Gulls' boss Jeff King may be reticent to jump on the "Canvey for the title" bandwagon despite the 2-1 win at Exeter, but it is easy to see why some top soccer names are backing the Islanders for glory come next April.
The way the visitors completely outclassed their West Country hosts, who a little more than a year ago were plying their trade in the Football League, in the first-half gave the clearest indication yet that King's men are not in the Nationwide Conference to make up the numbers.
The latest big name to back the Gulls is former Southend favourite Dean Austin, now boss at a beleaguered Farn-borough side who crashed to a 7-0 defeat at Carlisle on Saturday.
Austin was perhaps unwise to make his comments that Carlisle and many of the so-called better teams were "much of a muchness" just prior to his side's trip to the north-west.
But there is no doubting his liking for the way Canvey go about things and he said: "There is without doubt something about them that tells me they can win this league.
"I like the set-up at Canvey. I like the way Jeff King goes about things and they are definitely my dark horses for the season."
Some of his senior players have already gone public with their views that Gulls can at least match Aldershot's achievement in making the play-offs in their first season, but King refused to be drawn into the debate.
He said: "It's good to have your team talked about in regards to winning things, but I don't want to say too much in all honesty."
Published Monday August 30, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article