At the Open Day Day last week CFU organised a raffle for a shirt

The winning numbers are displayed by Carol Looker below and were drawn by Greg Taylor

The winner James Stratton. Well done

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket

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Statto Corner v Aston Villa

United have only played Aston Villa four times in their history, but it could have been five. Len Saward was United’s right-winger in 1957 and his brother Pat played for the Villa (152 League games in 6 years); in fact Len was excused from playing for the U’s in an Eastern Counties League match at Sudbury Town in March of that year so that he could watch his sibling turn out in the Villans’ defeat of West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup semi-final at Molineux. United drew 1-1 in his absence.

Len was in his benefit year at the Abbey and set about arranging for Villa to come to Cambridge to play in his testimonial match that October. United did not have any floodlights at the time so he paid for a set from his benefit funds, shelling out £14 a pop for primitive lights that amounted to little more than lamps on telegraph poles. Sadly Villa could not make the date he had in mind, but the lights had already been installed so the first ever match under floodlights at the Abbey was staged a week later, on 21st October, against Great Yarmouth Town in an East Anglian Cup replay. United won 3-0 and Saward, fittingly, scored the first goal.

Len got his testimonial eight days later when an Invitation XI, including his brother Pat and two other Villa players, Stan Lynn and Peter McParland, came to Newmarket Road and won 4-3 with a goal for McParland and a hat-trick for Vic Keeble of West Ham before a crowd of 5,500, Brian Moore (2) and Wilf Mannion scoring for the U’s. Len later sold the floodlights to the club.

United and Villa finally crossed paths on 26th January 1980 for United’s first ever game in the fourth round of the FA Cup. A sellout crowd of 12,000 packed the Abbey to witness the visitors, fifth in Division One, take the lead in the 16th minute through Terry Donovan. That served as a wake-up call to the U’s and they equalised 17 minutes later via Chris Turner’s first ever goal for the club, a thunderous header. In the second half a rampant United forced 16 corners to Villa’s 7 but had to settle for a draw. “I’m not used to the crowd so close to me,” said Villans keeper Jimmy Rimmer. “I really had to concentrate.”

The replay at Villa Park attracted an attendance of 36,835, far and away the largest number ever to see the U’s at the time, and Villa’s second best crowd of the season, more than they had drawn to see Manchester United or local rivals West Bromwich Albion. Donovan again shot the hosts ahead early on but Steve Spriggs slipped through to equalise on 14 minutes, only for Donovan to double his tally just before half-time. United were then undone by two goals in two minutes from set pieces on the hour mark from Allan Evans and Brian Little, but battled gallantly to the end.

Villa visited the Abbey again later that same year but the following season in the third round of the League Cup. The visitors were on the way to the League title while the U’s lay 18th in Division Two, but the attendance was a disappointing 7,628 with Villa having returned 2,200 of their 2,850 terrace tickets unsold.

England international winger Tony Morley give the Villans the lead inside six minutes, but United responded almost immediately when Tom Finney headed against the bar and the ball cannoned into the net off Rimmer’s back. The Abbey was then sent into raptures by Spriggs’ 30-yard thunderbolt on 18 minutes which put the hosts in front, and they hung on thereafter for a famous win to add to their home and away victories over Wolves in the previous round.

Villa skipper Dennis Mortimer blamed United’s “small and tight” pitch, but that was an optical illusion, because the dimensions of the Abbey and Villa Park’s playing surfaces were exactly the same, 115 yards x 75 yards.
If you search the history books you will find that Aston Villa also played Cambridge United in a friendly on 6th April 1911, but that United had no connection with the club which was founded as Abbey United a year later. Villa won 4-2 in front of a crowd of 800 at Cambridge’s County Ground, in Malta Road off Mill Road, and that United amalgamated with Cambridge Town in 1914, keeping the latter club’s name.

Player Ratings
Norris 7. His poor kick led to Villa’s second goal, but otherwise satisfactory.
Keane 8. The real Keith Keane has stood up at last.
Coulson 7. Won several decisive headers.
Dallison 7. New boy looks the part.
Adams 7. Another good showing, just needs game time.
Elito 7. Fairly poor first half on the wing in which he regularly drifted out of position and left Keane exposed, much better after the break in a central midfield role. He and Norris were the only men to complete a full 90 minutes.
Newton 7. Continued his fine form.
Clark 7. Calm and assured as ever.
Berry 7. Lively and always involved.
Williamson 7. Pacy and alert, but that first goal of pre-season still eludes him.
McGurk 6. Injured early on and subbed off after barely a quarter of an hour after promising early signs.


