Cambridge United F.C.
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox football club Cambridge United Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Cambridge, England. They currently compete in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. Nicknamed the U's, the club has played at the Abbey Stadium since 1932.
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United, and took the name Cambridge United in 1951. They played in local amateur leagues before joining the Southern League after finishing as runners-up of the Eastern Counties League in 1957–58. Under Bill Leivers's stewardship they were crowned Southern League Premier Division champions in 1968–69 and 1969–70, which helped to secure their election into the Football League in 1970. They won promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1972–73, but suffered immediate relegation. They won the Fourth Division title in 1976–77, and then secured promotion out of the Third Division the following season. They remained in the Second Division for six seasons, before they suffered consecutive relegations.
Manager John Beck led United to promotion out of the Fourth Division via play-offs in 1990 and then the Third Division title in 1990–91, with the club reaching the Second Division play-offs the following season. Two relegations in three years left Cambridge United back in the fourth tier, before promotion was secured at the end of the 1998–99 campaign. They entered the Conference in 2005, after two relegations in four seasons, where they remained for nine seasons. They finished as Conference runners-up three times, being beaten in the play-off finals in 2008 and 2009, before eventually securing promotion after winning the 2014 play-off final. After spending seven seasons in League Two, Cambridge United were promoted to League One as runners-up, in 2021, under Mark Bonner.
Although the club has traditionally worn amber and black at home, it has experimented with a number of designs of shirts including plain amber with black trim, amber and black squares, stripes, and amber with a black sash.<ref name="historicalkits">Template:Cite web</ref> The club had close links with Cambridge Regional College, a team that operated as a de facto reserve team between 2006 and 2014.<ref>Jez Says Template:Webarchive Cambridge United, 28 January 2014</ref> The Cambridge United Community Trust perform a lot of charity work in the local community. The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, approximately Template:Convert east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 7,937, made up of terracing and seated areas.
History
Formation and early years
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United, named after the Abbey district of Cambridge. A club called Cambridge United existed in Cambridge from 1909, but it was not linked to the club that exists today.<ref name="websitepottedhistory">Cambridge United Potted History Cambridge United official website. Archive date 18 December 2010.</ref> The club played in local amateur leagues for many of its early years, moving from ground to ground around Cambridge (see Stadium below) before settling at the Abbey Stadium. In 1949 the club turned professional, and changed its name to Cambridge United in 1951.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> They played in the Eastern Counties League until finishing as runners-up in 1957–58, which saw them promoted to the Southern League.<ref name="FCHD">Template:Fchd</ref> Three years later, Cambridge United reached the Premier Division of the Southern League.<ref name="FCHD"/>
First League era: 1970–2005
After election to the Football League in 1970, to replace Bradford (Park Avenue), the club was promoted from the Fourth Division after three seasons, but went straight back down.
Following the appointment of Ron Atkinson as manager, Cambridge United won successive promotions which took them into the Second Division in 1978 – a mere eight years after joining the Football League. Atkinson had gone to West Bromwich Albion, a First Division club, in January 1978, and was succeeded by John Docherty, who oversaw the second promotion.
