CFU’s update on the club’s audit

As supporters may know, Cambridge United’s Board of Directors has appointed Price Bailey to undertake a full audit of the club’s accounts for the financial year ended at the end of July. This is something which shareholders and CFU have wanted to see, in light of the substantial losses incurred in the previous financial year.

In his remarks in the Cheltenham matchday programme, Director of Business, Shaun Grady, commented on CFU’s valuable involvement in determining the scope of the audit.

Chair of CFU, Robert Osbourn, welcomed the opportunity to influence the terms of the audit and is looking forward to meeting with both the auditors and also newly appointed Finance Director, Duncan Foyle.

“It is important to be thorough in examining the finances and in planning for commercial success in the future and we will do all we can to see that this is done, in the interests of the club and its fans”, he said.

Today, all those years ago saw Abbey United’s new home being officially opened on the August 31st 1932

Below is the story written by Luke Emson following Ed's 100th birthday.

He played in the first match on the new ground for Cambridge University Press.

Edwin William Chapman sadly passed away on Friday 23 November 2012

Ed Chapman: 100 Years Old 
The turn of the year marked the start of centenary celebrations for Cambridge United Football Club, an excuse for reflection on the last century. And in late January, fireworks erupted in magnificent colours overhead on a chilly winter evening.

However, this extremely fitting festivity was not in celebration of the U’s, who started life as Abbey United, but to mark another centenary year, with friends and family gathered on the pavement in Green Park to celebrate the 100th birthday of local lad Eddie Chapman.

Following the entertainment and a spontaneous outbreak of Happy Birthday with champagne held aloft, Ed retreated from the cold into his front living room, beside the fireplace, where he began to look back on his time with his thoughts and memories about football in years gone by.

Ed was very much interested in sport and played for Cambridge University Press, where he worked from his early teenage years in Trumpington Street, in both football during the winter and cricket in the summer.

The players were given Saturdays off to allow them to play and would travel to games by coach with their partner.

Upon being prompted to recollect when he started playing the beautiful game, Ed chortled: “Since I was about two, I think.”

In football of 2012, it is almost ridiculous to suggest a pitch which is not a lush-green, flat surface, but Ed suffered unimaginably poor quality pitches and described them as “awful,” before adding: “They weren’t pitches back then.”

During Ed’s lifetime, his local club played in five different locations with the newly-formed Abbey United playing on Midsummer Common in the year of his birth, until the First World War.

In the club's twentieth year, in a bid to expand following an unsuccessful move to Parker’s Piece in the heart of Cambridge, Ed saw the club move once more to Newmarket Road, and to the site of the current R Costings Abbey Stadium.

During this time, the footballs themselves were nothing like the light, mind-of-their-own swerving balls of today, far from it. However, Ed shrugged off suggestions he had it much tougher with the equipment of his era, by saying: “They weren’t very hard – just leather and rubber.”

And the 100-year-old, bearing a mischievous twinkle in his eyes when quizzed on the big boots he used to wear, replied: “No, mine weren’t (big) – I had small feet.”

Not only does Ed share the same birth year as his local club, he played a part in its history, as a 20-year-old, by playing in the club’s first game at the Abbey.

Ed, playing left-half, was on the losing side as his Cambridge University Press side went down 2-0 in the 1932 friendly, but he still remembers the facilities available at the time, following the celebrations of the new ground opening.

“You’d always get a good cup of tea at the end (of a game) – there were eatables at half-time,” reminisced Ed. “There were no pools or anything (to wash in) – just tin bathtubs.”  

One summer, following the football season, Ed had the pleasure of playing against cricket legend Sir Jack Hobbs, and remembers agonisingly dropping the England international on 99, who then proceeded to notch a century.

Whilst Ed’s football days have passed, the sport itself continues to progress and Cambridge United will be looking to reflect on their history to formulate a springboard for success over the next century.

We recently put a story online about when United played Lincoln in the first League match in 1970 see the story here First League Match 1970 v Lincoln - Were you there? What do you remember?