Taylor 7. Getting back towards last season’s excellent form.
Trialist 6. Did nothing wrong, debatable if he did enough right.
Legge 7. Ever reliable.
Roberts 7. One particularly fine block.
Williams 6. Played his part.
Maris 7. Fiercely committed as ever.
Dunne 7. Quietly effective.
Dunk 8. All action as usual.
Mingoia 7. Put in some useful work on the right flank.
Pigott 7. Always looked dangerous. Number 1 striker at the moment.

Match Summary
United gave a good account of themselves against higher level opponents, and only let themselves down by conceding goals to basic defensive mistakes. They’re almost ready, just a little residual rust to shake off.

Man of the Match
Keith Keane. Calm, controlled and influential performance at right-back and in central midfield.

Ref Watch
Rock 6. A few dubious decisions, notably near the end, but no major complaints.
Soundtrack of the Day
Whitney “No Matter Where We Go”

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Statto Corner

United first met Ipswich, or rather their reserves, at the Abbey in the semi-final of the East Anglian Cup on 10th March 1951. A remarkable match was level at 4-4 after 90 minutes, but extra-time goals from Stan Thurston and Neville Rose saw the U’s through 6-4 to a final which they lost 3-1 away to Great Yarmouth.

United defeated those reserves 5-2 in a friendly six years later, but a stronger Town line-up thrashed the U’s 9-2 in May 1961 in a benefit match for full-back David Deacon which was restricted to 80 minutes, mercifully for the hosts. Ipswich’s reserves returned to the Abbey for another friendly in 1969 which the U’s won 2-1, then their first team visited in 1972 in a testimonial for midfielder John Gregson and duly reversed the scoreline thanks to goals from Rod Belfitt and Jimmy Robertson.

They returned for striker Dave Simmons’ testimonial five years later and won 3-1 with strikes from Roger Osborne, Peter Kitchen and Trevor Whymark after Alan Biley had put the U’s in front.

The pre-seasons of 1978, 1979 and 1980 saw both clubs participate in the Willhire Cup alongside Norwich City and Colchester United. Ipswich won 3-1 at the Abbey in the first tournament, their scorers David Geddis, Clive Woods and Paul Mariner against another one for Biley, while in 1979 they won 2-1 at Portman Road, John Wark putting them ahead from the penalty spot; a Russell Osman own goal levelled the scores, but Terry Butcher won it in the last minute. A year later United finally won, 1-0, a Tom Finney goal defeating a full-strength Tractor Boys side which included Arnold Muhren, Frans Thijssen, Eric Gates, Mick Mills, George Burley and Paul Cooper.

Ipswich did not visit the Abbey again until 1986 for a testimonial benefitting Keith Osgood, who had been forced to retire through injury, but by now United were tumbling down the divisions and they were thrashed 4-0 in front of a meagre crowd of 1,106, goals coming from Mark Brennan (2), Jason Dozzell and Ian Atkins. Two months later Town returned to the Abbey for a third-round Littlewoods Cup tie and the U’s pulled off a major giant-killing act by beating them 1-0 thanks to David Crown’s strike on the verge of half-time; this time the attendance was 8,893.
The following August, Ipswich were back again for another testimonial for a player who had had his career cut short, Steve Dowman, and Dozzell scored the only goal of the game in front of 1,268.

Soon United were on the way back up again under Chris Turner then John Beck, and the clubs’ only season in the same division was 1991-92. In an unforgettable night on 9th November at Portman Road between two promotion chasers, Gary Rowett gave the U’s a first-half lead, Mick Stockwell equalised 11 minutes from time, but Steve Claridge scrambled a winner four minutes later to take United to the top of Division Two for the first time in their history. They were still second when the clubs met again at the Abbey in March, drawing 1-1 with a Simon Milton opener swiftly cancelled out by Mick Heathcote, but at the end of the season it was Ipswich who went up as champions while the U’s lost to Leicester City in the playoff semi-finals. They haven’t done much since, eh…?

The next Cambs-Suffolk reunion came in the Coca-Cola Cup second round of 1993-94, the clubs now two divisions apart, but Ipswich duly won both legs, 2-1 at home and 2-0 away, Ian Marshall and Chris Kiwomya sealing it at the Abbey. Ipswich were invited to contest the Cambs Professional Cup the following season, and despite taking the lead via Milton inside 25 seconds, two goals from Carlo Corazzin and one from Ollie Morah shocked a strong Town side to keep the cup in the county.

