We should be delighted at how much better run the club is now. And yet, the social media experts are never satisfied. Last Tuesday we lost a pretty even game to a decent Cheltenham side. They took their only chance and we missed ours. The windy conditions suited their robust, more physical style better than us and won the points. Even the best teams lose but some of our so-called fans seem to think that we have a divine right to win matches. Football isn’t like that. Some of those same fans have been on Liam O’Neill’s back since he got here, just as they were with Joe Pigott. His goal at Port Vale will no doubt silence some of them for now. What good, I wonder, do they think their constant whingeing do the club?

Finally, we welcome Scunthorpe United tonight. I have always enjoyed going there and remember crowing in the Berkley Hotel after Tom Youngs’ volley, which stuck in the stanchion, won us the points. I would love to have been there this season for our five nil win, and suspect that the home fixture will be much closer. Win or lose, however, this has been our best season for years, even though we are only top of the league!

My Favourite Jonnoisms I first met Mark Johnson and his girlfriend at what was then called Field Mill towards the end of the nineties. As a long term resident of Nottingham I saw a lot of Cambridge games there, most of which were hard fought and most of which we lost, including that one. I had my oldest son with me on that occasion and he was very impressed with Mark’s book which described all of the league grounds in England. Paul was less impressed with the away end at Mansfield, although it was a bit of a novelty watch ing the game standing in the Gents. No doubt the ground would have been described as basic in Mark’s book. Indeed it was. The weather there is always wintry at best but Away games have an appeal of their own.

Had I been able to see into the future, I would have known that the redoubtable Mr Johnson would become the voice of what Covid has made the I Follow season. Arguments rage about whether United do better on television than in front of a 10 crowd…though standing on the Habbin is my favoured option…but I have become used to a few commentary words and phrases which have been used more than once.

Here is a bit of a list. Where possible I have provided a translation.

Summoned to the Headmaster’s study= Booked
Bowls it out in an instant
Capricious wind=Difficult playing conditions
They can see blood in the water= Going for a win
Tranche of signings=A lot
Smuggled it out=Cleared
Into the mix=Into the box
Late of this Parish=former player
Momentarily=This doesn’t mean in a moment.
Betwixt and Between
So to do
Sees him off=kicks him
In a different Postcode=Not close
Perfunctory Culturedly=A new verb Real Estate=Space
Pencils out= Bookings time
Emphaticness=New noun
Eschews
Pick the lock=Break down the defence
Doing his pieces=Getting cross
Minimum thereof.

We are all grateful for entertaining commentary when we can’t go to games.

Anyone who thinks that it’s easy has never tried it. I take my hat off to you chaps!

Andrew

Fan representatives from the EFL’s three divisions met online with the competition’s senior officials towards the end of January to discuss ongoing issues across the leagues.

The meeting took place under the auspices of the Football Supporters’ Association as part of the EFL’s commitment to fan engagement, which includes bi-annual group meetings.

• You can read the notes from the meeting here…
  

This meeting was attended by fans from different supporter groups in the Championship, League One, and fan representatives from League Two clubs. They were drawn from the FSA’s network of democratically affiliated and associated fan groups, fanzines and activists.

Following the recent filing at Companies House by Cambridge United on the 26th February 2021. CFU would like to provide some further information to the questions it has been asked by supporters. 

The additional shares were issued to cover and allow for the recent investment made last year by Adam Webb and Mark Green. and reported last September. 
(see link https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2020/september/cufc-new-investors/

It also allows for the conversion of loans into shares by Paul Barry and some further housekeeping to bring records up to date 

Ian Mather spoke on Radio Cambridgeshire. His interview can be heard from 35 minutes into the programme via  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p096bzrq

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (26 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (5871)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1300.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (26 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (3481)
-there were no winners of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

As the 'Main Draw' jackpot was not won this week
-there are 3 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there is 1 CUFC Lottery member matching the second pair winning £10.00

If you are a winner of either the 'Accumulator' or 'Main Draw' you will be notified individually by email.

Yours sincerely,
the CUFC Lottery Team,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

Read the latest edition of the Amber News by downloading the file below or reading it on line.

