While there is no definitive proof, the town of Gravesend is reputed to be so named because the burial grounds from the great plague in London seemingly stretched to and ended in the area.

I have many stories that emanate from my time at Gravesend but they are for another day. However, the club has recently changed its name to Ebbsfleet United and is sponsored by Eurostar the rail company that links London to Paris and its local stop is named Ebbsfleet. Hence, the new name and new sponsors. But my contribution to you this week is not based on a recollection of my non-league travels, which were extensive, but on a rather idiosyncratic and very modern development in professional football, and perhaps a slightly worrying one.

Each of the 20,000 members, who have paid a £35 annual membership fee, will in actual fact select the team for all 1st team fixtures while the manager will decide on tactics and substitutes. This in essence will mean that the club will have the largest Board of Director’s in the world of football.

The manager of Ebbsfleet is Liam Daish, the ex-Ireland centre half.  Liam now has more advisers, opinions and probably interference than Alex Ferguson and it will be most interesting to see how he handles the remainder of the season.

Supporters are part of the very lifeblood of sport, all sport. Even at schoolboy level the encouragement from parents and friends adds much atmosphere to the occasion.

Of course, at the top level of sport the involvement and boisterous nature of large crowds increases enormously the sense of occasion. In professional football the home support is of serious consequence to all clubs.

Like all professional footballers I absolutely loved the passion, fervour and thunderous noise generated by supporters whether I was playing home or away. On countless occasions I have experienced Referee’s and Linesmen being forced to waiver and dither as thousands of voices demanded immediate decisions in favour of their team.

I have also seen players young and old lose confidence and belief in the face of fiercely intimidating opposition support. Consequently the camaraderie between players and supporters is of vital importance to the future of any ambitious club. It can propel players to new heights of performance which in turn furthers the intensity of the support.