The clubs have not met competitively since. Ipswich won a pre-season friendly 2-0 in 1998 with goals from Matt Holland and Mark Venus, then ran out 3-0 victors in Ian Darler’s testimonial in 2005, and since then four friendlies have finished 4-4 (2006), 2-2 (2011), 2-0 to Ipswich (2012) and 3-2 to Ipswich (2015).

Player Ratings
Norris 7. One outstanding save, always looked safe.
Taylor 7. Looked totally at home on the right.
Legge 7. Mr Reliable.
Dallison 7. Strong complement to Legge.
Dunk 7. Good job at left-back and also managed a decent number of forward runs too.
Dunne 7. Steady hand on the tiller.
Clark 7. So calm on the ball.
Mingoia 7. Always one to watch.
Maris 8. A bundle of energy.
Berry 7. Assured captain’s performance.
Pigott 8. Led the line well and just cannot stop scoring goals.
Keane 7. Coolly authoritative.
Coulson 7. Decent effort.
Roberts 7. Used his experience.
Adams 7. Settled in well.
Newton 7. Superb assist.
Williams 7. Growing in confidence.
Elito 6. Unlikely to cause Mingoia and Dunk many sleepless nights.
Williamson 6. Worked hard but really needs a goal.

Match Summary

A tough, competitive workout against a useful Ipswich side in sweltering heat took United to the next level in their quest to be ready for the big kickoff in a fortnight’s time. The signs are promising.

Man of the Match
George Maris. The new boy has enjoyed a consistent and impressive pre-season and is knocking loudly on the door of a League start.

Ref Watch
Woolmer 6. Little to do, although blew for time distinctly early.

Soundtrack of the Day
Justice “Safe and Sound”

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Cambridge United 1-1 Ipswich Town: Summer days drifting away

Andrew Bennett reporting from a sun-drenched Cambs Glass (a.k.a.'The Abbey') Stadium:
“SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER! SCHOOL’S BEEN BLOWN TO PIECES!”

That evocative old song by Alice Cooper soundtracked many a happy end of term for my generation and doubtless the generations that followed, albeit its assertion that school had been blown to pieces was fanciful in the extreme, however much one might have wished that it were true. Mine is still there in Queen Edith’s Way, as far as I know, never having been back there since I escaped with two A-levels more years ago than I care to remember.

The end of summer term conjured up a vista of seemingly endless leisure, all under a blazing hot sun, which would only start to fade when the dreaded “Back to School” uniform ads began to run. The only drawback to such a utopia was that if the family whisked you away on holiday, you might miss some football, either a friendly or something more important, depending on when the dates fell.
So it was that there were vast swathes of empty space at the Abbey (sorry, CAMBS GLASS STADIUM) today as United fans jetted off to places not much warmer than Cambridge, or spent the night on the A20, rather than witness the U’s toiling in the heat against our old friends from down the A14, Ipswich Town. The temperature was not as extreme as it was earlier in the week, but a still, muggy afternoon provided a testing environment for both sets of players, as well as the poor soul in Marvin The Moose’s furry outfit. Only joking kids, he’s real, of course.

The old place has had quite a spruce-up over the summer, with the new stadium name prominent, an additional ticket office and a striking makeover for the Supporters Club (sorry, ABBEY LOUNGE) which looks like vertical decking or the entrance to a Swedish sauna. The area behind the Habbin has also been made over with a stonking new refreshment outlet and multiple tea bars, with stonking prices to match but a much greater choice, although if they sell a single helping of wine at £5 a pop over the whole season I will be astonished, unless I have seriously underestimated the average U’s fan’s appetite for a cheeky Chablis or Rioja as the perfect complement to their pre-match meal. Hmm, what goes best with a hot dog and a Twix, white or red? The eternal dilemma…
United line-up: Norris; Taylor, Legge, Dallison, Dunk; Dunne, Clark; Mingoia, Maris, Berry; Pigott
On the bench: Gregory, Keane, Adams, Roberts, Coulson, Elito, Newton, Williams, Williamson

Shaun Derry selected a strong team in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, demonstrating his preference for a left-footed centre-back by picking Tom Dallison to partner Leon Legge, while Harrison Dunk started at left-back with Luke Berry shoehorned into left midfield ahead of him alongside George Maris, with the man in goalscoring form, Joe Pigott, up front. Every other member of the squad was on the bench except for Barry Corr and Elliot Omozusi, and new signing Adam McGurk.

