Ambling Amber Army

When I first polled up for walking football last October, I will cheerfully admit that I couldn’t get the hang of it. I hadn’t played football for a year and, like many of the people playing on the Abbey ‘all weather’, I’d probably assumed I would never play again. There were ladies playing, a gentleman in his eighties and one or two less athletic than me but it really didn’t matter.

Over the months I’ve noticed how each player new to the group is welcomed, encouraged and given the ball, whatever their ability. Obviously, when you are established, the banter over tea and biscuits in the Abbey Arms can be fierce, particularly if you are a goalkeeper, or a coach, or on a sugar-free diet or if you are a former teacher.

Another thing I’ve noticed over the months is how much better everyone has got, particularly when playing indoors where the ball rarely goes out of play. We began to look at the idea of playing friendlies and when the FA People’s Cup was announced, I wasn’t that surprised when we registered a team for this competition.

We had no idea how we would fare in open competition, but we were content that we had a team able to compete at all. We were also very fortunate that the CEN donated Cambridge United shirts which gave us an unusually professional look.

The day dawned and as we arrived at Bottisham Sports Centre for over three hours, we learned that it was -3˚C. We didn’t want to let down our fearless coach, Phil Mullen, or official photographer, Simon Wall.

Although I had a totally ineffectual three hours or so, I really enjoyed myself and, when I woke up this morning, I felt as if I'd been trampled on by a horse! My body must be trying to tell me something. It is brilliant that the FA organises this kind of competition. As a group of over fifties who only play for fun, our first venture as a team in any kind of competition was a success. We began with three victories before losing our first game to a team of ballerinas who had spent too much time watching the Premiership. Well done to Paul Hills for putting them straight. As we tired, we drew the next and lost the final game as frostbite took its toll. The nicest and best team were from Bedford, the most amusing were from Stagecoach and our least favourite team won. They beat us with a contentious penalty. Our three wins came with the same Referee. Just saying. Finally, I believe that we acquitted ourselves well and we really appreciated the support of our friends who watched us all afternoon in the freezing cold. That's the kind of group we are.

Some photographs from around the Abbey today.

Mick and Ian are really putting in a shift to beat the weather and get everything in place/ready for Saturday.

This afternoon the sun shone and with the heat melted some of the snow and the remainder wherever possible was removed using rubber rakes. by spreading it

This week has seen work commence at the front of the ground.

Can you spot what has disappeared since Monday?

If so, can anyone remember when it was erected?

More than 20,000 Borussia Dortmund supporters boycotted their team's Bundesliga game against Augsburg in protest at Monday night football. They feel left behind by the commercialization of the game.

Something was different on the Dortmund underground. The trams to the Westfalenstadion, on matchdays usually packed with black-and-yellow clad football supporters, were strangely empty.

"So how many are boycotting?" asked one fan, on his way home rather than going to the match. "About 15,000, I heard," replied his friend. "Maybe more because of the cold."

Inside the stadium, the famous Yellow Wall, usually a sea of color in the buildup to kickoff, was a sad patchwork of gray punctuated by the relatively few fans who had braved the minus temperatures. The central block right behind the goal, the usual home of Dortmund's vocal ultras, was completely deserted.

The last time the "Südtribüne" was so empty for a league game was when it was forcibly closed by the German Football League (DFL) after crowd trouble. But on Monday night, this was a self-imposed exile.

READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE

FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 25th February 2018 (5:30pm KO)

University of Cambridge Sports Centre

FT: Cambridge United FC Futsal 7 – 6 London City Futsal Club (HT: 2 – 2)

Goals – Angel Martinez (3), Monty Bouttell (3), Paulo Rodrigues

Squad – Lino Cebey (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Angel Martinez, Alberto Morcillo ©, Monty Bouttell, Paulo Rodrigues, Vitalii Burnus, Nico Papadopoulous, George Harlow, Jonathan Tofts, Greg Birch, Enrico Barnes

Coach – Luis Mendonca

Mascots – Cambridge City FC Girls U11s and George Head

Special Guest – Ronnie Leys (3)

Attendance – 175

Cambridge United FC Futsal get back to winning ways in the FA Futsal National Super League

Cambridge United FC Futsal welcomed current Futsal FA Cup holders London City Futsal Club to the University of Cambridge Sports Centre on Sunday in the FA Futsal National Super League.

The Us had tasted defeat for the first time since the start of November the previous weekend putting an end to their fine 9 match unbeaten run which had seen them move up into 4th place in the FA Futsal National Super League. Sunday’s opponents London City (formerly Baku United), traditionally one of the strongest teams in English futsal, sat one place behind United in 5th. The earlier meeting between the two sides had finished in a 3-3 draw courtesy of a last minute Toby Hardwick strike.