There are lots of interesting articles written by supporters for supporters. They will make you think about and remember all things Cambridge United

If you missed the January edition Amber News

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (19 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (1396)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1250.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (19 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (1284)
-there were no winners of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

As the 'Main Draw' jackpot was not won this week
-there are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there are 4 CUFC Lottery members matching the second pair winning £10.00 each

If you are a winner of either the 'Accumulator' or 'Main Draw' you will be notified individually by email.

Yours sincerely,
the CUFC Lottery Team,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

Following the Southend match last Saturday the CUFCLottery have provided an update about the unusual way participants helped ensure the match went ahead on time. The ground temperature at night was -10 throughout the previous week.

With a lot of hard work and ingenuity! - two layers of covers, picnic tables and heaters were used.

The picnic benches are the very ones the CUFC Lottery has purchased over the last few years.
 
The wooden benches were placed on the pitch to hold up two layers of covers. This allowed heaters to be placed underneath them to keep the goal areas from becoming unplayable.

A similar technique was used before the Luton match several years ago.

Other tables are being used currently at the training ground to allow the area to comply with Covid restrictions.

Below photo shows system working before the Luton match when the Beast from the East struck

At the end of October Cambridge United were one of the first clubs to commit to the FA Football Leadership Diversity Code.

By doing so the club pledged to create an equality, diversity and inclusion plan which applies when hiring for jobs. They agree to adopt specific recruitment principles and the targets would take effect immediately. In addition to this the club’s Board has set up a sub-group to ensure that the club adheres to this.

As supporters we can all play our part in ensuring that everyone is welcome and feels comfortable when coming to the Abbey Stadium to watch a match or when interacting with the club through its community and educational programmes. It is really is important that we incorporate and embed these principles now for future generations.

The Fans for Diversity campaign was organised through a partnership between the FSA and Kick it Out. Their work is not about sanitising the game and taking away what makes being in a football ground special - the raw atmosphere of defiance and jubilation which home teams want to build, and which away teams want to challenge.

It’s about acknowledging and developing matchdays which can be enjoyed by everyone – whether you want to bounce for 90 minutes after a few pints or give the mascot a cuddle and sit with the family. Pies and pakoras; Bovril and beer; a rainbow flag? It matters not once we’re in the stadium. We’re all fans with the same goal.

Being visible, being welcomed, being accepted. It’s a difficult journey for some and we want to make it easier, making football a place where people can enjoy our national game without fear of discrimination and abuse.

There key aims are:

• To communicate with people who may not think football is for them (including marginalised and under-represented communities) and to build bridges between those people, existing supporters and football clubs to create a welcoming space for everyone at football.
• To help those groups be more visible and accepted into the landscape of the football community, thereby encouraging more people to attend matches to support their club and community.
• To educate and challenge the narrative around discrimination and abuse. One way we do this by bringing people of different backgrounds together in solidarity – football is for everyone and if you share the same team, even more so.

To read more about the Fans for Diversity work see https://thefsa.org.uk/our-work/fans-for-diversity/

During February as part of the EFL’s ‘Not Today or Any Day’ campaign, which aims to raise further awareness of the zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, the League and its Clubs will show support for LGBT+ History Month throughout the month.  You have probably seen the Amber & Proud flag in the South Stand. The flag was sourced through the Fans for Diversity programme. There is a Facebook page: Amber & Proud, which was set up to show that the Abbey is a welcoming and safe space for all LGBT+ fans.

Please take care and look after yourselves
You can contact me via dave.matthew-jones@cambridge-united.co.uk;

As part of the CUFCLottery community sponsorship the group have sponsored Lola.

Lola is a fluffy pup who loves snuggling with her siblings. She needs your support to help her grow up to be a life-changer.
 
Follow Lola’s story on the CUFCLottery website over the next two years and find how she develops throughout the period.

Guide Dogs provides a wide range of services for children and young people, including mobility and life skills, large print books and grants for specialist technology. And we're here for the whole family, providing support and advice on a range of issues, including education.

www.guidedogs.org.uk/

Following on from months of work with fan reps across the EFL, the FSA is pleased to launch #TerraceTalk – a supporter-led mental health initiative.

#TerraceTalk will feature a series of events across 2021 which will include training for staff and volunteers, panel discussions and the publication of shared resources.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage open and honest conversations about mental health and encourage supporters who need them to seek out mental health support services. A central theme of #TerraceTalk is to also recognise the value that social aspects of the matchday routine provide to fans up and down the country.