Ipswich fielded a strong eleven which included Daryl Murphy, fresh from his exploits with Ireland at Euro 2016, and the Scottish international with the French name, Christophe Berra.

The teams looked well matched in the early stages, both passing the ball fluently on Ian Darler’s bowling green of a pitch, but it was some 10 minutes before the first shot in anger, Maris’ effort comfortably stopped by Bartosz Bialkowski. Three minutes later Josh Emmanuel crossed and Murphy rose to head for the bottom corner from close range, only to be thwarted by a superb diving reaction save from Will Norris; Shane McLoughlin converted the rebound, but was offside.

The match continued in a similar vein but with little goalmouth action, Pigott leading the line well with good support from the midfield, while Leon Legge and Greg Taylor were in imperious form at the back to stifle Ipswich’s attacking ambitions.

The visitors lost Luke Hyam on 34 to injury, diminutive 16-year-old Tristan Nydam replacing him in a numberless shirt, and the lively Maris had a shot parried by Bialkowski then fired wide after being set up Pigott to underline his credentials for the central attacking midfield slot in direct competition to his captain, Berry. Maris came closest to breaking the deadlock on 44 when a through ball from Max Clark sent him clear down the left channel, he rounded the keeper, but, driven wide, slotted his shot against the outside of the post from a narrowing angle.

Thus far it had been an absorbing contest without really catching fire, goal incidents at something of a premium, albeit the stifling humidity was not helping; they had even been given a drinks break halfway through the first 45.

After more refreshments both teams resumed part two unchanged. Clark fired just past the post early on, while Jonas Knudsen had a shot deflected for a corner on 52. Ipswich introduced David McGoldrick and Freddie Sears just before the hour, while on 68 a vast raft of substitutions saw the visitors make eight more changes while United brought on all of their replacements bar keeper David Gregory, with only Berry and Pigott remaining on the field of the outfield players. The latter was accompanied up front by Ben Williamson as the team adjusted to a 4-4-2 formation.

The changes gave the contest fresh impetus, both teams’ fresh legs increasing the pace. Tommy Smith flicked a header just wide from a corner on 75, while a United free-kick two minutes later found the head of Mark Roberts who set up Josh Coulson for a difficult half-volley which he could not keep down. Dylan Williams then did well to win the ball on the right touchline and found Pigott just inside the box, but he completely mistimed his half-volley and scuffed wide.

A goal finally looked likely on 79 when Murphy sent Sears through, clear on goal down the middle, but Norris advanced, spread himself and blocked the shot with his left leg. Four minutes later, however, Sears crossed to Andre Dozzell (son of Jason) and with some neat footwork in a crowded box he placed his ten-yard shot calmly into the bottom right corner. 1-0.

That looked likely to win the game, but United responded five minutes later with an exquisitely executed goal; Conor Newton received the ball in the centre circle and burst into empty space down the pitch, then slid a perfect through pass to Pigott, who remained cool and placed his shot low past Bialkowski before any blue shirt could get near him. Six goals in four games: 1-1.

The match ended in bizarre circumstances as referee Woolmer blew the final whistle a good two or three minutes early, but it suited both sides to claim an honourable draw in the sapping heat, albeit Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy was furious at the nature of the goal his side conceded, using the words “bull****,” “p*** poor” and “garbage” in case the players had any doubts about his feelings.

All in all it had been a very worthwhile exercise and raised some interesting selection dilemmas for Derry with two pre-season matches left and competition for places throughout the team. The holidays are long finished for everyone at the Abbey (sorry, CAMBS GLASS STADIUM) and the season is already off and running. Hurry on back, vacationers.


Cambridge United 0-3 Aston Villa: Supersize us, please

Andrew Bennett reporting for 'Coconuts' from the Habbin:

United’s pre-season itinerary has long consisted of two traditional strands: away matches against smaller clubs, and home games versus ‘big’ clubs. But how big is ‘big’ these days? Is a club’s perceived size these days based on its history, its income or the number of £100 million yachts its owner has managed to amass? It seems almost compulsory now for English clubs, not just in the Premier League but lower down, to be taken over by some exotic businessman (they’re always men) who promises to make his new plaything bigger than Apple and Microsoft combined by the simple expedient of throwing more money at it than the last megalomaniac who took over an unsuspecting football club.

The English language is rich in subtle layers of distinction between words which on the face of it mean the same thing. By my reckoning Manchester United are gigantic, Manchester City are vast, Chelsea are gargantuan, Arsenal are immense, Liverpool are enormous, Tottenham Hotspur are massive, West Ham United are huge and Everton are whopping, so what does that make champions Leicester City? A piffling ‘large’? ‘Big’ just does not seem to cover it any more.