Cambridge United peaked at eighth place in the Second Division in 1980. However, a terrible season in 1983–84 (setting a league record for most successive games without a win, 31,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which was surpassed by Derby County in 2008<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>) was followed by a further relegation in 1984–85 (equalling the then league record for most losses in a season, 33).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These successive relegations, which also had a negative effect on the club's attendances as well as its finances, placed Cambridge United back in the Fourth Division, the lowest professional league in English football at the time. They had to apply for re-election in their first season back in the Fourth Division, and promotion would not be achieved for another four years.<ref name="FCHD"/>
The early 1990s was the U's most successful period. Soon after the appointment of new manager John Beck, the club won the first ever appearance as a professional club at Wembley Stadium, the Fourth Division playoff final in May 1990, which secured promotion to the Third Division – the club's first promotion for 12 years.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/><ref name="1989–90">Template:Cite web</ref> Dion Dublin scored the only goal in a game against Chesterfield.<ref name="1989–90"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Under Beck, United gained promotion from the Fourth Division and had already reached the FA Cup quarter finals in 1990, and reached them again a year later,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and winning the Third Division in 1991.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> United reached the play-offs in 1992, after finishing 5th in the Second Division, but failed in their bid to become founder members of the Premier League.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> This was the club's highest final league placing to date.<ref name="honours">Template:Cite web</ref> The following season the club sacked John Beck and were relegated from the new First Division.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> Further relegation followed two seasons later.<ref name="FCHD"/> United returned to Division Two but were relegated in 2002 despite a successful run in the Football League Trophy which saw them reach the final which they lost 1–4 to Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.<ref name="Footballleaguetrophy">Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2005, after 35 years in the Football League, Cambridge United were relegated into the Football Conference. This brought with it financial difficulties and the club filed for administration on 29 April.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 22 July 2005 the club came out of administration with a deal being struck with HM Revenue and Customs at the eleventh hour after the intervention of then sports minister Richard Caborn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cambridge had sold their Abbey Stadium home earlier in the season for £1.9 million to keep the club afloat.<ref name="groundsale">Template:Cite news</ref>
In the Conference: 2005–2014
On the eve of the 2006–07 season, it was announced that former Norwich City striker Lee Power would be the club's new chairman taking over from Brian Attmore's caretaking reign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Johnny Hon was also to rejoin the board as vice-chairman after John Howard's resignation on conflict of interests grounds (owing to his ownership of Bideawhile 445 Ltd, United's landlords).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jimmy Quinn was appointed manager soon after Power took charge and, after a difficult settling-in period which included a humiliating 5–0 loss to local rivals Histon,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he guided Cambridge United away from another possible relegation by achieving five wins from their last seven games of the season.<ref name="websitepottedhistory1">Cambridge United Results 2006–07 Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 20 July 2007</ref>
After signing several respected and experienced players at the non-league level in the following close season Quinn led Cambridge to their then longest ever unbeaten start to a season (2007–08), which stretched to twelve games.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Off the field, United reported several major sponsorship deals which seemed to point towards increased financial security.<ref name="haartdeal">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Halfway through the season the chairman, Lee Power, resigned. He was replaced by Wayne Purser.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> United finished the season in 2nd place, qualifying for the play-offs. They beat Burton Albion in the semi-final, 4–3 on aggregate,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but lost 1–0 to Exeter City in the final, played at Wembley Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Following the play-off defeat many players left the club, culminating in the departure of manager Jimmy Quinn.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Quinn was succeeded by former Southport manager Gary Brabin, who appointed Paul Carden as player-assistant manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> United finished the 2008–09 season again 2nd in the league, and also again reached the play-off final, overturning a 3–1 deficit to beat Stevenage Borough 4–3 on aggregate in the semi-final;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however, they were beaten again at Wembley Stadium, 2–0 by Torquay United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Brabin was named as the Conference's Manager of the Season,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but was sacked in the close-season after reportedly falling out with the chairman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was replaced by Martin Ling, who resigned just eight days into the job, before the start of the 2009–10 season<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was followed days later by chairman George Rolls.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The new board re-appointed Ling as manager the following week.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cambridge finished Ling's first season in 10th place – not enough for a playoff place.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following season, on 6 January 2011, with Cambridge in a similar position to where they finished the previous season, the club's owners put the club up for sale citing the need for new funds to take the club forward.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite interest being expressed from a number of parties, no new owner has yet been found.