As we reported back in December, fan groups across the country have already begun discussing mental health issues, as well as raising awareness of the services and support available.

“The pandemic, and lack of in-person football, has had a serious impact on our collective mental health,” said Deborah Dilworth, the FSA’s EFL network manager.

“It feels like an important moment to establish and develop supporter-led work on a national level around mental health.

“#TerraceTalk will hopefully encourage fans to keep an eye out for each other and check in on a friend or fellow supporter you’d normally see at the match.”

Supported by the EFL and Mind’s ‘On Your Side’ partnership, #TerraceTalk aims to complement existing initiatives in football.

Much of the planning and preparation for the launch of this campaign has been carried out by supporter representatives from the FSA’s EFL Network – aiming to raise awareness of critical mental health issues and deliver initiatives at club level. The FSA would like to thank those fan reps and volunteers that have helped us shape the national campaign so far.

Gemma Teale, from Brentford Independent Association of Supporters and LGBeeTs who has been working on the project’s sub-committee, said: “Mental health is important to us all, and especially at a time when so many of the ways we look after ourselves are not available to us, we need to talk and support one another.

“We can’t be on the terraces but we can make sure we still have our #TerraceTalk and keep those connections that are what makes being part of the football family great.”

Online resources and a social media toolkit are also available for supporter organisations to download and use on their channels to spread the message – and point their own members and other fans to support that is available.

Geoff Bielby from Hull City Supporters’ Trust (HCST) said: “Over the last four years HCST and our colleagues at other trusts have been working hard on mental health issues and trying to get people to seek help when they need it.

“Football, and the matchday routine, is a vital social release for so many and a year of behind-closed-door games has really taken its toll. We’re acutely aware of how damaging lockdown has been on our mental health – it’s so important that supporters come together in whatever way they can to fill that void.”

If you would like to know more about #TerraceTalk or your supporter organisation would like to get involved with the campaign, contact Deborah Dilworth.

#TerraceTalk

• Download: #TerraceTalk social media assets. If you would like a bespoke #TerraceTalk image including your group’s logo contact us.
• Find out more: fan groups highlight mental health support work
  

Useful links

Contact Mind for dealing with mental health matters during lockdown. Mind also have a partnership with the EFL and run a joint Have Your Mate’s Back campaign. Other useful resources…

• Age UK – call 0800 678 1602 8am-7pm
• Alcoholics Anonymous or call 0800 9177 650
• CALMzone – call 0800 585858
• Childline or call 0800 1111
• Mental Health First Aid (England)
• Mental Health First Aid (Wales)
• Mental Health Matters
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – call 0808 2000 247
• National Gambling Helpline or call 0808 8020 133
  
• Samaritans – 116 123 call any time for free
  

For medical advice call the NHS on 111.

Dear CUFC Lottery Member,

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (12 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (9024)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1200.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (12 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (3605)
-there were no winners of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

As the 'Main Draw' jackpot was not won this week
-there are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the second pair winning £10.00 each

If you are a winner of either the 'Accumulator' or 'Main Draw' you will be notified individually by email.

Yours sincerely,
the CUFC Lottery Team,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

Cambridge United Community Trust (CUCT) is keen to be a positive influence in the battle against gambling harms, and has linked up with gambling support charities GamCare and Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) to help tackle the issue in a new campaign called ‘Kick the Habit’. The collaboration will focus initially on two key tracks – awareness and prevention.

The awareness strand of the work will see CUCT use social media channels to promote a series of articles, podcasts and interviews, exploring the consequences of gambling problems and educating on the issue. Cambridge United legend John Taylor is our lead ambassador in supporting this campaign and he says “Admitting you have a problem is the hardest part. The next steps to recovery are you talking to someone about your addiction and then having people there to listen to you”. GamCare provides the non-judgemental, listening ear that John is referring to 24 hours a day through the National Gambling Helpline (over the phone or via live chat) as well as connecting you with others in similar situations through their online group chatrooms and Forum. GamCare and their partners also provide a range of support services across the country, including with charity Breakeven across Cambridgeshire.