And what, then, of Aston Villa, former champions of Europe and England (ask your grandad) who have just been taken over by a Chinese million/billion/zillionaire who has declared that he intends his new charges to be “top three in the world, even the best well known in the world, in less than 10 years”? How big are they now, with the prospect of League meetings this season with Rotherham, Burton, Barnsley and Brentford? And what are they doing slumming it at Cambridge United on a Tuesday night when the really ‘big’ clubs are taking part in grand, portentous tours and competitions in far-flung marketing territories like the USA, the Far East and Australia?

It seems size isn’t everything after all; it never was. That is why Iceland, Northern Ireland and Wales were able to compete so effectively against much bigger nations over the summer. It isn’t just what you’ve got, it’s what you do with it. And Villa’s previous owner didn’t do anything with it; he just tucked it away and acted like he’d forgotten it was there.

Villa were an embarrassment last season, winning three league games all year with a team that just seemed to shrug its shoulders and give up long before the bitter end. Now they must rebuild, their new owner’s loftily ambitious words ringing in their ears, with an impressively decorated manager, Roberto di Matteo, who is gradually whittling away at the dead wood in his squad and replacing it with some fresh shoots of hope.

The squad which they sent to the Abbey tonight was missing some big names (Richards, Lescott, Guzan, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede) but still contained some reasonably well-known names such as Jack Grealish, Carlos Sanchez, Leandro Bacuna and Scott Sinclair, one of many players who joined a vast club (see above) and found himself crowded out by the sheer volume of talent which it had accumulated for no apparent reason other than that it could.

United line-up: Norris; Keane, Coulson, Dallison, Adams; Elito, Newton, Clark, Berry; Williamson, McGurk
On the bench: Gregory, Taylor, Trialist, Legge, Roberts, Williams, Dunne, Maris, Dunk, Pigott, Mingoia

Shaun Derry’s starting eleven differed significantly from that which lined up against Ipswich and included a debut for Adam McGurk in a 4-4-2 formation, while the substitutes included an unnamed right-back trialist who looked a bit like the one who played in Wattenscheid, but I was too far away to tell for sure. Is there a binoculars app for mobiles?

A reasonable crowd of 3,961 was in attendance, with 816 away supporters on a pleasantly mild summer’s evening, and United took the field sporting their smart new white second strip (consume! consume!) with Villa in their traditional claret and blue. Some traditions cannot and should not be changed, as Cardiff’s owner found to his cost.

The match began at a lively lick, both sides passing the ball with pace and purpose, and within five minutes United could have been in front when McGurk found Luke Berry with a superb diagonal through ball, but after surging into the box with the goal at his mercy, the skipper’s shot bobbled wide of the far post. In the next attack McGurk had a go himself but his powerful half-volley was well blocked by Kevin Toner.

Villa took the lead on 8 with a goal of exceptional quality. Sinclair received the ball wide on the left, wrong-footed Keith Keane to create himself some space, then curled a magnificent angled shot with his right foot over Will Norris into the far top corner. 1-0.

Within a minute the disparity was doubled. Villa pressed United from the kickoff, Blair Adams passed it back to Norris and his attempted clearance only found Sinclair midway into the United half; he swiftly passed it forward to teenager Rushian (“Rushian”?!) Hepburn-Murphy, Josh Coulson and Tom Dallison both failed to dispossess him and he slid it under the advancing Norris from ten yards. Oh dear: 2-0.

Some of us were already racking our brains for the club’s worst ever defeat on home territory, but the U’s responded positively. McGurk went down with an injury on 11 and resumed after lengthy treatment, but it soon became evident that he could not continue and he was withdrawn six minutes later for Harrison Dunk, who took Berry’s place wide left while the skipper stationed himself behind Ben Williamson in a 4-4-1-1 set-up.

The front two combined well on 20 when Berry flicked it forward to send Williamson through on goal, but his attempted lob over keeper Pierluigi Gollini plopped easily into the keeper’s outstretched gloves. Bacuna then fired wide for the visitors, but by now United were giving as much as they were getting with some fluent build-up play which only lacked that killer final ball.

A run and cross from Dunk on 27 found Williamson but his powerful shot was blocked by his own man, Berry, and two minutes later a fine cross from the increasingly influential Keane was headed narrowly wide of his own post by Jordan Lyden with white shirts breathing down his neck. United continued to push and probe, Dunk sending a couple of speculative shots wide, but neither side could find a finish in the final third.

