A Shadow Board will be formed from the start of next season to allow fans' groups a greater voice with the Club...

Following the Fans Led Review, Cambridge United - in full agreement with Cambridge Fans United (CFU) and Cambridge United Supporters Panel (CUSP) - has decided to improve the way in which the Club engages across the whole fanbase. This builds on the positive steps taken in recent times.

Consequently, instead of a Fans Elected Director - in-line with the Fan Led Review - there will be a Shadow Board from the start of next season which will represent fans’ groups in a fuller, more effective and more structured way. 

Andrew Stephen, Chair of CFU said, "CFU have been enthusiastic supporters of the Club’s ground breaking involvement in the Fans Led Review and are very excited about this development. It is very clear that fans will now be more fully engaged in and consulted on the issues which concern us all through the creation of a Shadow Board. This - taken together with plans for a Golden Share - will mean that things which have been placed in jeopardy at many other clubs due to a lack of engagement with fans, will be effectively prevented. But more than that it will allow us all to come together and help promote the club and the interests of its fans. 

"It is great that CFU will be fully involved in helping to design the Shadow Board’s structure, meeting pattern and remit together with other fan groups. While the details are being worked out over coming months, Dave Matthew-Jones will remain as FED for a little longer. Both the Club and CFU see this as a very exciting opportunity. It will mean in the years to come that Cambridge United and fans groups will be working ever more closely together for the benefit of the Club we all love. United in Endeavour."

Godric Smith, Director and member of the Fan Led Review Panel said, "We are fortunate to have such brilliant fans at Cambridge United who have stuck by the Club in bad times and good, and continue to give such great support. Now is the time to build on the great work carried out by CFU, CUSP, the Amber Belles and many others to create a Shadow Board which can formalise engagement so there can be a genuine two-way dialogue with all our supporters.

"We start from a good place with the Club’s fan engagement rated as one of the best across the EFL in a recent national survey, but we want to keep improving. It's obviously a priority for all of us to keep growing the fanbase. We will work with supporter groups over the summer on these new arrangements so they can be in place for next season."

The latest edition of the Amber News in on line. Read it online or download a copy below

“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common…..Celebrate it every day.” Winston Churchill

CFU Appeal to football supporters

Dear Fan,

We at CFU would like to urge you to support the Fans Led Review and to write to your MP asking them to show their support for the report by writing to Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture , Media and Sport. It is easy enough to read the full report online but it is particularly important to read the section on Diversity. Sections 7 and 8, which follow this, are particularly important for all supporters as they give a clear idea as to how fully involved they could be in the running of clubs in the future.

Most MPs will support the proposals but the Government needs to hear from elected representatives from all over the country. We have seen manifesto promises “forgotten” before and our political leaders need to be reminded just how much our game matters to us and how strongly we feel about unfairness and the hijacking of the working person’s sport by the media moghuls and investors, people who don’t have the best interests of the sport at heart.

Most MPs don’t like template or automatically generated emails, so try to make yours personal:

1 How long have you been a Cambridge United fan and what does your club mean to you?
2 Ask your MP to write to Nadine Dorries and ask her to call on the government to back all the recommendations of the Fan Led Review of football governance, as it said it would.
3 Football has shown itself incapable of putting its own house in order so it needs an independent regulator to make sure that it does.
4 We also need stronger and fairer financial controls, to protect our heritage from ill -conceived schemes like the European Super League. The grass roots, the future of football, must be properly funded. Equality, Diversity, Fairness and Real Competition must be the central values to the way the game is run. Fans must never be faced with losing their clubs because of ego driven owners with no understanding of tradition or the aspirations of fans.

Finally, supporters’ organisations like ours must be embedded in their clubs and have a real say in the way they are run. Their views must never be an afterthought. Football without fans is nothing!

Thank your MP for his or her attention and remember, every single letter makes a difference!

United in Endeavour,
​
Andrew Stephen, Chairman of CFU.

Monday 3rd January 2022 will see a Must Win prize fund of £1000.00 - plans are for 5 x £100 cheques and 25 x £20 club shop vouchers. There will be 30 winners plus the usual Must win Monday prize of £100.00.

In addition from January 2022 and on every 4th Monday there will be an additional Must Win Monday £100.00 winner.

The Abbey Accumulator is drawn every Friday and is now standing at £2,050 and will increase by £50 each week until won.