The prevention side of the work will be in partnership with YGAM and involve delivering sessions in schools to educate young people on the dangers of problem gambling and gaming addiction. This will touch on the issues surrounding ‘loot boxes’, virtual treasure chests containing undisclosed items that are paid for with real money, which are now prevalent in many popular games including the FIFA series.

Community Trust Wellbeing Manager Vicky Neal said about ‘Kick the Habit’ “We want to be able to support individuals that are affected by gambling, either themselves or someone they are close to, by signposting them to the support GamCare offers, as well as educate our younger generations on the topic of addiction & gambling with support from YGAM’.

If the issues raised by our ‘Kick the Habit’ campaign affect you or someone close to you and think your story could be helpful in raising awareness about problem gambling, please get in touch with Vicky at CUCT via email vicky.neal@cambridge-united.co.uk.

Contact the National Gambling Helpline 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 80 20 133 or live chat via www.GamCare.org.uk

MINUTES OF CFU TRUST BOARD ZOOM MEETING on MONDAY 11th JANUARY 2021
 
The Trust Board met on Monday 11th January 2021 via Zoom. Those present were:
Martin Chapman (Chairman), Dave Matthew-Jones, Margaret Pearson, Frank Pearson (Secretary), Paul Moffatt, Colin Proctor, Nigel Browne, Terry Wilby, Carl Badcock, Robert Osbourn, Gina Heath, Alex Nix, Andrew Stephen and Ben Phillips.
 
The following is an abbreviated version of the minutes of the meeting.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Welcome and apologies
Apologies were received from Leanne Huff.

Matters Arising

• Andrew Stephen and Ben Phillips were elected as Chair and Vice-chair
• Abbreviated Minutes to go on CFU website

1. Arrangements for AGM

• Must wait until accounts back from auditors and face-to-face meetings allowed
• Paperwork can go on website
• Need to elect new and returning Trust Board members
• FED election

 
Future relationship with CUSP

• Ben and Andrew have spoken to Ian Mather and Andrew to Paul Barry
• Many fans don’t see the difference between CUSP and CFU
• Role of FED vital
• Need to ensure we represent all fans

1. Reports

• Membership (Terry) 251 compared with 263 (2020).
• Treasurer (Paul)      Dec 20 Financial Report:

 
The CFU monies held at 30th Dec 20 were :

• Current account - £90,186.69 
• CFU Lottery Account - £25,986.64
• Other Accounts - £9290.2 
• Total Held £125,463.61

CFU Trading in Dec 20 recorded a £1,549.33 profit.
Overall we have made a trading loss of £10,100.84 since Sept 20.
 
No large Expenditures reported in Dec.

• Coconuts (Nigel and Gina.)  Collecting donations and programmes. Nigel continues to scan Light Blues. 50 years’ T shirts are back for sale on- line.
• Lottery (Nigel) The jackpot stands at £950. Recently there was a £300 weekly prize winner. The new  lottery website is up and running (thanks to Philip Saich).  There is a delay in setting up the scoreboards at the ground.
• SLO/FED (Dave)  Arranged Andrew and Ben meeting with Ian Mather
•  Alex introduced himself
• Ben is looking into having the Fan Zone at the front of the stadium and re-introducing Junior U’s
• Carl: We do need a Publicity Officer
• Dave reminded us of the You’re Never Alone project which the FSA have taken on board. Terry will to add details to his regular e-mail.

We need to signpost telephone contacts for where to find help (e.g. Chaplain, Stuart Wood and CUCT).

•   Dave: We could ring CFU members to check they are OK. He has found more than  20  names of supporters and players who have died over the past 12 months
•  Dave :We need to advertise the Food Bank.
• Ben: Can CFU have a page in the programme? That could include information about the Food Bank.

 Date of next meeting:  8th February 2021 by Zoom, Andrew to chair.
 
Martin was thanked for his chairing of the recent Trust Board meetings.

Football fans are the heart beat within any club and we want fellow fans to be united with us at CFU and have a say in the running of the football club and its involvement in their local communities.  We aim as a supporter’s trust to run initiatives for current fans and our members & to actively ensure that the long term future of Cambridge United is protected, for the benefit of its supporters and the local community.