Please see below some of the replies that were added onto facebook concerning the match. If you would like to add a comment please add one below at the bottom of the article


Davd Cooper -
I went to the game....i remember the buzz...leading up to the season...being voted in into the league....being in with the big teams...how far could we go...the FA Cup 1st round....big crowds..Lincoln fans being turned away outside of Cambridge...because fear of crowd trouble....just a magic time for U's fans.....and the city still stuck in the non league....best time to be a Utd fan....because it was the unkown...and we had come so far...over 10 years....up the U's...

Derek Lay -
I remember the score being One, One. and a photo in the daily mirror of a lincoln player and Cambridge united Peter Legget not sure about the spelling,but they said he looks like he could be the next George Best, some think like that, it was a long time ago

Russell Unwin -
Yeh i was there,played in the all white with black and amber cuffs and collars

Geoff Peters & Gary Topham both remember that  Colin Meldrum scoring for United

David Martin -
I was there, as I was at the final game the previous season when we one the league, think it was against Chelmsford

Ray Newman
I was there one all draw Lincoln all in red I think big step up for Us

Aiidan Jones -
Trevis (?) scored first for Lincoln, sweeping home (according to Cambridge News?) from edge of penalty area after about 20 minutes. Equaliser in second half from close range. Visitors had come onto pitch several minutes before United. Draw was a fair result. Highlights were broadcast on TV the next day. Leivers reportedly said something about how for once he was content just to enjoy the match.

Paul Captain
I was there. I think Percy Freeman scored for Lincoln

Granville Hawkes has shared on Facebook the following signed photograghs

An edited version of this article appeared in the Cambridge United matchday programme for the game against Accrington Stanley on 11 November 2017. It refers to United's FA Cup match against Newport County played on December 3 of that year. Newport won 2-0.

Which football club plays in amber and black, was formed in 1912 and re-formed in 1919, and experienced a life-changing upheaval in 1989? Which football club apart from Cambridge United, that is?

The answer is Newport County, or at least the Newport County that was formed after the late-80s winding-up of the famous old club that started out in the early years of the 20th century as the Newport & Monmouth County Association Football Club.

Our 1989 experience was a little less traumatic than that of the Exiles: late in the year, inspirational manager Chris Turner was mulling over a change that would eventually see John Beck take over his chair and lead the U’s on a rampage that would see them knocking on the Premier League’s door and reaching two FA Cup quarter-finals.

For continue reading the article click here

I have found the following link on the Stevenage website for use by away supporters traveling.

Click for all the away supporters information here

Address:Stevenage Football Club  
The Lamex Stadium 
Broadhall Way 
Stevenage
Herts 
SG2 8RH

Phone number: 01438 223223

Match Day Parking:
Free match day parking for 500 cars is available to fans at Fairlands Valley car park to the north of the ground. This is clearly signposted as you enter Stevenage from Junction 7 of the A1(M).
Please note fans are prohibited from parking in the nearby retail parks due to parking restrictions, exceeding which could result in fines.

Flags and musical instruments www.stevenagefc.com/tickets/away-fan-information/flags--instruments/
Travel and how to find the ground www.stevenagefc.com/club/contact-usfind-us/

Flags & Musical Instruments...Supporters are asked to contact Stevenage FC in advance of any fixture where they wish to bring a flag or banner of significant size for the approval of the Safety Management Team. The same applies to any musical instrument. This should be done with as much notice as possible via the email address info@stevenagefc.com.

As a general rule, if the size of the crowd is expected to go over 1100 in the South Stand flags of any significant size can start to be an issue in respect of blocking sightlines, endorsements and advertising.

If we are anticipating an away crowd attendance of below 1100 then Stevenage FC will seek to usually accommodate flags and banners and place them so as to not interfere with others enjoyment of the match.

Flags and banners must be situated in accordance with stewards directions in the South Stand and not cause danger, annoyance or nuisance to any others.

Drums and other musical instruments are permitted BUT they must be situated in Block C or D of the South Stand and are subject to the same caveats as flags and banners.

All items are subject to search and final approval at the ground.