A minute before half-time Coulson did very well to head a Grealish cross over his own bar, and Joe Bennett’s ensuing corner somehow curled and bounced low across the six-yard box before running out of play past the far post without anyone getting a touch.

United had certainly given a decent account of themselves in the first 45 and they were left to reflect ruefully on the two minutes of madness which now divided the teams.

Derry made one change for part two, introducing the trialist at right-back for Max Clark with Keane moving into central midfield. The U’s resumed brightly and Coulson set up Dunk for a shot at goal on 49, again just wide of the target, and seven minutes later another searching Keane cross was headed behind by Jores Okore under pressure from Berry.

Villa made their first change on 57, introducing shock-headed Colombian international Carlos ‘La Roca’ Sanchez for new boy Aaron Tshibola, and five minutes later the trialist rounded off a good overlapping run with a shot on the turn which lacked the power to trouble Gollini. Andre Green then replaced Lacuna for the visitors, while on 70 Derry ushered on his remaining substitutes, bar keeper David Gregory, so that the team now read Norris; Trialist, Legge, Roberts, Taylor; Mingoia, Elito, Dunne, Williams; Maris; Pigott.

Medy Elito moved into central midfield, where he looked more comfortable than out wide, and George Maris supported target man Joe Pigott, but on 78 Villa sealed their win when Green dribbled past Greg Taylor, who stopped to claim handball instead of playing to the whistle, enabling Green to advance unchallenged to the byline where he pulled it back for Gary Gardner to lash home unmarked from 12 yards. Another soft one: 3-0.

The visitors’ third substitution saw the lively Grealish replaced by Jordan Veretout. Ten minutes from time Maris was felled by Sanchez on the right-hand side of the penalty box, but ref Rock awarded a free-kick millimetres outside the area instead of the spot-kick for which the NRE howled. Maris’ kick was disappointingly overhit, Pigott retrieved it with a header back into the danger area but Elito’s looping nod was comfortably plucked from the air by Gollini.

Maris then blasted over from distance but had a much better chance on 85 when he and Pigott both went for a Dylan Williams cross from the left; somehow they got in each other’s way and the ball bounced off him and trundled wide of the post. Taylor then crossed for Pigott and Lyden to dive together, the defender just managing to head it wide for a corner, and that was United’s last chance gone.

Overall it was a decent performance against quality opposition, United’s finishing just not quite matching their approach play, but the squad appears to have gelled well and Derry has some difficult choices to make for the first League game if this was the last friendly of pre-season, following the most unsurprising news imaginable about Braintree’s laughing stock of a playing surface. We are only a small club, but we are well placed to make it big this season. Well, biggish; size is, after all, entirely relative…

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Make a note of the date - Saturday 6th August, following Cambridge United v Barnet.

Join former U's favourite Tom Youngs for what promises to be a fascinating question & answer session, followed by the launch of his book 'What dreams are (not quite) made of'

Here's a quick preview from the man himself:

"From Chapter Two, 'The Coldham's Common Lottery' to Chapter 11, 'Small Print, Big Let-Down',

the book moves from my first selection for the Cambridge United centre of excellence, aged 10, to my departure to Northampton Town in 2003.

On the way, I discuss:

- being marked by Rio Ferdinand on my youth-team debut in 1996

- benefitting from an administrative error to be given a slightly more generous first professional contract than expected in 1997

- slowly winning over some sceptics on the terraces to eventually establish myself in the first team

- the disappointment of being unable to keep Roy McFarland in his job

- a difficult eight months under John Beck

- the run to the LDV final which gave everybody at least a bit of respite during our trying relegation season

- the contract dispute that led to me making the tough decision to leave the club

- my sadness at parting from the Cambridge fans, and why I rank them as the best I've seen


All of the above are shot through with details of my memories of life in the dressing room and on the pitch at the Abbey, and then the following chapters move on to my time at Northampton, Leyton Orient, Bury and beyond, eventually coming to my diagnosis and the uncertainties of the future"
Come along and support 'one of our own' - it's going to be a good 'un!

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Cambridge Utd Women’s FC are pleased to announce a range of sponsorship packages for the 2016/17 campaign

Having gained entry into the new re-structured FA Womens Premier League – South East Division One – Cambridge Utd Women’s FC are looking as part of it’s growth plans to engage with more local and national organisations in order to try and push the club on to the next level.

Cambridge Utd Women’s FC, the premier women’s football club in the county, is very excited about the club’s future and we hope that you will join us on our journey.