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later the same month, the club's landlords Grosvenor Group revealed the plans for a new community stadium, including potential new locations both within the city and outside it.<ref name="BBC Sport">Template:Cite news</ref> At the start of 2011 Martin Ling was removed from his position as manager<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and replaced on a temporary basis by CRC manager Jez George.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He managed to steer the club towards safety, finishing 17th, which led to George's role being made permanent. After having rebuilt the squad with players from the club's youth system and with astute signings in Harrison Dunk and Tom Shaw, George managed to lead Cambridge to a 9th-place finish, a huge improvement on their previous season. As well as the league, Jez George also took Cambridge to the quarter-final of the FA Trophy (which was the furthest they had reached at the time), but lost 2–1 at home to minnows, Wealdstone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eleven games into the following season Jez George became Director of Football, and Richard Money was announced as the new head coach of the club.<ref name="MoneyAppointment">Template:Cite news</ref> The club spent much of the season in mid-table, finishing in 14th position with 59 points. The squad was greatly revamped, and United started 2013–14 with a record-breaking 16 games unbeaten. Cambridge finished the season in second place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating FC Halifax Town 2–1, on aggregate, in the semi-final, they won 2–1 against Gateshead in the final, held at Wembley Stadium, gaining promotion back to the Football League after a nine-year absence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club also reached their first FA Trophy final, held at Wembley Stadium, where they beat Gosport Borough 4–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2014–present: Back in The Football League
In their first season back in the Football League, Cambridge United progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they drew at home with Premier League team Manchester United. The match at the Abbey Stadium ended in a goalless draw,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> forcing a replay at Old Trafford, which Manchester United won 3–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the league, Cambridge finished 19th with 51 points, 10 points above the relegation zone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following season started poorly, and Richard Money was sacked in November 2015,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to be replaced by Shaun Derry who would lead Cambridge to a 9th-place finish.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2019–20 season, Mark Bonner was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season. Under Bonner, Cambridge won four from their final seven matches before the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season with Cambridge placed in 16th after a points per game ruling.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After being given the role permanently, Bonner guided Cambridge to promotion as runners-up in the 2020–21 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Following additional investment from the club's co-owners, United bought back the Abbey Stadium from Grosvenor in September 2022, 20 years after selling it.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2022–23 season, United avoided relegation on the final day of the season after beating Forest Green Rovers 2–0 at home on the final day of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They were relegated to League Two at the end of the 2024–25 season after finishing 23rd.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Colours and badge
Cambridge United have traditionally worn amber and black home kits in a variety of designs, including plain amber with black trim (e.g. 1979–1991), amber and black quarters (1996–1998) and halves (e.g. 1924–25), and a variety of stripes (e.g. 1926–1936.<ref name="historicalkits"/> Only between 1957–1960 and 1970–1972 have shirts not been predominantly amber, when the club opted for white with a small amber and black detail on the shirt's sleeves. Away from home, kits have often been white with some amber and/or black detail, although recently shirts have been blue at the request of the away shirts sponsors.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The club's current crest was adopted in 2024 after a consultation, and implemented for the beginning of the 2025-26 season.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The circular design incorporates the shape of Magdalene Bridge over the River Cam.<ref name=":0" />
The previous crest, a large football over which the letters 'CU' are emblazoned, with three turrets on top, was worn on shirts since the 1986–87 season, with a brief change to a more 'elaborate' design between 1996 and 1998.<ref name="historicalkits"/> Previously, shirts had simply been embroidered with the club's acronym 'CUFC' or a 'Book & Ball' badge used during the late 1970s.<ref name="historicalkits"/> The club used a special badge to commemorate their centenary in the 2012–13 season.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> A design change was proposed without consultation in 2023, but was not adopted.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Sponsorship and manufacturers
A sponsor first appeared on a Cambridge United shirt for the 1985–86 season when the shirt was changed mid-season from plain amber to amber and black stripes.<ref name="historicalkits" /> Spraymate were the club's first shirt sponsor, and have since been followed by an array of local and national companies: Lynfox, Howlett, Fujitsu, Beaumont Stainless Steels, Premier Travel, C and R Windows, Quicksilver (couriers), Capital Sports, The Global Group, Haart, Global Self Drive, and in 2009–10 Greene King IPA.<ref name="historicalkits" />
The teams kits have been manufactured by a number of companies, with Admiral providing the first strip on which a maker's logo appeared. The club have subsequently worn kits created by, among others, Nike, Patrick, Sporta and, Vandanel, with the latter providing the strip for the 2007–08 season <ref name="historicalkits" /> and subsequently an amber shirt featuring a dramatic black sash design that polarised the opinions of fans. In the summer of 2010 the Club parted company with Vandanel, citing concerns regards the company's ability to continue to service their needs, signing a deal with Italian company Erreà.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For the start of the 2013–14 season, The U's signed a deal with Genesis Sports to provide Puma team wear for the club. This deal has been continued into the 2014–15 season and saw the home shirts make a return to amber and black stripes. At the beginning of the 2019-2020 Campaign they have switched to Sportswear Company Hummel. Since the start of the 2023–24 season the kit has been produced by Umbro.