No sharp edges or items that can be of potential use as weapons/ offensive, inflammatory or political slogans etc are tolerated.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Adult £22.00
60+ £20.00
Full Time Student £20.00
Under 18 £15.00
Under 11 £5.00

Tickets are available online here, or by calling 01223 566 500 today!
AWAY COACH TRAVEL
Away coach travel will also be available for this fixture, departing Ely at 11:30am and the Abbey at 12:15pm. Places are priced as follow:

Adult £21.00
Young Adult 18-22 £18.00
Under 18 £15.00
Please head to cufcdirect.com or call 01223 566 500 to book your place.

f you prefer to travel independently the following sites may help you to organise your trip -: 

Train -:                    TRAIN INFORMATION

Coach -:                  NATIONAL EXPRESS

Car -:                       AA NEWS  SAT NAV: SG2 8RH

Weather -:               BBC WEATHER NEWS

Travel News -:         AA TRAVEL NEWS

On Saturday the Abbey Army visit  Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Adult £22.00
60+ £20.00
Full Time Student £20.00
Under 18 £15.00
Under 11 £5.00
Tickets are available online here, or by calling 01223 566500

AWAY COACH TRAVEL

Away coach travel will also be available for this fixture, departing Ely at 11:30am and the Abbey at 12:15pm. Places are priced as follow:
Adult £21.00
Young Adult 18-22 £18.00
Under 18 £15.00

Please head to cufcdirect.com or call 01223 566 500 to book your place.

When we recently had a tidy up in one of cupboards under the Main Stand we came across a couple of framed shirts.

One of the frames has the photograph of Sammy Morgan who played for the U's in the late 1970's in it.

You can watch his story on 100yearsofcoconuts TV. The three part interviewed can be viewed below

Everyone who watched him play will never forget his passion,desire and willingness for the cause

The shirt can now be seen hanging  in the passageway under the Main Stand outside the The Dublin Room

If you have any framed shirts and no longer want them please contact us via the form below

Reading the story 100yearsofcoconuts - In the master's footsteps  made me think what a wonderful job everyone in the group have done and still do.

They are not only bringing the story of Cambridge United to an audience that includes supporters. They are bringing memories to the families and individuals who made Cambridge United.

Hats off or Fez's off to Pat and his team who work hard to enable us to relive and understand what made and still makes this club so special. They are bringing alive the story of the club from the beginning to now, from Abbey United to Cambridge United and from Midsummer Common to the Abbey Stadium.

The research and confirmation of information. The collecting of articles and their preservation. Well done all of you for doing the work you are

The medals below were won by William “Fanny” Freeman during the 1920s. William is sitting on the left hand side of the trophies.

If you would like to be involved with the group or help click here to find out more

Top         Cambs League Division 1 Winners Medal from 1925/26

Middle    Cambs FA Challenge Cup Winners medal from 1926/27

Bottom    Cottenham Nursing Cup Winners Medal 1924/25

George Alsop with the Cambs Challenge Cup, Milton Road, 18 April 1925. Photo: Cambridge Chronicle/Cambridgeshire Collection at Cambridge Central Library

An edited version of this article appeared in the Cambridge United matchday programme for the game against Cheltenham Town on Saturday, 25 August 2018.

In February of this year, 100 Years of Coconuts lost its greatest asset: a one-man information storehouse and author extraordinaire in the person of Andrew Bennett.

It was a tragically heavy blow for Andrew’s family and for his legions of friends and admirers. And for a while, Coconuts people wondered how they could carry on researching and communicating the story of our club.

READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE FROM 100yearsofcoconuts

Do you see yourself in the Cheltenham Match day photos by Ben Philips

See link here Photos

Can you remember your first Cambridge United match at the Abbey Stadium? If so, who was it against and when?

Click here to let us know when it was, who it was against click here

The supporters of Abbey United and the Cambridge University are making their way to the new ground of Abbey United. It is August 31st 1932 and a friendly match is about to take place.  Next week sees the anniversary of Abbey United’s new home being officially opened.