For further details please contact Steve Edwards Phone: 07834 953537

For further details see the brochure or dowload the brochure below

The FA Board has nominated Greg Clarke to be the new Chairman of The Football Association.

Clarke was recommended by the Nominations Committee, which was chaired by independent director Roger Devlin and also included acting Chairman David Gill and leader of the Council, Barry Bright. 

This nomination was approved unanimously by the Board and the FA Council will be asked to endorse this appointment at a special meeting to be held on 24 August 2016.

Devlin said: “The Board was in full agreement that Greg was the right appointment to become the new Chairman of The FA, particularly with respect to his successful tenure as Chairman of the Football League. 

Read more at
www.thefa.com/news/thefa/2016/jul/the-football-association-appoints-greg-clarke-as-chairman#i7fi88fhiQH47I60.99

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How high will crowds be in 2016-17?

WITH the opening of West Ham United’s Olympic Stadium this coming season, the English Premier League may see a slight increase in attendances. The Hammers will undoubtedly average 50,000 for the first time in their long history, but the change in composition in the Premier will see clubs with smaller crowd potential coming to the top division. According to Football Benchmark’s latest study on stadium use and capacity, the promoted clubs could have a slightly negative impact on overall attendance figures.

https://gameofthepeople.com/2016/07/19/where-will-gates-rise-in-2016-17/

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TODAY’S non-league club has many options when communicating with its supporters, its sponsors and the greater community. Things have changed substantially since the days when the local newspaper and the match programme were the only outlets. But the new paradigm delivers many more opportunities for the small non-league club. Here’s some ideas based on 20 years’ experience as a non-league press officer and a corporate communications professional. This was first published as a “white paper” under Game of the People Insights.Plenty of atmospheric noise

Non-League football clubs are competing on many fronts for attention: rival football clubs; other sporting entities; social news; the political correctness agenda; and marketing-driven content. Given the current structure of local newspapers, much depends on how a club “spoon-feeds” the local media. The days of the local reporter attending football matches are largely gone. Devoting resources to an entity that may only attract 200-300 people is impractical for many newspaper groups. So, a non-league club has to be forward thinking about the way it conducts its media efforts. For a start, a club should examine what is NEEDED and what is NICE TO HAVE. It must also ensure scarce financial resources are directed in the best possible way. For example, is it worth spending cash on something where there is not a need? While everyone wants to think of their club as Real Madrid, if West Ham & Egg Sandwich Albion attracts only 50 people, the need for a sophisticated website and social media campaign is unwarranted when all you really need is to slap some posters around town to drum up support every fortnight.


https://gameofthepeople.com/2016/07/19/commanding-the-airwaves-a-quide-for-non-league-clubs/

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FA must reform or face losing funding, says Sports Minister Tracey Crouch

The FA could lose millions of pounds of funding if it does not reform, says Sports Minister Tracey Crouch.

Money will be given to other projects, and potentially county football associations, if changes are not made, she told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.

Crouch said: "I'm not shy to say to the FA 'if you don't reform your governance structures, I will give that money to other bodies that deliver football'."

She said the governing body receives £30m to £40m of public funding.
Earlier this month, former FA chairman David Bernstein said the organisation was "outdated" and needed reform.

Read more
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36877406

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You can join the Lottery this Sunday at the Open Day. The Lottery team will be in the Supporters so come along and sign up or find out more about the scheme.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (22 July 2016) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (3286)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1100.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (22 July 2016) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (4305)
-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 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.

 If you are going to the Open Day on Sunday 24th come along and see the follwoing in the Supporters Club

• Grosvenor Planning Application Exhibition
• 100 years of coconuts museum
• CFU
• Cambridge United Community Trust Stand,
• White Ribbon Campaign Stand, C Cambridge United’s Women’s Football Club

Read more at http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/-cambridge-united-announce-exciting-open-day-schedule-3193715.aspx#UOc7mEyGqvGSHvDq.99

When you come to think about it, the society of today has significantly improved when it comes to gender equality, the times where “football is for boys”, and, “ballet is for girls” is no longer apparent in our day-to-day lives.

Consequently, the overall impact of women’s football on our lives today is for some reason still frowned upon, with the media and general public promoting inequality and sexism, regardless of the fact that this is a sport for everyone to love. But, when you turn to the situation as a whole, you begin to realise that women’s football is on the rise – and will continue to be so.