Stadium
Cambridge United currently play their home matches at the Abbey Stadium, which has been their home since 1932. The stadium is located in the Abbey area of the city on Newmarket Road, approximately 3 kilometres (1.8miles) east of the city centre. The stadium currently has a capacity of 8,127, of which 4,376 are seated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=confground>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to sponsorship reasons, the ground has also been known as The R. Costings Abbey Stadium and the Cambs Glass Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Before opening the Abbey with a victory over Cambridge University Press in a friendly on 31 August 1932, United had played matches at a number of venues around the city.<ref name="abbeyhistory">History of the Trade Recruitment Stadium Template:Webarchive Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 18 July 2007</ref> When playing under the Abbey United name, games were played on Midsummer Common until the outbreak of World War I. When the war ended, the club moved to Stourbridge Common and, after promotion to the Cambridgeshire League Division One in 1923, moved once again to land just off Newmarket Road in Cambridge. This ground, affectionately known as the 'Celery Trenches' due to the poor state of the pitch, was christened with a 1–0 league victory over Histon Institute and became United's home for a decade. While based at the Trenches, the club established its offices at the 'Dog & Pheasant' pub on Newmarket Road, which it used as an away dressing room on matchdays, as well as a store for equipment including the pitch's goalposts.<ref name="abbeyhistory"/> However, the Cambridgeshire FA were unhappy with the state of the pitch at this new home, and the club moved to Parker's Piece at the start of the 1930–31 season. Despite the special significance of Parker's Piece in the history of football, it being the first place where the Cambridge Rules were played out, the lack of spectator capacity and disruption caused during games meant this move was not a successful one.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In January 2006, John Howard announced plans to move out of the Abbey Stadium to a new purpose-built stadium in Milton. This was supported by Cambridgeshire Horizons.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> These were criticised by fans as risking the club's identity by moving out of the city and, despite Howard describing them as crucial to the club's future, little else was heard of them publicly. Subsequently, a new community stadium, that would also include conference facilities, was ruled out by a Planning Inspector's report which described it as unsuitable development in the green belt and in October 2009, Cambridge United announced its intentions to redevelop the Abbey Stadium with chairman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Stadium was sold by Bideawhile to Grosvenor Estates in June 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Soon after, the new landlords, in combination with the club and supporters group Cambridge Fans United, announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to positively work together to achieve the relocation of the club to a new stadium.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> In January 2011, plans for a new community stadium were unveiled at an open meeting, including potential new locations both within the city and outside it.<ref name="BBC Sport"/>
A final site, at Trumpington Meadows, was agreed upon and initial plans for an 8,000 capacity stadium were put forward, as part of a "Cambridge Sporting Village" incorporating housing and retail development.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Objections from residents and local councils saw the proposal blocked in 2013,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and plans announced in January 2015 keep the sporting village development at Trumpington, but without the new stadium. Instead Cambridge United will redevelop the Abbey Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> First plans were presented in May 2015, which would increase capacity of the Newmarket Road End, incorporating safe standing, complete redevelopment of the Habbin Terrace and slight expansion to the Main Stand.Template:Citation needed
Cambridge United bought back the Abbey Stadium in September 2022,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and restarted planning for significant expansion and improvement of the ground, with larger new stands proposed for the terraced Newmarket Road End and Habbin Stand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Supporters
Cambridge United have a number of supporters' groups and associations, some of which are independently run and some are run by the club itself.<ref name="groups">Cambridge United – Fans – Supporters' Groups Template:Webarchive Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> These include: an Away Travel Club, who provide travel to every away game as well as hosting fundraising events and sponsoring senior players;<ref>Cambridge United – Tickets – Away Travel Club Template:Webarchive cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> youth group Junior U's;<ref>Cambridge United – Fans – Join the Junior U's Template:Webarchive Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> Cambridge United Supporters Association, a group giving a voice to the fans in communications with the club and the media;<ref name="groups"/> Vice-presidents Club, who offer match day hospitality packages; and regional associations in St Ives, East Cambridgeshire, Royston, St Neots, Bedfordshire and Saffron Walden.<ref name="groups"/> Cambridge Fans United is an independent supporters group who are now a significant shareholder in the club with representation on the fans' behalf on the board of directors.<ref>What is CFU? Template:Webarchive Cambridge Fans United. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> In addition to these supporters' groups, the club currently has one independent fanzine, United in Endeavour, which raises funds for Cambridge Fans United and is sold at home games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During their time in the Conference, attendances at the Abbey were amongst the highest in the league. Cambridge United's first two seasons in the Conference saw them post the fourth-highest average attendance figures in both years (2,607 in 2005–06 and 2,815 in 2006–07).<ref>Attendances 2005/6 Template:Webarchive Confguide. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref><ref>Attendances 2006/7 Template:Webarchive Confguide. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> They had the third-highest attendances in their final season in the Conference, averaging 3,085 for 2013–14.<ref>Attendances 2013/14 european-football-statistics.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2014</ref>