To commemorate the event we are collecting your memories concerning the first match you went to at the Abbey.

Can you remember your first Cambridge United match at the Abbey Stadium? If so, who was it against and when? 

Use the form below to provide your recollections of the game

To read more about the history of the Abbey Stadium read here

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (24 August 2018) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (3706)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £2500.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (24 August 2018) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (0921)
-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 is 1 CUFC Lottery member matching the first pair winning £10.00
-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.

Why is Cut Throat Lane not tarmacked?

Cambridge United does not own the track known as Cut Throat Lane. It is owned jointly by the residents who live on Newmarket Road and has to remain unmetalled. Unfortunately it is not just used by the property owners in Newmarket Road and access to the stadium, we have witnessed the lane being used as a short cut when traffic is bad or as an alternative to Whitehill Road. The speed of some of these vehicles is excessive at times and while in its present condition if the surface was tarmacked it is likely the vehicles would travel at a greater speed putting more pedestrians and cyclists at greater risk of injury,   

The club is allowed to use the lane for access and tries to maintain the area throughout the year by clearing the rubbish, filling pot holes and tidying any growth along it.

We will walk the lane clearing both match day and non match day rubbish several times a week. We try to ensure we are being seen as being good neighbours which is important and a priority.

Since the beginning of the year I believe we have filled the pot holes on at least four occasions by using materials that have been kindly provided by one of our sponsors Mead Construction

During the summer and periodically we will also cut back the growth enabling vehicles to have better access.

I find the turnstiles too small to go through comfortably?

If you are unable to pass through the turnstiles without discomfort then please speak to a steward and they will arrange access through an alternative route.

Alternatively contact the club prior to the match so it can be arranged in advance of the match.

Can you reinstate a children’s standing area at the front of the NRE?

We are not allowed to have this area reinstated for standing. When the club returned to the Football League the ground was inspected and what was previously allowed withdrawn.This is to allow a throughway if the emergency services are required

Retro United tee available now!
Cambridge United have been working closely with CFU and United fans to help improve areas of the Abbey Stadium over the Summer.

One of the first improvements supporters may have noticed is the retro style painting on the North Habbin wall.  U's fans Jamie Cranwell and Ben Phillips reproduced the iconic logo onto the old brickwork in the close season.

After speaking with Jamie and other U's fans, the club is keen to help them, along with CFU raise additional funds to contribute to further artwork and murals around the ground.
The passionate supporters are also keen to improve the atmosphere and generate more vocal support at home and away games by creating visual displays along with new banners and flags.  The club are keen to back these ideas and will be helping contribute to the costs of printing and manufacturing.

The new retro print t-shirt is available online and instore priced at just £10 with funds generated being made available to help drive the above projects.

Head in store today or from 10am tomorrow, right up until kick-off and post-match!

This time of year sees the grass growing faster than ever, however what happens to all the the cuttings.

Are they simply thrown into the skip or are they re-used in some way

The answer is they are re-used. When the grass is cut they are stored in the mulching area alongside the compound and are then collected by the allotment holders to use as mulch

Do you notice that both Ian and Mick in the photos have different methods. Mick looks more casual with a lower grip while Ian pushes the handle down.

Just for fun - True or False - is Mick getting the lighter coloured cut and Ian through pushing downwards obtaining the darker line cuts?


The answer is false

We were recently asked in the CUFC supporters survey if there was something that could be done to eliminate c the puddle between the garages and turnstiles on the Cut Throat Lane. Today, due to the weather conditions we were able to have a look at the problem and hopefully resolve it.

There is a drain away in the lane and that needed to be unblocked and the pot cleared of the debris in it.

First we had the locate the drain under the build up of soil and gravel over it.

We then had the problem of lifting the grill which was stuck fast and took a good twenty mins to release.

The pot was then removed and the container cleaned out removing all the sludge from it.

The gravel was replaced in the lane and the waste removed. It took almost one wheelbarrow load to do so.

