We have all had to change the way we think and work on a daily basis due to the Covid situation and this close season has certainly been one of my most challenging and very lonely at times.
Mick Brown and I found ourselves alone in the stadium with Stephen Buck the head accountant at the club for weeks upon end during the lock-down knowing that we still had to fulfill all the requirements of the safety certificate and keep the stadium running ready for the return of staff.
Once the government started to slightly ease the lock-down we started to have a small number of the volunteers back at the stadium to help out whilst ensuring the numbers were very limited and they had to complete a full risk assessment and comply with an awful lot of restrictions whilst being at the stadium.
The small group who attended were simply outstanding and the professionalism and quality of work was top class . Due to the Covid situation we could not invite all the volunteers back in to the stadium as we had to ensure social distancing was in place at all times.
The group who came together to assist at the ground are now entering their third year at the stadium and I have to say that the stadium looks in very good condition due to all the expertise of the group. The thanks however do not stop there the Cambridge United Lottery as previously mentioned came to our aid when we found ourselves without a tractor due to the lease expiring the lottery purchased our old tractor back from E.Doe which enabled us to continue with our pitch work. The lottery also assisted with the pitch renovation this close season by purchasing 10 bags of grass seed .
I will not name them at this point but have to say a huge thanks to so many individuals and companies who have simply donated thousands of pounds of materials or equipment and also worked in the stadium free of charge to help us get through the Covid period.
I thank everybody who has helped and supported the club during these challenging times .
Ian Darler
Stadium Manager
Cambridge United FC