It started in Accrington and ended in Sunderland. Throughout, the season the Away Travel club has travelled together all over the country. We have visited grounds in the North, the South, the East and West. There have been highs and there have been some lows but we have shared them together.

During the season the Away Travel have sold in excess of 1450 seats and had over 300 different people using the Away Travel service. We have used an 85 seater double decker on 8 occasions, and took 4 coaches to Newcastle including a double decker. We have succeeded in running 26 coaches to all the away League and FA Cup games. We would like to thank our sponsors for their support over the season:  East Sussex U’s, Robert Osbourn, Worcester U’s and the CUFC Lottery.

Travelling during Covid brought some additional challenges.  We checked vaccine passports or passengers without had to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test, reported via the NHS App, 48 hours before travel. Lots of people informed us they had covid a couple of days before travel and sometimes on the day.  Full refunds have been issued to people reporting that they or a family member had covid.

Another first this summer is to help spread the cost of following Cambridge United on the road during the 2022/2023 season. The away travel organisers are giving supporters the opportunity of helping to spread the costs of travel by saving during the summer months

Anyone wanting to save can save as much as they wish to. You can make a one-off payment or make multiple payments to suit you via the website tinyurl.com/56z92axh

We leave the final words to Mark Bonner who has the following message of thanks

“Thank you to all of you who have travelled in such numbers, so often and in such fine voice throughout the season. We have certainly enjoyed some outstanding away days this year, and had to endure a few too. I guess that's just football! But the players often comment on the number of supporters we have been taking to away games and the quality of the support we have received. Enjoy your break and a sincere thank you from all of us for the time, money and effort you have made supporting the team so fantastically well this season. We look forward to seeing you all again soon. Take care”

Finally, the organisers wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. See you when the new season begins and look forward to you using the service again

Gina Parkin and Dave Matthews-Jones

Cambridge United has been awarded with Family Excellence Status for the 2021/22 season and joins a record number of 65 EFL Clubs in achieving the accolade...

The U's recorded their best ever score with an 8.7 - third highest in League One and 14th out of all 72 EFL Clubs.

EFL Clubs received two ‘mystery family’ visits throughout the season, with their feedback and reports determining whether each respective club would achieve ‘Family Excellence’ status.

Now in its 14th year, the Family Excellence Scheme is an ongoing consultation programme, which aims to drive continuous improvement and best practice in family engagement across the leagues.

Scores are reached as each Club is assessed across a range of touchpoints, in order to reflect and report on the first-time family experience they encounter.

After receiving an overall score of 8.4 for the first mystery visit of the season - at the 16th October game against Ipswich - an 8.7 was achieved for the second when the assessors came to the 5th March game against Shrewsbury Town.

The EFL's summary report states, "This season's successful retention of Family Excellence status shows Cambridge United lifting the experience they offer to new levels. The detailed information on the website; the personal intervention of the SLO and a magical mascot are all evidence of a top class end-to-end family experience. "Other strengths include Marvin the Moose's online contribution: timely and engaging while the improvements identified are minor. The Club does have some challenges ranging from travel and parking to the size of the stadium space, but their very evident focus on fan engagement means that every new family visiting the Abbey Stadium is likely to leave with a smile on their face."

Supporter Liaison Officer, Dave Matthew-Jones said, "To receive this award is proof that Cambridge United is taking the fan experience seriously for everyone coming on Matchdays. The Club is making further improvements over the summer period in time for the start of the new season. These changes will benefit and hopefully excite both home and away supporters, whilst also improving the facilities at the Abbey Stadium.

"The work already done during the past twelve months have improved the markings right across the board and is just rewards for everyone involved. We have also only just missed out on receiving a Gold Award, which only a small number of clubs obtain each season, but that is the next target."

In addition to receiving Family Excellence Status, the Club has also been named in the best XI under the ‘welcome’ category.
This category is all about what the best Clubs do to generate a sense of anticipation for families around the match, whether it is a friendly and engaging ticket purchase process, a warm and enthusiastic welcome from staff or a Mascot on arrival at the stadium, or anything that helps to create a great welcome specifically for young fans and families.

The assessor said, "The warm welcome first-time visitors receive is brilliant. Whether it is through the detailed information provided on the Club website, the guidance offered by the club’s SLO, or by staff on the day itself, Cambridge United clearly care about families and first-time fans."

A full list of EFL Clubs to receive the Family Excellence status can be found here.

On the 30th April, Cambridge United  played Cheltenham at the Abbey Stadium in the EFL League 1

Cambridge United supporters can you see yourself in the photos included the slideshow below
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Simon King took the photographs