We want to make sure that our wonderful club can be enjoyed by many future generations to come. Additionally, we aim to offer support for fans’ welfare & any difficulties they may face. We want our fellow fans and CFU Members to know that we are all united together and willing to help each other, something which has become increasingly obvious during this dreadful Pandemic. We aim to work closely with the football club at marketing and promoting a positive image of Cambridge United in order to increase the fan base and income and improve the match day experience for fans.

As a supporters trust and football club we also work together at promoting diversity and inclusivity within the football Club and want to make Cambridge United welcoming for everyone.

Cambridge Fans United is a critical friend of the football club, and, unlike other supporter’s organizations at other football league clubs, it has a Fans’ Elected Director, who represents CFU members and the fan base on the Club’s Board of Directors and in Board meetings. 

The new look CFU understands the importance of giving fans a say in their football club and we have introduced a new-style Trust membership scheme offer. The more members we have sign up to the supporters trust the more powerful a voice in the football club we will have. It will allow us to work together on more projects that will benefit the football club and the community.

In particular, we want more youngsters aged (16-25) to become members of CFU, as they are the next generation of football fan and are under represented at the club.  We want to ensure that fans can have a say in the way the Club is run. That is why we are urging everyone to become members and to encourage friends and family to join too.

 We will be offering a host of different benefits to members ranging from;
•            a vote on the direction and work of CFU and the election of FED who will represent the fans
•            Preferential access to tickets for Cambridge United all-ticket matches (subject to availability);
•            Member’s only First team Player & Manager Q & A’s throughout the season.
•            A Members fans Forum – Have your say on your club. –
•            Exclusive open training sessions with the first team.
•            Entry into a quarterly draw for a signed player’s shirt or training top.
 
Some of the membership changes have already means and the others are a work in progress & we will add more membership benefits going forward for fans. But we realise that we need to make our intentions and strategy clear. We want to see more supporters in the ground when this becomes possible once more. To this end we are reaching out to other community groups and trying to make sure that everyone’s needs are catered for in our ground. For instance, we are working with the club to establish an area for the elderly and vulnerable and looking at ways of making all elements of our diverse community feel self and welcome at matches. We may currently be in league two, if only until the end of the season but we can have the best community relations, transparent communication and social responsibility of any club in the league. So be united with CFU & have your say on Cambridge United.

Sign up to be an annual member of CFU and have your say on your football club below

• Adults – Was 20.00 NOW 15.00  click here to join
• Young Adults (16-25 Years old) – 5.00  click here to join
• Senior citizen/OAPS – 5.00 click here to join
• Lifetime Membership 50.00 click here to join
  

Or click on the button below

The EFL is proud to support LGBT+ History Month, which aims to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. Throughout February, the League will continue to help raise awareness and advance education on matters affecting the LGBT+ community, as well as taking a no-tolerance approach to discrimination in any form. The work forms part of the EFL's wider activity in this area and anti-discrimination campaign, ‘Not Today or Any Day’, as we promote the message that everyone has the right to feel safe, valued and included, whether we're together, apart, online or on the pitch. Earlier this season, EFL Clubs across the country united in support of LGBT+ inclusivity to raise awareness of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, with specific matchday activity taking place at all EFL Clubs between Friday 4 December and Sunday 13 December. Keep an eye out for stories throughout the month on our official social media channels.

https://www.efl.com/news/2021/february/efl-proud-to-support-lgbt-history-month/

It was great also to see CFU, Cambridge Fans United supporters trust volunteers working with members of the clubs community trust on their latest lockdown initiative called Call for the ball yesterday.

The latest lockdown initiative is to boost physical and mental well-being of children in the CB1-CB5 area and to give a new football to those that may not have one.

Yesterday’s team managed to deliver 141 balls to children putting smiles on their faces at this difficult time.

Delivering 141 footballs in one go wouldn't have been possible without an outstanding squad of volunteers!

A huge thanks to everyone for helping us: Ben Phillips, Connor Rifo, Dave M-J, Nigel Browne, Colin Proctor. Also to the legendary @louishrebeniak and Charlie & Joe from our coaching team

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (05 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (1742)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1150.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (05 February 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (8673)
-there were no winners of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

As the 'Main Draw' jackpot was not won this week
-there are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there are 0 Lottery members matching the second pair

If you are a winner of either the 'Accumulator' or 'Main Draw' you will be notified individually by email.

