In Focus | Cambridge United
“It is time to reset to make football sustainable for future generations”
Ian Mather, Cambridge United CEO
Cambridge United finished the 2020/21 campaign in second place, thus seeing them be promoted to League One for the first time since its inception in 2004. However, success is not what makes them a Fair Game founder. It is fan devotion, and the club’s willingness to listen, that makes them stand out.
Established as Abbey United in 1912, Cambridge turned professional until 1949 and reached the Football League some 21 years later. Successive promotions under Ron Atkinson, took the club to the second tier of English football, a mere eight years after being elected to the Football League.
The 80’s would not be prosperous for the U’s though, as they peaked in 1980 in eighth place. A shocking 1983/84 season, in which they ended with 33 losses, kickstarted successive relegations to the Fourth Division, of which they would not recover from until the early nineties.
Fast forward to 2005/6 and Cambridge found themselves in the Conference, having finished bottom of the EFL the season before. Many teams lose their way when relegated to the Conference - finding it tricky to maintain support and a direction - but not Cambridge. Nine seasons in the Conference only strengthened their resolve, making the play-offs three times.
More impressively though, was the fan’s reaction. The U’s first two campaigns in the Conference saw them post the fourth-highest average attendance figures, with around 2,700 a game. This figure was maintained across the years, peaking at over 3,000 attendees per game in their promotion 2013/4 season. Victory over Gateshead in front of 20,000 at Wembley brought the club back to the Football League.
Cambridge entered League Two a different club than the one that left it. Set up in 2000, supporters group Cambridge Fans United aimed to give fans a voice within the club they loved, which they achieved in 2004 by gaining a seat on the club’s board. The CFU have continued to have a positive fan voice in the club’s hierarchy – something Fair Game are overwhelmingly in support of.
The U’s time in the Football League has certainly been brighter since their return in 2014. Avoiding a narrow escape from relegation in 2018/19 – which saw the club finish 21st – Cambridge finished as high as ninth prior to last season. An electric start to the 2020/21 campaign saw Mark Bonner’s side register two 5-0 wins in their opening six games on their way to finishing as runners up in the league. Ending 18 game-weeks in first place, Cambridge’s promotion never looked in doubt. Paul Mullin’s consistent goalscoring form saw him end the season with a league-high 32 goals.
Perhaps more impressive, is Cambridge’s work off the pitch. Despite the challenges the club has faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, investments from the club owners managed to make up for any losses. A club statement at the time highlighted the positivity an amiable owner can bring: “The club is fortunate to have a majority owner in Paul (Barry) who cares deeply about Cambridge United and who will always take decisions with the club’s long-term interest at heart.”
Now, this article has gone long enough without mentioning Ian Mather. As Cambridge United CEO and a Fair Game representative, Ian is crucial to both organisations. Following his involvement in talking to parliament at the beginning of July, he stated that “there is a growing sense that radical change to the way football is managed in this country is needed. It is time to reset to make football sustainable for future generations.”
Cambridge United is a club with resilience, having experienced the highs and lows that football brings on the pitch. But it is the structure off the pitch - a positive owner that values fans, supporters that recognise their role in the community, and a sustainable business model with good investment – that makes Cambridge a valued Fair Game club. And now a League One Fair Game club.