SiFive became the main sponsor of the Cambridge United F.C. for the 2022/23 and the 2023/24 seasons. The partnership is intended to amplify both of their visions to support each other and the community, as well as establish SiFive within the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rivalries
Prior to election into the Football League, Cambridge City were regarded as the club's biggest rivals, although the rivalry has since waned significantly.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Peterborough United are considered to be their current main rivals, something that was recognised in a survey by the Football Fans Census as a reciprocated feeling, where the two sides contest the Cambridgeshire derby. This is despite the fact the two clubs have experienced many seasons in separate divisions.<ref name="footballfanscensus1">Club Rivalries Uncovered Template:Webarchive Football Fans Census. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> Other lesser rivalries include those with Northampton Town,<ref name="footballfanscensus1"/> Colchester United,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Luton Town,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Stevenage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Players
Current squad
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Out on loan
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Reserves and Centre of Excellence
Before relegation from the Football League in 2005, Cambridge United entered a reserve team in the Football Combination. However, this ceased following financial difficulties which meant the club could not guarantee being able to put out a team for every game. In 2006 United formed Cambridge Regional College as a de facto reserve team and entered them in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division.<ref name="Reserve Preview"/> FA rules prohibit reserve teams playing at certain levels of the football pyramid, and so the CRC name was adopted in recognition of the college's financial support, and because the team is made up almost entirely of the college's students.<ref name="Reserve Preview">Template:Cite news</ref>
Cambridge United's Centre of Excellence is widely regarded throughout professional football circles as one of the best in England.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Many players have come through the youth team to establish themselves as first team players at Cambridge (for example Dan Gleeson,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Daniel Chillingworth,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robbie Willmott<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Josh Coulson<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>) and go on to play at a higher level (recent examples include John Ruddy,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Michael Morrison<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Josh Simpson<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>). Wales international Jack Collison was in the youth squads for several years before joining West Ham United's youth academy after the centre closed down following relegation to the Conference Premier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The youth team won their division of the Football League Youth Alliance in both 2003–04 and 2004–05,<ref>Football League Youth Alliance 2004/05 TablesTemplate:Dead link from football-league.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref> showing the strength of the club's Centre of Excellence. The club's success in the FA Youth Cup in recent years has also far surpassed its expectation given the level of the parent club – in 2006–07 the team was the highest placed non-league team reaching the Fourth Round after seven games (including qualifying games).<ref>Youth Cup ResultsTemplate:Dead link from Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref>
Notable former players
- For all former players with a Wikipedia article see Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Notable players include Wilf Mannion, the only former Cambridge United player to be inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Brian Moore, former West Ham United player who scored a club record 68 goals in 1957–58 despite blindness in one eye,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Lindsay Smith, voted Cambridge United's all-time cult hero in a poll for BBC Sport's Football Focus in August 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Others include Dion Dublin, who went on to score 119 Premier League goals and receive four England caps, and Luke Berry, cult hero who finished as United's top scorer in various seasons and played for Luton Town in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season. <ref>=Template:Cite news</ref>
Club management
Club staff
Template:Updated<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Shaun Grady |
| Chief executive officer | Alex Tunbridge |
| Director of Football | Mark Bonner |
| Head coach | Neil Harris |
| Assistant head coach | Adam Barrett |
| Assistant head coach | Barry Corr |
| First-team goalkeeper coach | Martin Davies |
| Head of performance | Jack Manuel |
| Head of medical | Hayden Clifton |
| Head of recruitment | Nick Tyler-Hicks |
| Kit manager | Jamie Cozens |
| Recruitment analyst | Wayne Blackman |
| Club doctor | Dr Boudjema Boukersi |
| Stadium manager | Ian Darler |
| Finance Manager | Anthony Jones |
| Academy manager | Dominic Knighton |
| Senior academy physiotherapist | Vacant |
| Head of academy coaching | Liam Bloye |
| Professional development-phase lead coach | Liam O'Neil |
| Youth development-phase lead coach | Dario Seminerio |
| Foundation development-phase lead coach | James Nicholas |
| Hospitality manager | Dougie Macandrew |
| Supporter engagement officer | Amelia Edwards |
Managerial history
Since joining the Football League in 1970, Cambridge United has had twenty-five full-time managers as well as many caretakers and player-managers.