Toby Hardwick was missing this time around through injury joining other absentees Inaki Prado, Pedro Pereira, Justo Lopez, Tim Henery and Chema Cruz but Vitalii Burnus and Nico Papadopoulous returned to the match day squad with Lino Cebey replacing Jose Lima in goal.

Read More by clicking here

Watch the action by clicking here

Are you in the picture

Click on the links below to see the photos from the Accrington and Notts County Matchday photographs by Simon Lankester

Notts County click here

Accrington click here

Cambridge United play Luton at the Abbey Stadium this Saturday

Supporters buying tickets in advance of match day will save £2 off full match day prices.

To buy tickets on line Click here to buy now or
ring 01223 566 500
visit the club shop

Match Day Prices:

North/South Habbin and Newmarket Road End
Adult - £18
Concession - £14
Junior - £10
Under 12 - £7

Mundipharma Community Stand Family Blocks A & G
Adult - £20
Concession - £1
Junior - £10
Under 12 – £7

Mundipharma Community Stand Blocks B, F, A1 & A2
Adult - £22
Concession - £17
Junior - £12
Under 12 – £7

Mundipharma Community Stand Blocks C, D & E
Adult – £22

Coconuts TV - Luke Chadwick

Luke began watching Cambridge United as a young boy.

He was 5 or 6 years old when his father took him and his brother to the Abbey Stadium for the first time in the mid 1980s.

Coconuts Patron Luke spoke to us in February 2018 at the Abbey and explained that despite his many clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, West Ham, MK Dons, Royal Antwerp, Stoke and Norwich, his allegiance to the U's never wavered.

Luke discusses his eventual move to Cambridge, earlier rejection as a youngster at United and how eventually it all came together.

He describes one goal he scored in front of the NRE/Corona End and the victory which took the U's back into the League as some of the best moments of his footballing life ...

https://youtu.be/lfk9QLwVLX4

Further memories of personalities from Abbey & Cambridge United’s history can be seen and heard here:

http://www.100yearsofcoconuts.co.uk/coconuts-tv.html

Before the snow started this morning, all the main walkway areas were gritted and the area in front of the South Stand were prepared ready for Saturday

The tunnel under the main Stand was swept through

Now we need to wait and see what the temperatures are and the best time is to lift the covers. Keep an eye on social media as we may need help at short notice to carry this work out later in the week

Just after mid day the snow started falling on the Abbey Stadium. It is now sunny

CFU Statement – Cambridge United’s AGM Financial Statement
 
Cambridge Fans United representatives, Robert Osbourn and Nigel Pearce, met with Cambridge United Finance Director, Steve Chamberlain, last week.  The meeting was arranged following CFU’s letter to the Club asking that more information be provided to shareholders ahead of the Club’s AGM http://www.cambridgefansunited.org/blog/cfu-has-written-to-cambridge-united In recent years only limited financial information has been made available to shareholders and this has made it difficult for them to have a clear understanding of the club's trading position.
 
CFU Trust Board Chair, Robert, said: “The meeting was positive and encouraging.  Steve was able to give CFU an assurance that his wider agenda to provide improved information to all external stakeholders is already well progressed. This includes providing better financial information to shareholders ahead of the Club’s forthcoming AGM and he fully expects to be able to return to the same level of disclosure that shareholders were previously accustomed to, up to 2012. Steve has kindly offered to share a skeleton version of the Club’s 2018 Annual Statement and Financial Report to shareholders with CFU shortly.  
 
CFU is glad of the opportunity to meet Steve and will welcome dialogue with other Board members in due course.  At times of change, such as Cambridge United is experiencing at the moment, clear lines of communication with fans, shareholders and other stakeholders are vitally important as we each have a role to play in the club achieving success."
 
The date of the Cambridge United AGM is still to be confirmed.
 
Ends

With spring coming we decided last week to brighten up the area by the reception doors.

U's supporter Nigel Pearce who made the box outside the Abbey Ams and provides all the plants painted the box above.

Gradually the volunteer team are providing areas that have club identity around the ground and when the weather improves we will target further ones.

Next week we are looking to sweep the main stand, finish painting the woodwork in the compound and get ready for the Luton match

Blackpool fans will be marching on EFL headquarters next week as they call for the creation of an independent football league regulator.

As part of their protest they have also launched a petition calling on the Government to introduce a regulator ensuring the “highest possible standards of governance for all clubs”. The petition calling on reform of the EFL gathered 2,000 signatures on its first day.

