We have now reached the half way point in the 2020/2021 season. It has been a strange experience for supporters not being able to attend matches. Especially when the team is performing so well on the pitch and being the top of the league.  However, it now when everyone’s support is even more appreciated. It is wonderful to see how supporters have got behind the club in some many different ways over recent months. It reminds me of the periods when the club was finding things difficult and everyone pulled together and got the club through those times. Hopefully during the coming months, we will remain United in Endeavour.

With the latest lockdown in place and no sign of when it will end it is even more important, we all come together and support each other. If you can ring or text someone to make sure they are alright please do so. You may be the only person they hear from. If you find yourself needing to speak to someone then see the numbers via the You are never alone link https://tinyurl.com/y5t8d6fc   

Hopefully, now the vaccinations are starting to take place a return to some kind of normality may be possible. It is good to see a company associated with Cambridge United being at the forefront of this programme. I think we all would like extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone at AstraZeneca for the work that has so far taken place and taking place twenty-four hours a day.

!00yearsofcoconuts have launched a project to collect supporter’s memories. If you would like to take part please visit the groups website for further details. It really is simple to complete and the group will add your replies to their website during the coming weeks. See the linkhttps://tinyurl.com/y4l896xk

They are also looking for supporters to write articles for the website about Cambridge United. If you would like to do so please email 100yearsofcoconuts@gmail.com

There have been a lot of changes at Cambridge Fans United during recent weeks with new board members joining. I would like start by saying thank you and show my appreciation to Robert Osbourn who has now stood down as Chair due to ill health. He has helped me a lot over the years and has always been supportive of the ideas I have come up with. I hope everything gets back on track soon for him and he is back to full fitness soon.

I would also like to wish Andrew Stephen and Ben Phillips success with their plans in the future. CFU is coming up to being 21 years old this year. It needs to be representative of all supporters and members. During those years Supporters Trusts have had to change and adapt to different situations. Now there so many more ways and possibilities for representing and helping supporters. Find out more about the work that other supporters’ groups and trusts are undertaking by visiting the Football Supporters Association website https://thefsa.org.uk/ It was the groups AGM in December and the round up can be found here https://thefsa.org.uk/

Take care and look after yourselves.

You contact me via email dave.matthew-jones@cambridge-united.co.uk

The Scholars are supporting two local charities close to their hearts: CPSL Mind (Cambridgeshire, Peterborough & South Lincolnshire) and Cambridge United Community Trust.
 
Tom added, “These two charities work together on a mental health football initiative to support individuals struggling with their mental health. The football sessions provide the opportunity for people to come together and improve their mental wellbeing through football.”
 
The team initially set themselves a target of £874, £1 for each mile covered, but after just one week they have far exceeded this. If you would like to make a donation please visit, https://cuctrust.enthuse.com/cf/lands-end-to-john-o-groats-challenge.


Mind CPSL promote positive wellbeing across our communities and they campaign against the stigma & discrimination faced by so many people experiencing mental health challenges.

The Community Trust use the power of sport and the brand of Cambridge United FC to empower the local community and change lives.

The Amber News returns

Read the latest edition of the Amber News. There are lots of interesting articles written by supporters. They will make you think and remember all things Cambridge United

Download a copy below or read on line

100yearsofcoconuts are collecting the memories of supporters for adding to the Coconuts web site. If you would like to answer the following we will add to site

Time supporting Cambridge United?
 
First Match and who did you go with?

Favourite Match?

Favourite Player?

Favourite away ground?

Favourite Manager?

All time best eleven?

Best moment supporting Cambridge United?

If you would like to complete the questions and send along with a photo of yourself to cfuinbox@btinternet.com we will add to the website over the coming days.

Send your replies to cfuinbox@btinternet.com

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (15 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (7648)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1000.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (15 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (1908)
-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 are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there is 1 CUFC Lottery member matching the second pair winning £10.00

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,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

The Trust Board met on Monday 14th December 2020 via Zoom. Those present were: Martin Chapman (Chairman), Dave Matthew-Jones, Margaret Pearson, Frank Pearson (Secretary), Paul Moffatt, Colin Proctor, Nigel Browne, Leeanne Huff, Terry Wilby, Carl Badcock.
 
Apologies were received from Andy Fox, Robert Osbourn, Gina Heath and Ben Phillips.
 
The following is an abbreviated version of the minutes of the meeting.
 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
A chairman is needed in place for AGM.
 
Andrew Stephen and Alex Nix will be invited to join the Trust Board.
       
Future of CFU  

• Do we want to carry on? If no, we must ensure our funds are secure. If yes, we need to change
• We need to broaden the issues we deal with
• Can all perceived supporters’ groups work together? (Coconuts, Supporters’ Club, CUSP, CFU + Fanzines)
• We need to let people know what we are doing so need to appoint a Publicity Officer
• The new ground will bring issues for fans. CFU need to be looking after their interests
• Football Supporters’ Association membership uses full membership and associate membership with different voting rights. We could do the same
• Nigel wondered whether we could  link Lottery with CFU membership
• Ben offered to circulate his ideas which was welcomed.
  
• Leeanne said the perception is that there is no benefit from being a member
  
• Terry had suggested that priority for tickets during lockdown be for CFU members and was disappointed with refusal
  
• Only perk  we have is electing the Fans’ Elected Director
  
• Our only income now is from membership. The club have taken over our previous income streams
  
• Paul suggested we produce season calendars, not Jan – Dec. 
  
• Margaret suggested discount at the club shop as it  used to be for Season Ticket holders 
• Carl suggested that Fan Zones would be better near the Supporters’ Club, but there are problems
  
• If anyone wants to be Chair, what are your plans? They need to be sent to the Secretary for circulation
  
• Dave has been contacted by a U’s fan in Canada. Can we set up an Exiles Group?
  

 
Frank asked how come the state of the pitch caused our last home game to be postponed?
Answer: There had been unprecedented rainfall
 
Date of next meeting: 11th January 2021 by Zoom.
 
The meeting finished at 9.06 pm with a commitment that those with reports would send them to secretary:
 

• November 20 Financial Report

        The CFU monies held at 30th Nov 20 were :

• Current account - £89,668.09 
• CFU Lottery Account - £24,925.10
• Other Accounts - £8598.17
• Total Held £123,191.36
• CFU Trading in Nov 20 recorded a -£14,086.44 loss
•  Overall we have made a trading loss of -£11,662.18 since Sept 20.
•  A donation of £13,750 for the cost of the Scoreboards for the Football club was made .
• Terry reported that Membership was now 250. (274 in December 2019)
  

I feel privileged to have been elected as the new vice chair of CFU and am looking forward to working alongside Andrew Stephens as the new chair & the rest of the supporters’ trust. I have thought that CFU has been dormant in recent times as the voice of the club’s fan base, and want to actively change the perception of CFU & CUSP that fans currently have.

It’s great to see lots of organisations for fans in the current day as well as CFU, such as CUSP, UTAS, Coconuts & the Supporters’ Club. I am looking forward to building relationships with all of these so we can become stronger and more proactive, working as one for the fans of Cambridge United.

The heartbeat of a football club is its fan base and without fans a football club is nothing. In the current climate & modern day, it’s important, more now than ever for a football club and organisations attached to it, to communicate efficiently with you the fans. I feel this is something that the football club has started to improve on massively within the last 12 months: in particular, things like the new match day live media show and digital programmes online, keeping fans engaged and communicating with them during the pandemic while they sadly can’t attend fixtures in what has been a challenging time for everyone.

As an organisation that is supposedly the voice of the fans, I would like fans to realise that CFU as a group are approachable on a match day and are willing to help fans with their problems or suggestions they may have supporting our club. We will be actively looking to improve the match day experience for all fans of all backgrounds, young and old that visit the Abbey Stadium. The CFU & CUSP Committee members will work at becoming more visible & approachable for fans on a match day too.

One of the things I am passionate about is ensuring we have a football club for generations to come. I would like CFU to help work closely in a relationship with the football club with this vision in a number of different ways. In particular working with the club & the Community Trust at creating a visual brand within our city, showing Cambridge United as the football club that is welcoming to everyone & at the heart of the community.

Growing up, as a Junior U member it’s one of the things as a youngster that got me in love with Cambridge United. Therefore I would like to see the resurrection of Junior U’s so we can have future generations of fans experiencing the same feeling about their local football club  as they grow up.

 CFU itself needs to become more diverse and inclusive. It would be nice to see more young people involved and I think we need to be engaging with our younger fans more as they are the future of the football club. Our membership does not accurately reflect the full spectrum of ages, views and cultures which make up our society from which hopefully lifelong fans will come.

Most of all we have to increase membership by giving people a reason to join without waiting for the crisis which we all hope never comes. I hope that we can represent all supporters fairly and with integrity and that OUR voice in the club is listened to because it is respected.

United In Endeavour
Ben Phillips

JOIN CFU BY CLICKING HERE

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (08 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (0629)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £950.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (08 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (6540)
-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 are 2 CUFC Lottery members matching the first pair winning £10.00 each
-there is 1 CUFC Lottery member matching the second pair winning £10.00

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,
https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

Cambridge Fans United are pleased to announce that Andrew Stephen has been elected as its new chairperson.

Andrew has replaced Robert Osbourn who recently stood down due to health reasons.

The group wish Robert a speedy recovery

There will be a further release shortly from Andrew outlining his vision for the future.

To join CFU click here

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (01 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (8401)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £900.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (01 January 2021) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (4839)
-there was a winner of the 'Main Draw' jackpot this week winning a total of £300.00.
-next weeks 'Main Draw' jackpot will be £300.00.

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.