It's been a while since the U's have had a fanzine. Adding to our fantastic heritage of the Abbey Rabbit and United in Endeavour, Under The Abbey Stand (fondly known as UTAS) brings the next chapter in United zines. 

UTAS is a fortnightly podcast and quarterly fanzine, celebrating and berating all things Cambridge United. Usually the podcast is a few people sitting in a room and moaning, but the fanzine is intended as a genuine independent voice for the fans. Issue 1 is out in the world for everyone to savour, and it's got some really ace stuff in it:

- Matt Ramsay on Joe Dunne
- League 2 Season Preview
- Matthew Gooding's chance encounter with Lionel Perez
- Mike Barnes' European football travels
- Max Rushden on his first United game
- Loads of other, similar stuff...

56 pages of amber nectar, all for only £3. 

There are only a few copies of Issue 1 left and they will be residing in the CFU Caravan.  So if you're interested, do pop in a get yourself a copy before they're gone. Because once they're gone, they're gone.

To follow other stuff UTAS are up to, have a look at the very very funny Twitter feed (@AbbeyStandPod), or the website, which is updated regularly with match reports and feature pieces: www.undertheabbeystand.com. The next episode of the podcast will be out on Sunday the 27th of August, and the next issue of the fanzine in October/November (basically whenever we can be bothered to get it all together). 

Up the U's.

Next month will see the 15th anniversary of supporter ownership at League Two Exeter City.

After several turbulent years following the millenium, culminating in the arrest and successful prosecution of the then chairman and vice chairman for various criminal offences, the only group able and willing to rescue the club were its supporters. On 5th September 2003, the Exeter City Supporters' Trust acquired the majority shareholding in the club - and £4.7 million of debt!  As has happened so often in the world of football, a CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement) was set up between the club and its many creditors.  

By a totally unexpected stroke of good fortune, the club, having been relegated to the Conference at the end of the 2002-3 season, won through to the 3rd round of the FA Cup late in 2004, resulting in a trip to Old Trafford in January 2005, a quite unforgettable 0-0 draw and a replay.

To read more click here

To read more about the Exeter Trust and the work they do click on the image below

 An edited version of this article appeared in the Cambridge United matchday programme for the game against Exeter City on Tuesday, 22 August 2018.

Cambridge United are unbeaten in European competition, which is more than you can say for so-called giants like Manchester United, Arsenal, The New Saints and Wrexham.

Point out if you like that United’s involvement in contests beyond these shores is limited to two fixtures. Mention if you must that we didn’t actually play any foreign teams. Draw all the attention you want to the paltry attendances at the two competitive international matches the U’s did play – a total of 5,301.

I don’t care: the record stands. We didn’t lose either fixture.

to read more see here

Do you see yourself in the Exeter Match day photos by Ben Philips

See link here Photos

Football According to Coconuts

Ever thought of volunteering for 100 Years of Coconuts? Here’s why you should: volunteering makes you a happy person – and that’s official, as they used to say in the newspapers.

The claim is backed up by proper science. When some studious types at the London School of Economics looked at the relationship between volunteering and amounts of happiness in a bunch of American people, they found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

Compared to people who never volunteered (the lazy hounds), the odds of being ‘very happy’ rose seven per cent among those who volunteered monthly and 12 per cent among people who did it every two to four weeks.

So giving a couple of hours of your time a month is likely to put a spring in your step, even if you’re not American.
And Coconuts needs volunteers for all kinds of tasks, ranging from admin work to lifting and carrying heavy objects, research, writing, publishing jobs, working on various websites and social media, communicating with former players and many more besides.

With the group’s annual committee elections coming up in September, you could also be in with a shout of helping to determine how Coconuts develops.

Please drop us a line at 100yearsofcoconuts@gmail.com, collar your friendly neighbourhood Coconutter or have a word at the CFU caravan on a match day. Looking forward to hearing from you.

The above article was from the Amber News for August. To see more click here

Some Questions Answered Part 1

We have been asked some questions concerning the work being done around the ground during the past few months- Please see below for some of the answers and we will attempt to answer some more during the next week  –

Why do we water the pitch on match days?