Led by the Tangerine Knights, the march on EFL headquarters is expected to see hundreds of Blackpool fans descend on Preston next Friday, March 2nd.

Read more here www.fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/blackpool-fans-plan-efl-protest-march-2018

Thank you for your continued support of the CUFC Lottery.

CUFC Lottery 'Accumulator' Results (23 February 2018) - this weeks winning 'Accumulator' numbers are (5391)
-there were no winners of the weekly 'Accumulator' this week, meaning next weeks 'Accumulator' will be £1300.

CUFC Lottery 'Main Draw' Results (23 February 2018) - this weeks winning 'Main Draw' numbers are (5783)
-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 is 1 CUFC Lottery member matching the first pair winning £10.00
-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.

New training session for amputee footballers has been set up in Bottisham,

Watch the video on the BBC website by clicking here

Information about the sessions are below

Cambridge United Community Trust are in partnership with Steel Bones and Cambridgeshire FA to launch our first Amputee Football Sessions.
The sessions will be held at Bottisham Village College from 7-8pm
Who can attend:

• People with congenital limb deficiencies
• Persons with restricted use of limbs
• Limbless or limb impaired
• All ages and abilities welcome
  
• 
  

Session Details:
Venue: Bottisham Village College
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: £3 per session
To express your interest in attending the session and for more information:
Email: hello@steelbone.co.uk
Call: 07809 244 895

If you have missed something - Catch up on the previous weeks news  -

You can follow CFU daily via facebook click here or
www.facebook.com/CambridgeUnitedFootballClub/

23 February-------Sponsored Sleepout in The Abbey Stadium
23 February-------Will you notice the difference?
23 February-------Attendance Analysis: Season 2016/17
23 February-------Cambridge United announces Mental Health Awareness evening
23 February-------CFU Sponsored Finley Iron goes out on loan
23 February-------Match day Information - Travelling to Accrington
22 February-------EFL: Transfer window to close on Thursday, 9 August
22 February-------2018 Cambridge United Hall of Fame dinner - *Sponsorship opportunity*
22 February-------CUFC Futsal : Genesis Match Report 21 FEB | BY PAUL BOUTTEL
22 February-------Cover up at the Abbey Stadium -- The Apprentice Groundsman
22 February-------EFL and Mind join forces in mental health mission
21 February-------Morecambe 19 April 2016 Match day Programme wanted
21 February-------Cambridge United Youth Development ---EASTER SOCCER SCHOOLS
21 February-------AWAY TICKETS AND TRAVEL | ACCRINGTON STANLEY
20 February-------Remembering Andrew Bennett
20 February-------Coconuts interviewing Luke Chadwick today
20 February-------Is Dave Amoo any closer to starting for Cambridge United? CFU Sponsor David Amoo
20 February-------ETHOS COMMUNITY HERO OF THE DAY | WENDY TWINN
19 February-------Abbey Arms Information
19 February-------Getting ready for the next match - The Apprentice Groundsman
19 February-------Missed something - catch up here on the previous weeks news

For Previous news click here Previous News

January Amber News can be found by clicking  here

CFU would like to wish everyone taking part in the sponsored Sleepout in The Abbey Stadium every success and best wishes for the night.

Read below the story and help them reach their target  -

The sponsored Sleepout at The Abbey Stadium will raise funds for our two chosen charities by sleeping in the stands on Friday 23rd February. The evening will involve speakers from Jimmy's Cambridge and Street Child United sharing about what their organisations do to work with homeless and street-connected children. 

The money raised for Jimmy's Cambridge will go towards Cambridge United Community Trust and Jimmy's Cambridge projects together with the other half going towards Street Child United tournaments in the future.    
For over 20 years, Jimmy's has been providing help for the homeless in Cambridge. They work with the local community, volunteers and partner agencies to deliver 24/7 emergency accommodation and supported housing for those who would otherwise be homeless or vulnerably housed. Their vision is to provide homeless accommodation pathways from the street floor to a sustainable front door.      

Street Child United are a charity which uses the power of sport to change the way the world sees and treats street connected children, raising visibility and giving a platform for their voices to be heard and for their lives to be changed. Street Child United are hosting the Street Child World Cup in Moscow 2018 and the Street Child Cricket World Cup in London 2019. Watch a 90 second video of their work here. 
Cambridge United Community Trust are delighted to be supporting these two charities through this fundraiser and hope to raise awareness of the work of both organisations locally and across the world.

The Just Giving Page is
https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/cuctrust/sponsoredsleepoutattheabbeystadium

When you visit the Abbey Stadium there will be a change at the front of the ground.