Honours
League
- Third Division (level 3)
- Champions: 1990–91
- Runners-up: 1977–78<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (level 4)
- Conference Premier (level 5)
- Play-off winners: 2014
- Southern League
- Champions: 1968–69, 1969–70<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cup
- Football League Trophy
- Runners-up: 2001–02
- FA Trophy
- Winners: 2013–14<ref name="honours" />
- Southern League Cup
- Winners: 1968–69<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Club records
Scorelines
- Biggest league win:
- 7–0 (v Morecambe, League Two, 19 April 2016)<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
- 7–0 (v Weymouth, Conference Premier, March 2007)<ref>Match Report: Cambridge United v. WeymouthTemplate:Dead link Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref>
- 7–0 (v Forest Green Rovers, Conference Premier, September 2009)<ref>Match Report: Cambridge United v. Forest Green Rovers Template:Webarchive Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 5 September 2009.</ref>
- Biggest cup win:
- 5–1 (v Bristol City, FA Cup 5th round second replay, February 1990)
- 4–0 (v Sheffield Wednesday, FA Cup 5th round, February 1991)
- 4–0 (v Coventry City FA Cup 2nd round, December 2016)
- 4-0 (v Fleetwood Town FA Cup 2nd round, December 2023)
- Biggest league defeat:
- 0–7 (v Luton Town, League Two, November 2017)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Biggest cup defeat:
- 0–7 (v Sunderland, League Cup second round, October 2002)<ref>Rush of goals brings relief at last to Reid The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2002.</ref>
Players
- Most goals in one game: 5 – Steve Butler (v Exeter City, April 1994)<ref name="honours" />
- Most League appearances: 416 – Steve Spriggs (1975–1987)<ref name="honours" />
- Most League goals in one season: 32 – Paul Mullin (EFL League Two, 2020–21)<ref name="honours" />
- Youngest player: Ben Worman – 16 years (v Peterborough United, 7 November 2017)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Oldest player: John Taylor – 39 years (during 2003–04 season)<ref name="honours" />
- Highest transfer fee paid: £190,000 – Steve Claridge (from Luton Town, November 1992)<ref name="honours" />
- Highest transfer fee received: £1,500,000 – Trevor Benjamin (to Leicester City, July 2000)<ref name="honours" />
Club
- Highest league finish: 5th in 1991-92 Football League Second Division (second tier)<ref name="1991–92">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Best FA Cup performance: Quarter-finalists, 1989–90, 1990–91<ref name="honours" />
- Best Football League Cup performance: Quarter-finalists, 1992–93<ref name="honours" />
- Best Football League Trophy performance: Runners-up, 2001–02<ref name="Footballleaguetrophy"/>
- Best FA Trophy performance: Winners, 2013–14<ref name="honours" />
- Most League Points in a Season: 86 (Division Three, 1990–91), (Conference, 2007–08 & 2008–09)<ref name="honours" />
- Most League Goals in a Season: 87 (Division Four, 1976–77)<ref name="honours" />
- Record Attendance: 14,000 (v Chelsea, May 1970)<ref name="honours" />
Charity (Cambridge United Community Trust)
Cambridge United Community Trust (CUCT) is the charity wing of Cambridge United Football Club.
CUCT was founded after Cambridge United were relegated from the Football League in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The charity's stated mission is: "To place Cambridge United at the heart of a community where individuals respect each other and themselves, are empowered to maximise their potential and have the inspiration to fulfil this potential."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The charity operates in primary schools across Cambridgeshire including in a partnership with AstraZenenca.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> CUCT also delivers both health and inclusion work in the city of Cambridge.
The charity's current CEO is Ben Szreter.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Women's team
There is an affiliated women's team called Cambridge United W.F.C..<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
References
Further reading
External links
- cambridge-united.co.uk – official website of the club
- Cambridge United news: Cambridge United news from Cambridge News
- Cambridge Fans United: website of Cambridge Fans United, the main fans' group associated with Cambridge United and a significant shareholder in the club
Template:Cambridge United F.C. Template:Cambridge United F.C. seasons Template:Football League Two Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- Cambridge United F.C.
- Association football clubs established in 1912
- 1912 establishments in England
- Sport in Cambridge
- Football clubs in England
- East Anglian League
- Eastern Counties Football League
- Southern Football League clubs
- National League (English football) clubs
- Football clubs in Cambridgeshire
- English Football League clubs
- Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom