the dugout for the match against the Gills on Tuesday night and was back for training on Friday as the U's prepare for the game against MK Dons this weekend.

"Paul is someone I really trust, having played alongside him during my time at Gillingham," Joe explained.

"He played a big part in my development as a player and has vast experience of the game.

"He was available to help me out and will be sitting on the bench with myself and Gary Holt to get the team ready for the upcoming games."

Paul made over 100 appearances for the Gills between 1991 and 1994 after joining on a free.

He later helped guide the U's Essex rivals Southend to promotion after taking over from Dave Webb in March 1987, but he didn't get the job full-time following on from that, as Dick Bate was given the role.

When he left Southend, he has subsequently been assistant to Tommy Taylor at Cambridge and Leyton Orient, before working in local media.

With Clark in the dugout, the U's travel to Milton Keynes in fine fettle, despite being without a full time boss at present.

They sit top of the table with nine points out of nine after that win over Gillingham and can create a new best ever start for the club in the Football League with a win over the Dons.

The U's became a Football League side in 1950 and never before have they won the first four fixtures of a campaign.

A decent sized travelling support is expected to make the journey down, so make sure that you're a part of it!