Would you have noticed that the fences have disappeared? 

See below photographs.

The fences have been in place since the wall was blown over by the wind and needed rebuilding. The final part was the fixing the cables back to the wall

Away attendances are on the rise across the EFL, with the average away following across all 72 EFL clubs increasing for a fourth consecutive year during the 2016/17 season.

The noted increase follows a comprehensive analysis of the submitted gate receipts across all 1,656 matches of an EFL season, and shows that on average over 1,500 supporters travelled to each Sky Bet Championship away game in 2016/17, helping boost the overall EFL average to almost 1,000 an increase of six per cent when compared to 2015/16.

The growing interest in following teams around the country comes with the EFL also seeing overall attendance increases, as highlighted in the latest UEFA European Club Footballing Landscape Report. The Sky Bet Championship moved up a place to become the third best attended division in Europe, with Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A just some of the high profile leagues posting lower figures.

To read more click here

Directions - Visit the Wham Stadium

From the M65

Leave the M65 at Junction 7, taking the Clitheroe turn off the roundabout. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights opposite Clayton Business Park, following the A678. Follow the road over the canal bridge to the next set of traffic lights. Turn right again going over the motorway bridge and towards Accrington on the A680. Carry straight on at the next set of lights with the Greyhound pub on your right. Follow the road as it bends to the right and then take the first left after the Crown pub into Livingstone Road.

From M66
At the end of the M66 follow the A56 until you come to the Rising Bridge roundabout. Take the first turning, the A680 towards Accrington for around 3 miles. After passing the police and fire stations on the left follow the ring road dual carriageway around the town centre, through the pelican crossing and three sets of traffic lights. At the fourth set of lights, opposite the Castle pub, turn right to rejoin the A680. Follow this road up the hill for approximately 1 mile, Livingstone Road is approx 400 yards past Accrington Victoria Hospital on the right.#

By Train
The nearest railway station is Accrington this is approx 20 min walk from the ground. Directions leave the station and proceed down the hill passing over the main Blackburn road, follow the road down the hill passing the King Street Pub on your left, follow the road down to the main roundabout cross over the road and head up the hill passing the Aldi supermarket still on your left, at the top of the hill turn left (Whalley Road) follow this road straight on through the traffic lights, the Gray Horse and the Oaklea pubs are are 300 Mts through the lights, carry on straight along Whalley Road over the mini roundabout for approx 200 Mts Livingstone Road is on your right turn down Livingstone Road and the ground is on your left.

By Bus (From Accrington center)
The nearest stop is opposite the Crown Pub and is reached by the Hyndburn Circular Bus this runs every 15 Mins from the main bus station in the center of Accrington.

Car Parking
Car parking is available on the William Dyer Electrical Stand following the developments at the Club. We have 59 spaces available to pre-book on a match-by-match basis or seasonal. The price per game is £5 or seasonal pass is £60 and includes all cup games. To pre-book your space please call Jessica on 01254 356950.

Where to Drink Locally
The Accrington Stanley Sports Bar located in the Blackrock EMI (Jack Barrett) Stand at the Wham Stadium which overlooks the pitch offers a warm welcome to all home and away supporters for banter, swapping stories and a good chat before and after the game. The bar offers draft lager, draft cider and all the standard pub drinks along with a selection of pies, plus it shows ALL live sport on the big screens pre and post match.

Where to Eat Locally
Food is served within the ground at both the home and away ends. The usual burgers and pies are always available. Other than the pubs detailed above there are a couple of places to eat close to the ground, The Oaklea Fish & Chip shop across the road from the Grey Horse (See pub guide), and of course in the town centre McDonalds and various takeaways.

Upon ArrivalAlmost all matches at the Wham Stadium are pay on the day but you can check this in advance by checking the News section of the official website. You must buy a ticket before going through the turnstiles.

The Coppice End (closest to you as you arrive down the lane) is usually reserved for away supporters and offers uncovered standing, with visiting fans also often given the choice of covered seating in the Whinney Hill Stand (on the far side as you arrive).

If you want to join the home supporters, turnstiles in the Main Blackrock EMI (Jack Barrett) Stand are in the car park beyond Main Reception and the Stanley Store. The Blackrock EMI Jack Barrett Stand is all seater.

Beyond the turnstiles you will pass the Hospitality Lounge before reaching the William Dyer Electrical Stand (Clayton End), where the most vociferous Stanley supporters congregate. This stand offers standing.

Ground Info
The ground holds a total of 5,057 spectators with covering along each side of the length of the pitch and behind one goal.