 The Abbey Stadium pitch is a fibre sand construction and therefore there are several reasons for watering the pitch – the first is to ensure the moisture levels are kept up to the fibre sand manufacturers required levels. This helps provide the grass to root within the fibres.

 The moisture levels can fall due to several reasons temperature, wind and when the pitch is being played on. The surface takes up to 72 hours of moisture preparation before each fixture played on the pitch

The second reason is that coaches will want the pitch to play in a certain way. Some will want the ball to move quickly across the surface and others not.

This will also determine the length of that the grass is cut at. There is a minimum height suggested and different sports will require different lengths for example Rugby and football have longer grass than hockey .

How much is all the paint costing?
                           
The white paint around the ground was purchased via the sponsorship provided through a national company last season which enabled us buy some paint, paint brushes, rollers and other DIY materials used to do the external painting and the main stand hall way

The amber paint was purchased by the CUFCLottery run by CFU and through the kind donations of individuals and a local building supplier.

The only paint that the club has purchased is specialist paint ie Hammerite required for the bridges by the Habbin Stand and the safety barriers around the ground.

Additional paint brushes, rollers and paint have been supplied by the volunteers themselves.

Why is the painting being done?

There are two reasons for the painting being done around the ground. The main one is maintenance and the second is too provide club identity.

When the stadium inspection was carried out it highlighted the need for the walls which were painted white to be re-done and this is also part of the summer maintenance work schedule. The paint will protect the brickwork from frost and weathering during the winter. The work has been done annually, however this year we have tried to highlight the work being done. The Amber has been added to provide club identity which is an area that was highlighted in the survey replies over the past few years and particularly the lack of it. We have also added photos and pictures around to help do the same.

What work was done on the Habbin Bridge?

There are three bridges behind the Habbin Stand enabling supporters to enter and exit the ground.
 
The stadium maintenance report requested the painting of the Habbin South and middle bridges to be painted before the season began. This work will prevent the bridges from rusting and needing to be replaced in the future.
 
The third bridge was highlighted for repair at a future point several years ago when the middle one
was replaced. It has been manged through remedial work each summer. However, following the snow and cold weather last winter the concrete surface was damaged beyond repair. A new steel frame has been placed across the brook and concrete added. The tarmac slope is to reduce the need for any steps had this work not been undertaken the capacity of the Habbin North terrace would have been effected
 
Why was work being done on the South Stand?

The reservoir that manages the water being released from the roof was highlighted to be an area of concern. When it rains the amount of water coming from the roof is considerable and needs to be released slowly into the drainage systems at a level that is managed.

If the work had not been done it would have resulted in the closure of the stand until corrected.

The work was required to clean the guttering out. More than twenty dustbin bag of debris was removed. A new liner was then laid in the reservoir.

Because the work was at high level a cherry picker lift was required and the area around the working area closed to the public.

Current league leaders Exeter visit the Abbey Stadium this Tuesday evening.

We hope the following information will be of use  -:

Tickets can be purchased here online -

Kick off 7:45pm

Online at cufcdirect.com, in-store or by calling 01223 566 500

For information about the match day see hereHome suppoerters - https://tinyurl.com/y775k9vs

What the  Exeter manager is saying see below-

Exeter Manager Matt Taylor click here

I couldn't make it to Northampton on Saturday as I was travelling back from my holiday.

I have included the holiday snaps and look forward to getting back to the Abbey in time for the match on Tuesday evening against Exeter. I need to tell Ian what needs to be done on the pitch. He won't know without me with him all the time what to do

Exeter is from an area which is near to the Gnome Reserve see here http://www.gnomereserve.co.uk/
I did not get the chance to to go and see my mates there because I wanted to get to the beach and sea for some serious surfing

I could not send everyone a post card to say what was happening however you can see my holiday diary below to see where I went to and what I did. Enlage the area or use the slider to see all the photos

Follow my journeys during the season on my facebook site.-  CUFC Gnores on the Road

The Beach Boys say they surf in Huntingdon. I will have to go and find out where they do it!!!!!