The lottery is supporting two local foodbank projects jointly run by Cambridge Charity Fundraisers who are providing Xmas dinners to 15 local families and Abbey Action who are providing a food bank facility. The lottery are jointly providing funds of £300.00. We understand that around 70 families are part of the project

It’s only £2 a week, Sign up here:

https://www.cufclottery.co.uk/sign-up/

On the  18th December, Cambridge United  played Rotherham at the Abbey Stadium

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

This afternoon we welcome the supporters, officials and players of Rotherham to the Abbey Stadium. It is less than a month since the two sides met at the New York Stadium, however much has happened since then, both on and off the pitch. Cambridge United have advanced to the next rounds of both the Papa John’s Trophy and the FA Cup. The match at St James Park against Newcastle is certainly one to whet the appetite. Tickets are now on sale for the away coach as is the Boxing Day match at Wycombe Wanderers for more details see https://tinyurl.com/2p856w5f. 

 I have been involved in supporter matters with different organisations for more than twenty years and we seem to finally have a plan following the Fans Led Review for taking football forwards in England. It is an opportunity that will bring about a fairer system, a fairer distribution of funds across the pyramid, a regulator who will oversee the game properly and the opportunity to get supporters more involved at their clubs. It cannot be allowed to fail. Supporters cannot just sit back and accept the review will go through without some opposition. There will be and there is already opposition in some quarters. It is your responsibility to ensure the game is fit for the next generation. Your children and grand-children. It is up to everyone wanting a fairer system to make sure these changes happen and help the organisations trying to help you. There may not be another chance in our lifetime to ensure fairness and openness. 

 The FSA has campaigned for these changes on behalf of supporters and are asking supporters to help make sure the Government implement the changes in the review. They would like supporters and supporters’ groups to contact their MP’s urging them to back the proposals and get their support for the report by writing to Nadine Dorries the secretary of state for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). They believe most MPs will support the review’s proposals, but want to ensure the Government hears from all the elected representatives from across the country.  To find out who your local MP is and what to say to them and how to write the email see https://thefsa.org.uk/news/want-to-fix-football-heres-how-you-can-change-things/ 

 Please encourage everyone you know who is a football supporter to write. Following the debacle of the European Super League during the summer many supporters of those clubs will also be concerned about their club's future, encourage them to support the review. It is in their interest to do so.  This needs everyone to be involved if it is to have real success 

To read the Fans Led Review and see its recommendations see the link  https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-led-review-is-a-huge-step-forward/ 

 Following the recent Government regulations concerning covid please be patience and ensure you follow the advice, requirements and rules as you did previously.  Please have the relevant paperwork ready when you come on matchdays. It will speed everything up when getting to the turnstiles. We know you will and thank you for doing so in advance. Stay safe, look after yourself and enjoy the upcoming festive period.   

​You can contact me via dave.matthew-jones@cambridge-united.co.uk or follow what is happening via the www.facebook.com/CambridgeUnitedFootballClub  facebook site  

www.cambridgefansunited.org  website or via twitter  SLO@CambridgeUTD  

 If you would like to report a broken seat/bench in the Main or South Stands please contact the club by using the e-form below.  You can also report any facility issues as well via the form and we will endeavour to repair or address it as soon as we can  via the link here

We are regularly asked for teamsheets on matchdays  by supporters of both sides.  We have launched  Programme  on a Page.  this season.   It is a combination  of a team sheet and   programme  on   one sheet of paper and can be downloaded on matchdays or have on your mobile device. We hope you enjoy the read and find the information useful

The latest   copy is now available to   download   below   or at the Programme Exchange   outlet  (outside the club shop) before the  match against   Rotherham

Tomorrow's copy is free while stocks are available.
Reminder of COVID-19 guidance here
 Please see the Frequently  asked questions here 
 
We also provide picturepath that helps reduce anxiety for children with SEN when coming to the Abbey Stadium https://cambridgefansunited.org/how-to-use-picture-path.html…

Audio descriptive commentary https://cambridgefansunited.org/audio-descriptive-commentary.html…

The following matches are currently on line for the   away travel


Sunday 26th December 2021----------Wycombe Match day  ticket book here

January 8th ------------ Newcastle  United                           Match day tickets order here

You can ring    Away  Travel  on      07591 111251 or  Email   cfuawaytravel@yahoo.com​

This year the FSA has been promoting #TerraceTalk – a fan-led mental health initiative – to encourage open and honest conversations about mental health and encourage supporters who need them to seek out mental health support services.