Programme
The official ASFC matchday programme, containing all the latest news, interviews, features and reports, is available from around the ground for just £3.00

Stanley Store

The Stanley club shop is staffed by friendly helpful people who will be only too happy to help you find just what you are looking for. The shop sells a wide range of Accrington Stanley merchandise together with other quality sportswear and is open 09:30 to 17:00 Monday – Friday and also open before and after home match-days.

Youth academy goalkeeper Finley Iron has gone on loan to St Neots. This week he palyed against Hereford and was chosen as the MOM. Well done. This week he will hoping to be in the St Neots side to play Slough

St Neots Town F.C.‏ @StNeotsTownFC Feb 20 Tonight’s MOM - chosen by the Cheese and Wine Society - after an impressive display belying his age (just 17) - is goalkeeper Finlay Iron Very well done young man

CFU also sponsor three other academy players

 ·        Lee Watkins
·         Inglian Hasani·      
·         Joe Neal

Cambridge United announces Mental Health Awareness eveningOn Tuesday 13th March at 6.30pm, Cambridge United through Cambridge United Community Trust will be hosting the first of three discussion evenings taking place monthly to raise awareness of mental health and emotional wellbeing and their connection to sport.

On the first evening surrounding the theme ‘It’s time to talk’, The Abbey Stadium will welcome guest speakers John Humpston, East Region Director of Samaritans and Ruth Fox, Cambridge United Women’s player to discuss the importance of speaking out and how important this is for maintaining positive mental health. There will also be a panel discussion, a Q&A and a chance to hear from other organisations working in the field.

To read more click here or to book

EFL clubs have officially voted through proposals that will see the EFL transfer window close following the opening game of the League season.

Consultation with clubs has been ongoing since last year and as a result of a vote, the window will now close for permanent transfers from another club on Thursday 9th August 2018 at 5pm, which is aligned with the decision the Premier League opted to take in September 2017.

In addition, EFL clubs will still be able to:

• Sign players on Standard Loan up to the 31st August 2018
• Sign players on Standard Loan up to 31st August 2018 with an option to agree a permanent transfer when the next window opens
• Register players who ceased to be registered with a club during the period up until 31st August 2018
• Transfer players OUT to a club in any League whose window is still open

The EFL was under no obligation to make any changes and the Board adopted a neutral position on the matter ensuring that clubs were provided with the appropriate information in order to fully consider the implications and come to a decision that benefitted their own individual transfer policies.

EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I’m pleased that the matter has been determined by clubs ahead of the start of next season.

“This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of the month if required.”

To read more click here

FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 18th February 2018 (5:50pm KO)

UEL University of East London SportsDock

FT: London Genesis Futsal Club 6 – 4 Cambridge United FC Futsal (HT: 1 – 1)

Goals – Monty Bouttell (2), Toby Hardwick, Alberto Morcillo

Squad – Jose Lima (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Angel Martinez, Alberto Morcillo, Paulo Rodrigues, Monty Bouttell, Toby Hardwick ©, George Harlow, Tim Henery, Jonathan Tofts, Greg Birch, Enrico Barnes

Coach – Luis Mendonca

Cambridge United FC Futsal’s long FA Futsal National Super League unbeaten run comes to an end in East London.

Cambridge United FC Futsal made the short trip down the M11 on Sunday to East London to face London Genesis Futsal Club in the FA Futsal National Super League.

Cambridge United had won the reverse fixture at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre earlier in the season in a thrilling 6-5 win courtesy of a last minute Angel Martinez winner. Previously, Genesis had defeated the Us in the Futsal Cup semi finals in Manchester so the two sides knew each other well.

Cambridge United FC Futsal went into the match unbeaten in 9 games whereas Genesis were bottom of the FA Futsal National Super League but had strengthened significantly during the January transfer window and had posted some impressive results since.

The Us were missing Chema Cruz, Inaki Prado, Pedro Pereira, Justo Lopez, Vitalii Burnus and Lino Cebey but Jose Lima, Paulo Rodrigues and Enrico Barnes all returned to the match day squad. There was also a good travelling contingent of Cambridge United FC Futsal supporters that had made the journey adding significantly to the atmosphere at the UEL SportsDock.

Cambridge started the game confidently, controlling early possession and defending with discipline when required to do so although the strength, power and pace of some of the Genesis players were posing some different problems for the Us. However, United soon deservedly took the lead when two of the youngsters combined with Monty Bouttell playing in Toby Hardwick who had burst through the Genesis defence and calmly slotted past the Genesis keeper to make it 1-0 to the Us.

To read more of the match report click here