As a supporters trust we have recently set up and established a new community relationship on behalf of the football club, by approaching and welcoming to the club our neighbours at the Cambridge Central Mosque in Mill Road. Through Cambridge Fans United’s contacts with Fans for Diversity, a national project organized by the Football Supporters' Association and Kick it out, we were able to lead the way, along with Charlton Athletic ,in being one of the only EFL clubs to provide a number of gift packs in time for Ramadan, which begins on Monday April 12th and continues until the 12th May. The gifts included food items that can be used throughout the period, and some gifts from the football club, including club calendars and footballs which were provided by the Cambridge United Community Trust.
One thing the pandemic has taught us is that we need to look out for one another. It is really important that we build closer relationships with everyone locally. Football provides a unique opportunity.It can unite people from all backgrounds. Both football clubs and Mosques during the past year have been responsible for doing so much good work throughout their communities. We should be working together and building on these foundations ,supporting one another.
Shahida Rahman Trustee, Cambridge Central Mosque said; ‘’ We’re delighted to welcome everyone involved in the project celebrating diversity in football. On behalf of the Mosque I would like to thank those involved for the generous Ramadan packs that were presented to us. We hope to continue and expand our relationship with Cambridge United Football Club and our local community, for projects that will benefit the youth, both boys and girls in the future’’.
As a supporters organization it is hoped, on behalf of the football club and Community Trust, that we can help by building on these positive steps to engage more communities in such a diverse city and to engage more with our local communities, spreading the word about our football club and giving the football club a more visual presence within the city through building relationships with people.
We were recently asked by many fans if we could ask the club about the possibility of the club being able to have another successful pilot scheme game for the last home game of the season versus Grimsby. We have chatted with Ian Mather at length . While the club would love to welcome fans back with open arms the decision is ultimately out of their hand., The government are not allowing fans into stadiums in any capacity until the 17TH May at the earliest. Hopefully with restrictions slowly being eased, and if the number of cases of the virus remain low ,we can resume some normality soon, fingers crossed we will be watching the U’s in League 1 and the abbey will be rocking once more!.
CFU will continue to talk with the football club and assist them in whatever capacity is needed to ensure that we can get fans back in the Abbey at the earliest opportunity. Please keep supporting the U’s and getting behind the team with buying your ifollow match passes.
Finally,on behalf of our members, CFU would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family on the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke was a keen sportsman and it should never be forgotten that his Award Scheme reached out to and included disability groups long before anyone ever mentioned the words inclusion or diversity. He understood that everyone’s challenges are different and that we can all experience achievement, meaningfully. Despite his illustrious position, he understood that everyone can and should be valued for what they offer. I am sure that he would have approved of what we are trying to do.
RIP, Sir.
CFU serving our fans and the community
Ben Phillips Andrew Stephen