And with Christmas approaching we’re reminding fans about the help that’s available for those who are feeling the unusual stress that the holidays can occasionally bring.

Backed by the EFL and Mind’s ‘On Your Side’ partnership, #TerraceTalk aims to complement existing initiatives in football and encourage fans to reach out if they need a little support.

Much of the work on #TerraceTalk has been carried out by supporter representatives from the FSA’s Networks – aiming to raise awareness of critical mental health issues and deliver initiatives at club level.

The leading mental health charity MIND has a page dedicated to mental health issues around Christmas – you can read that here.

Elsewhere support is available from the following organisations:

Age UK – call 0800 678 1602 8am-7pm
Alcoholics Anonymous or call 0800 9177 650
Andy’s Man Club
CALMzone – call 0800 585858
Childline or call 0800 1111
Mental Health First Aid (England)
Mental Health First Aid (Wales)
Mental Health Matters
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – call 0808 2000 247
National Gambling Helpline or call 0808 8020 133
rehab4addiction or call 0800 140 4690
Samaritans – 116 123 call any time for free
SHOUT 85258 – a text-only 24 hour confidential mental health support service – text 85258
SEED – specialise in supporting those with eating disorders & associated mental health issues – call 01482 718130 or email.
For medical advice call the NHS on 111.

The Fan-led Review of Football Governance proposed ideas which could radically transform our game for the better – and we want fans across the country to do their bit and ensure that the Government implements those recommendations.

Football club chief executives have already started their own lobbying operation to oppose the report and we, as supporters, must counteract that by contacting our elected officials and letting them know that football fans are right behind the Fan-led Review.

How can I help?We want individual fans and supporters’ groups to contact their own MP and ask them to show their support for the report by writing to Nadine Dorries, the secretary of state for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). We believe most MPs will support the review’s proposals but we want to ensure the Government hears from elected representatives from across the country.

Action:

• You can find your MP’s contact details here: members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
• Copy in the FSA so we can see which MPs have been contacted: mp@thefsa.org.uk

Many MPs have told us they are more likely to engage with personally written emails from their constituents, as opposed to template letters or auto-generated email platforms, so we would encourage supporters to craft their own email. However, we have provided some guidance which you can use and/or rewrite into your own style.

How should I introduce my email? Say who you are and where you live. Be polite. If you support a club in (or around) your MPs constituency then it’s worth namechecking your team – especially if it has been through problems which the Fan-led Review seeks to fix (e.g. administration, ownership issues etc).

Ask your MP to write to Nadine Dorries, the secretary of state for the DCMS, and call for the Government to back all the recommendations in the Fan-led Review of Football Governance.

Point out that Football has had many opportunities to self-regulate and has not taken them. The Government’s Fan-led Review manifesto commitment was welcome and now it should deliver up the recommendations of the report (you might wish to include them, see below).

What are the recommendations?

• Governance: an independent regulator for football (IREF) which has the necessary investigative and enforcement powers needed to prevent the recurrence of such developments as the European Super League.
• Finance: football’s model is unsustainable with too ma clubs making losses. Pre-emptive action is needed and a regulator will impose stronger financial controls.
  
• Engagement: proposals to embed democratic supporter organisations and engagement within the heart of domestic football.
• Heritage: football stadiums, club badges, location, colours and competitions all deserve special protections. Fans to have a veto on these assets at every club via a “golden share” which is held by a democratic, legally-constituted fan group.
• Reform: half of the FA Board should be made up of independent non-executive directors, to reduce elite club influence. The review also recommends reform of the FA Council.
• Distribution: the removal of restrictions on FA spending meaning more money redirected towards grassroots, non-league and women’s football.
• Equality: Equality, diversity and inclusion plans should be mandatory for all clubs.
• Women’s game: a recommendation that a new review is set up to specifically explore the challenges facing the women’s game. Those challenges may or may not require a different approach to the men’s game but they must be examined thoroughly and independently.

Signing off Thank your MP and encourage them to read Tracey Crouch’s Fan-led Review of Football Governance which can be downloaded from the DCMS website. If you’re from a supporters’ organisation why not ask if they’d like a meeting to discuss the Fan-led Review in more detail?

Don’t forget to copy in the FSA (mp@thefsa.org.uk) so we can see which MPs have been contacted. While it’s better to contact MPs via email we realise many people will prefer to use Twitter – tag @WeAreTheFSA as we’d be interested to join in those discussions.