Yours sincerely,
the CUFC Lottery Team,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

This week we should start by remembering all the people who have passed away during the period since last March.  During the past week it was reported that over 100,000 people had died of Covid and in addition to that figure there are many who died from other causes. We would like to send all the families left behind our sincere condolences and thoughts.
 
We also need to check through these times we confirm that everyone is ok and that we are still looking out for each other. In this time when many people are isolating and missing daily contact with others a telephone call would be a great way to stay in touch. CFU have come up with the idea of a telephone conversation with someone where individuals could chat all things Cambridge United players, managers, matches, stadiums, Wembley.  Or about anything.  If you would like someone to call you please see the link  https://tinyurl.com/yy7mvj3h

Over many years we have been extremely fortunate at Cambridge United to have some really talented writers among the fanbase producing some of the best fanzines available. The first fanzine I remember is the Abbey Rabbit, back in the early nineties.  Do you remember any of the following? The Globe, One Wonky Antler and Planet Amber. What others have there been?  The latest one is Under the Abbey Stand and they are following on with this tradition. However, with the advancement of social media and technology they have now moved onto the next level producing a regular podcast in addition to updating their website with printed copy. You can see more and find out more via their website https://undertheabbeystand.com The team that is behind producing everything is Julian Roberts, Jack Swindlehurst, Tom Walker, Jordan Worland and Owen Kiernan.

This week in Parliament a Ten Minute Rule Bill was brought by former sports minister, Helen Grant, who said that the country’s football governance requires radical reform to protect the game’s future. Helen is working with the Our Beautiful Game project and her Bill is looking for legislation to create an independent regulator that would govern all of English football from grassroots to the top tier. Its remit would include:

• Distribute funds in the interest of the wider game of football
• Introduce a comprehensive licensing system for professional clubs
• “Review thoroughly” the causes of financial stress in the game
• Bring forward reforms to “modernise and strengthen” the FA
• Work with supporter groups to advance causes that really matter to them
• Drive the promotion of diversity and inclusion in football.

Level Playing Field is a registered charity in England and Wales. It acts as a campaigning and advisory organisation for its membership and other parties across all sports. You will find information on disabled fans facilities at clubs and stadia, along with useful disability and access reports, guides, good practice documents and general disabled supporter information. You'll also find the latest news items and a back catalogue of the Level Playing Field e-newsletters via their website https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk At the end of December they issued their review of 2020. Please see the link http://tinyurl.com/52sb2at6
Take care and look after yourselves.

You can contact me via email dave.matthew-jones@cambridge-united.co.uk

2020 has been a uniquely tough year and the start of 2021 hasn’t looked much better, with public health protocols meaning that many football fans now feel more isolated than ever.

 On a normal match day attending a fixture has acted as a release & a means of escape from all the other matters that come with everyday life. Many of us look forward to a weekly 90 minutes cheering on the U’s and a chance to share a common experience with fellow supporters that has largely been on hold for the past nine months.

Although we may not be standing on the terraces cheering on Mark Bonner’s boys in person at present, CFU wants fellow fans to know you are not alone. We are still United and together. Football clubs represent so much more than 90 minutes on the football pitch . Since the start of the Pandemic, the work that Cambridge United Community Trust has done, from delivering 1717 Meals to families in need, to delivering activity packs & making calls to check in with over 1200 Senior citizens, on a consistent basis to the wider community is something that all fans should be proud of.

Cambridge United Supporters Trust board members have enjoyed working alongside the Community Trust during the pandemic, helping by offering support and volunteers , when needed, for deliveries at times. Understanding the critical need to communicate with people, we have started to phone our existing members and are regularly checking in with them.

 A great initiative that the Community Trust is running  is called Forever U’s. If you would like to be part of that , have some support and speak to someone then find out more details here  remember you are not alone and there are people willing to help offer support and chat.

We want all fans of the football club, regardless of their situation or background, to know that as a Supporters’ Trust we are here for the fans going forward and are willing to help alongside the Cambridge United Community Trust in making sure fans don’t feel lonely or isolated during the pandemic. We want to check that everybody is ok and show that we are still looking out for each other.