2012 proved to be an important stepping stone for the future of women’s football, the Football Association launched a plan to help improve the game over the next five years and make it the second most played sport in the country – only being second to men’s football. Also, the GB Women’s football team smashed TV and attendance records where they finished in a respectful quarter-finals position. They started to develop the Women’s Super League as well as make more women’s matches live on television.

http://outsideoftheboot.com/2016/07/13/increasing-popularity-womens-football/

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We recently asked for your opinions and views concerning the United expericence

Please see below for the analysis of the replies.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey.

There has been a lot of work undertaken over the summer by everyone at the club. I hope you will notice some of the changes made have resolved some of the points.

Others will take longer to resolve, however, they will starting to be worked on

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Food - Vegetarianism Report

If you are looking to travel with Cambridge United to Colchester for the opening away fixture on the 13th August 2016, I understand that the ticket price increases the nearer to matchday it gets.

If you want to buy one in advance and perhaps make a saving then click on the link below

https://venuetoolbox.com/cambridgeunited/ASP/bookTickets.asp

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Before the match and at half time against Newmarket a collection took place for Shuan Whiter and Joey Abbs.

The collection raised £927.20 pence. Thank you to everyone for their donations

If you were not able to get to the match and would like to contribute there will be a collection point in the club shop and also the CFU outlet on Saturday.

There will also be a collection point in the club shop on Sunday during the open day

Thank you to Carol Looker, Margaret Pearson and Tim Christopher for orgainsing the collection and Lorraine in the club shop for counting the funds.

Cambridge United have a friendly on Tuesday against Newmarket. We have arranged to  have a collection before the match for Shuan Whiter and Joey Abbs.

We will also be going around the ground again at half time. Thank you.

For further match details see - http://newmarkettownfc.co.uk/

Have Your Say With The EFL Supporters Survey

U’s fans are invited to have their say on their experience of supporting Cambridge United and as a thank you will have the opportunity to be entered in to a prize draw to win one of a great range of football related prizes.

The EFL is conducting a supporters’ survey to find out the views of U’s fans and in particular the matchday experience at the Cambs Glass Stadium. The results will be shared with Cambridge United to allow your opinions to be considered when planning for the future.

Read more at http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/-cambridge-united-efl-supporters-matchday-experience-survey-have-your-say-3187597.aspx#yjKVSh7wxjpOsLps.99

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THERE was something very unsettling about sitting in the conservatory of a luxury hotel and enjoying a hearty breakfast as you watched the centre of George Square, Glasgow prepare for the Homeless World Cup. Unsettling because the night before, I was a little unhappy that the water brought to my room was not sparkling and the tea was Earl Grey not English Breakfast, as requested. As I studied the impressive tableaux before me take shape, a voice in my ear said to me: “Get a life, for Christ’s sake”.

Seeing members of the 60-odd teams walking around Glasgow, taking “selfies” and enjoying some form of mild celebrity – Bulgaria and Hungary were clearly enjoying themselves – was a humbling experience for somebody who has enjoyed a relatively comfortable life compared to that endured by some of the young people taking part in the HWC 2016. Actually, humbling is probably not the word I was searching for – red-faced with shame is probably more appropriate after my remonstrations about beverages in my hotel room.

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The Amber Army can now purchase tickets online, in-store and by calling 01223 566 500 for the U's season opener against Barnet FC at the Cambs Glass Stadium, with season ticket holders also able to secure their place for the Sheffield Wednesday clash in the EFL Cup.
 
Shaun Derry's side kick off the new Sky Bet League Two season on Saturday 6th August (kick off 3:00pm) with the U's desperate for the fantastic support of the Amber Army once more in order to begin the new campaign in style.

Read more at http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/barnet-and-sheffield-wednesday-tickets-on-sale-3184950.aspx#puD09aiXZklqMEvd.99

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CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (15 July 2016) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (9564)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1050.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (15 July 2016) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (4923)
-there was a winner of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week winning a total of £300.00.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

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

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Following Midsummer Common, Stourbridge Common, Parker's Piece and the Celery Trenches, Abbey United settled on their current site in the 1930s. With a revamp of the Abbey Stadium on the horizon, Andrew Bennett here provides a blow-by-blow account of his beloved Wembley of the Fens, home of the U's.

​Cambridge United were formed as Abbey United in 1912 and played their first friendlies on Midsummer Common in the centre of the city. After the World War I they reformed and made their home on Stourbridge Common, home to the largest fair in Europe in the Middle Ages, which inspired the Vanity Fair described by John Bunyan in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

http://www.100yearsofcoconuts.co.uk/the-abbey-stadium-story.html

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