Here is the result of the 'The Abbey Accumulator' (10 December 2021)

This weeks winning number for 'The Abbey Accumulator' is (2798)

It's a rollover this week so next week's 'The Abbey Accumulator' jackpot will be £2050.

The lucky winner of 'The Abbey Accumulator' will be notified individually by email and receive their cheque within the next few days.

Yours sincerely, The CUFC Lottery Team,  https://www.cufclottery.co.uk

NOW CLOSED

The Amber Nation will be traveling to Premiership Newcastle United in the FA Cup (date to be confirmed)

We are trying to ascertain the demand for  the  Away Travel Coach on the day

Will you be using it? Please say via the form below.

The cost will be  40 pounds.  Coach tickets will be going on sale next week

If you wish to or know someone who would like to sponsor the coaches please let us know via the details below.

I am sure that Mark and the players would welcome as many supporters in St James's Park backing them

Contact away travel via the details below ringing   on      07591 111251 or  Emailing   cfuawaytravel@yahoo.com​

If you are following Cambridge United to  Charlton on Saturday see the information below. We hope it will help you on your journey. If you need more information the contact details are below

Contact Information Charlton Athletic Football Club
The Valley
Floyd Road
Charlton
SE7 8BL
Switchboard 020 8333 4000
Ticket Office 03330 14 44 44
Website        www.cafc.co.uk

Are there any known traffic issues en route to the Stadium?
Traffic should not be a problem, please be aware we are within the ULEZ zone so make sure supporters check if their vehicle is exempt.  

Is there Blue Badge parking available for away fans?
If so, please provide details (how to pre book, how much etc) Blue badge parking is available at disability.parking@cafc.co.uk

 Do you have a Changing Places or baby changing facility?  

Yes they are available in the South stand disability toilet.
 Are you a cashless stadium?   Yes

 Please give details of pre-match venue for away fans (Will our supporters be able to use your club house or do they need to make other arrangements)?     The Angerstein hotel is the away supporters pub

   Where is the nearest cash machine to the Stadium?   We have a cash machine at the club shop inside the grounds

  What is the approximate distance from the train station to the Stadium?   About 500 meters

  Bus frequency from car parks or station(s).   There is no parking and bus service

   What food and drink is available in the concourse at the Stadium?   Pies and pasties as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments

    Is there a Match day helpline number for emergencies?   Contact your nearest steward

Information about The Valley en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Valley_(London)

If you are following Cambridge United to  Cheltenham on Tuesday evening see the information below. We hope it will help you on your journey if you are going. If you need more information the contact details are below

The stadium is not cashless. You can buy tickets and food and drink with cash or cards but we no longer sell any tickets from the turnstiles. All tickets if bought on the day are from the ticket office. They are cheaper if bought in advance. 
Programmes are cash only £3

I am happy to meet your supporters coach when it arrives if required and welcome them personally.

Away fans collecting pre-paid tickets can do so from the shed adjacent to the Hazelwood’s (away) stand and programmes are on sale in this area too. If any fans with disability have specific needs, do let me know and I will pass this on to my colleague

Please note that once inside the Hazelwood’s stand, there is no facility to purchase alcohol.

Away fan friendly pubs include The Kemble and The Sandford Park Ale House. There are a variety of pubs in the town centre.
If there is anything else I can help with before Tuesday please let me know,

For more information see https://www.ctfc.com/fans/visiting-supporters/

Cheltenham Town Football ClubAddress:
Jonny-Rocks Stadium
Whaddon Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL52 5NA
Main switchboard: 01242 573558
Fax: 01242 224675
Email: info@ctfc.com 

Ticket Office

Phone: 01242 573558 (Option 1)
Email: tickets@ctfc.com

All away supporters can expect a warm welcome to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium from our staff and stewards who are on hand to help make your visit to the home of the Robins as enjoyable as possible.

Away Ticket Information
All away supporters are seated in the Hazlewoods Stand, which is an all seater stand located behind the goal and accessed via Whaddon Road.
Visiting clubs will be sent a ticket allocation if requested and these tickets will then be available to buy from the respective team’s Ticket Office. Tickets will also be available to buy at the ticket office at Cheltenham however prices do go up on a matchday so visiting fans are advised to purchase in advance of matchday.
Those needing to pay by credit/debit card can do this at the CTFC Ticket Office which is located in the car park next to the club shop. 