In other news, one of our chief roles in the future has to be making sure that the needs of all supporters are met by the club in order to encourage greater diversity and inclusion. All supporters should be able to feel welcome and safe at the Abbey Stadium and the elderly, the unemployed, those with special needs and the vulnerable may need provision which goes beyond that which football clubs usually provide. Identifying these needs and making proposals for new provision are obvious ways in which CFU can help the club and our fans.

In addition, CFU itself needs to become more diverse and inclusive. We have far too few young people amongst our members. Our membership does not accurately reflect the full spectrum of ages, views and cultures which make up our society. We need to consider different types and prices for memberships to suit whatever involvement people seek.

We are pleased to announce that we will have a new & exciting membership initiative for fans to join the new look Cambridge United Supporters trust shortly. Details will appear on our website and in the press this week. We have listened to what supporters have told us and plan to bring in an affiliate membership scheme soon so that we can truly speak on behalf of Cambridge fans and reflect all shades of opinion. We have much to be proud of; a great young manager and a team which does us proud. That is why we come year after year, but a club is more than that. The club has made a significant contribution to its community, raised awareness of mental health, and provided opportunities for many disabled and disadvantaged groups to play football.  And we are financially stable, despite the difficulties created by covid. It is time to join in and time to be proud.

Come on you U’s!

Hello,

We want to check everybody is ok and we are still looking out for each other. As a trust we have been discussing ideas to best help our supporters and vulnerable people at this difficult time. We decided that in this time when many people are isolating and missing daily contact with others a telephone call would be a great way to stay in touch.

We thought that the idea of a telephone conversation with someone from CFU where we could chat all things Cambridge United players, managers, matches, stadiums, Wembley.  Or we can talk about anything you like.

If you would like us to call you please contact us  by the contact form below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

At the beginning of the year we started to collect food on behalf of the Cambridge City Foodbank. We had hoped by now to re-instate the collections, however with supporters not being allowed to attend matches we have not been able to.
 
This doesn't mean we can't find alternatives way of helping. We all probably have food that is surplus and sitting in cupboards doing nothing and more likely to be thrown away than used.
 
During the past few weeks we have been in contact with the C3 Church which is local to ground based on Brooks Road on the roundabout by Sainsbury.  Food can be donated to the Coldhams Coffee, C3 Centre, between 10am and 4pm Tuesday-Friday.

There are no rules as such, they can take non perishable items and will allow them to sit before redistribution for any virus contamination.

If there is anyone who works in the fresh world of food or knows someone who the foodbank have the facilities to take surplus fresh food, cook and then distributed.

The organisation has distributed over 100,000 meals to highlight how important their work is.

Any donations would be amazing and very welcome by them

Please check with the foodbank their opening times during the current lockdown

C3Church
Phone: 01223 844415
Email: hello@thec3.uk
 
If you would prefer to deliver to another location below are some of alternative foodbanks locally
 
Cambridge City Foodbank 
2 Orwell House
Orwell Furlong
Cambridge
CB4 0PP
Phone: 07772 538628
Email: info@ccfb.org.uk
Donate money here https://cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-funds/
 
Ely Foodbank
10 Chapel Street
Ely
CB6 1AD
Phone: 01353 468626
Donate money here https://localgiving.org/charity/elyfoodbank/
 
St Ives Foodbank 
 
There are also various Trussell foodbanks in the local area for example Royston, Saffron Walden, St Neots and Haverhill where food can be donated.  For more information visit the Trussell Trust. 
 
Thousands of Premiership supporters recently donated money to their local foodbanks instead of paying for access to see their teams play over the Premier League's opening pay-per-view weekend.  That weekend foodbanks in the North East and North West reported record donations to their crowdfunder pages.  It proves what football supporters can do when they come together. If all the local football supporters and teams came together, I am positive we could make a real difference to so many families living locally during a really difficult period so many.

You are never alone - if you need to talk then speak to someone. Here are some
numbers below to help you -

@samaritans - 116 123 call any time

@age_uk - call 0800 678 1602 8am to 7pm,

@theCALMzone - 0800 585858 http://thecalmzone.net

@MindCharity - http://mind.org.uk

Mental Health First Aid
https://mhfaengland.org/

Childline 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

The National Gambling Helpline   0808 8020 133
www.begambleaware.org/

For urgent medical advice call the NHS 111

You can also contact Leo Orobor by contacting him via the link here

You can also contact David Burkett by contacting him via the link here