Away Disabled Supporters
Away disabled supporters who require a wheelchair space need to book these in advance. This can be done by contacting their own Ticket Office (if allocation has been sent) or alternatively contacting the Ticket Office at Cheltenham Town Football Club on 01242 573558 option 1.

Away supporters who are ambulant  can buy through their respective club's ticket office. Alternatively if choosing to do so they can buy from the ticket office at Cheltenham if purchasing on matchday.

By Car:

From The North:
Leave the M5 at junction 10 and take the A4019 towards Cheltenham. Keep straight on through the traffic lights, until you come to large roundabout (there is a McDonalds on the left), at which you turn turn left. Continue up this road going over a double mini roundabout. Keep going for about 300 yards and then turn right into Swindon Lane. Go over the level crossing and straight over the next roundabout (signposted Prestbury) passing the race course on your left. Turn right into Albert Road (signposted Gloucestershire University) and at the bottom at the roundabout turn left into Prestbury Road, (the ground is signposted from here) and then further down Prestbury Road, turn right into Whaddon Road. The Jonny-Rocks Stadium is down on the left.

From The South:
Leave the M5 at Junction 11 turning right towards Cheltenham. Go across 1st roundabout - GCHQ is on your left. Turn left at the next roundabout, into Princess Elizabeth Way. Go straight over the next roundabout, (the exit is over at about "1 o'clock"). Keep on up this road, and you will come to a big roundabout, where you will see a McDonalds on the corner. Go straight across this roundabout and continue up this road going over a double mini roundabout. Then as North.

By Train:
Nearest train station: Cheltenham Spa Railway Station 
Frequent train routes run between Cheltenham and Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and London.  To get to the town centre from Cheltenham Spa railway station you can either walk (approximately 20 minutes), get the Stagecoach D bus (departs every 10 minutes during peak times) or get a taxi (there is a taxi rank at the station).

On the  4th December, Cambridge United  played Exeter  at the Abbey Stadium in the FA Cup Second Round

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

After more than a year’s hard work, the new and improved SLO Handbook is finally out. The handbook, aptly titled »UEFA Practical Guide to Supporter Liaison«, is a co-production between SD Europe and UEFA, and is more than 100 pages long. Coinciding with the decline of the pandemic and the opening of football in mostcountries, this is a welcoming practical tool for all national associations and clubs in Europe. Let’s hear from the handbook’s editor and main writer Tony Ernst:

Read more via the link below
www.sdeurope.eu/post/the-sd-europe-produced-slo-handbook-is-finally-out

You can download the handbook here or read below

The EFL and the EFL Trust have launched the inaugural edition of the EFL in the Community Newsletter.

The newsletter aims to showcase a selection of the invaluable activities carried out by EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations (CCOs), with Issue One published in Autumn 2021.

Taking place every day across England and Wales, EFL Clubs and CCOs collectively continue to make a huge difference and positive impact on our communities whilst improving people’s lives.

In this first issue, we look back on a successful EFL Trust National Conference which took place at St George’s Park last month, along with an interview from the newly-appointed Chair of the EFL Trust, Liam Scully.

In addition, the newsletter also looks back on the 10-year anniversary of the EFL Trust partnership with the National Citizen Service and how EFL Clubs have provided over 400 young people with employment via the Government’s Kickstart scheme.

Together, our Clubs and CCOs reach over 850,000 people each year across England and Wales. The hours committed by players and Club teams, the volume of volunteers involved and the numbers of people they reach is remarkable and EFL in the Community Newsletter aims to celebrate this work.

Read Issue One here.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first national supporter organisation emerging in England & Wales.

To celebrate that anniversary we’ve produced a 40-page publication that looks back at the work supporters have been engaged in over the last 100 years.

The 100 Years of Supporter Activism publication looks at the founding of the major national supporter organisations and how the movement has developed vital campaigns over the decades:

100 Years of Supporter Activism chapters:

• Foreword
• The Fan Voice
• Supporter ownership
• Football’s Darkest Days
• ID Cards: The Fightback Begins
• Rise of the ISAs
• Fans In Focus
• Women’s Game
• Fanzines
• Anti-racism & Diversity
• Policing
• Twenty’s Plenty
• Super League & Game 39
• Football & WWII
• Fans’ embassies
• Safe standing
• 
  

The publication is available to download. A small number of printed copies are available, if you would like to know more about the printed version please get in touch.

• Download now – 100 Years of Supporter Activism…