History of Cambridge United F.C.
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The history of
History
From inception to the professional league
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United (named after the Abbey district of Cambridge in which they play); although a club called Cambridge United existed in Cambridge from 1909, it was not linked to the club that exists today.
The club was elected to the
Cambridge United gradually improved, and as the 1980s drew to a close, they were looking like promotion challengers.
Glory in the early 1990s
Cambridge United's biggest successes came in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They won the
Decline in the mid-1990s
John Beck was sacked in October 1992 with Cambridge United battling relegation from the new Division One, and Birmingham midfielder Ian Atkins was named player-manager. Atkins was unable to steer the U's clear of relegation (although he did take them to the quarter-finals of the League Cup) and he was replaced by Beck's former assistant Gary Johnson.
Cambridge United finished 10th in the 1993–94 Division Two campaign, but they struggled the following season. They may be considered unlucky to be relegated as league reconstruction that season meant the team finishing 5th from bottom went down, which is where United finished.
1999 promotion glory
Taylor then moved to Leyton Orient and was replaced by Roy McFarland, who delivered promotion back to Division Two in 1999.
Since achieving
Relegation in 2002
McFarland left the club in March 2001, with John Beck returning and saving the club from relegation. However this time around Beck was less than successful and was sacked half-way through the
Relegation to the Conference
Thompson was unable to save Cambridge United from relegation and their demotion to the
Financial plight
On 22 July 2005 the club came out of administration with a deal being struck with HM Revenue and Customs at the eleventh hour, after the intervention of then sports minister Richard Caborn, and had no worries about starting the 2005–06 Conference National campaign.[5][6] Rob Newman was unable to bring anything greater than a 12th-place finish in the 2005–06 Conference National final table.
Financial troubles remained, although with the burden of huge debts now lifted, and in December 2005 it was revealed that the club were in talks with their city neighbours
Long standing Club Chairman Reg Smart resigned from his role in early 2002 after 12 years in charge. Following brief stints from Gary Harwood (2002–5) and Roger Hunt (2005–6), Terry Baker took over the reins in February 2006. However, Baker's tenure ended suddenly at a Board meeting on 5 June 2006 citing unworkable relationships within the board as his reason for resignation, which led to the appointment of Brian Attmore (Fans' Director) as Acting Chairman on 6 June.[8] The fallout from this event led major shareholder Paul Barry to claim there are "deep divisions within the club at staff and board level" and that a new board had to be put in place to ensure stability at the club so that it could achieve the aim of promotion back to the Football League. Any new board would have to continue to deal with financial troubles which were reaffirmed with the news in late June 2006 that fans group Cambridge Fans United had loaned the club £20,000 to pay wages.[9]
Revival and return to Football League
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Burton0123.jpg/368px-Burton0123.jpg)
On the eve of the 2006–07 season, it was announced that former Norwich City striker
A strong start to
This came on the back of positive news off the field as a 26 March
Four seasons of mid table mediocrity followed, before Cambridge United re-emerged as promotion contenders in the
They finished 2016–17 season in 11th place, in a season that took in extended runs of both good and poor form.[13] Derry was dismissed in February 2018 and was replaced on a permanent basis by his assistant, Joe Dunne, on the final day of 2017–18.[14][15]
Cambridge started 2018–19 poorly, and manager Dunne was dismissed after 20 games with the club in 21st place.[16] Colin Calderwood was appointed as his replacement in December 2018.[17] Cambridge's second half under Calderwood was more successful, however, they could only finish in 21st place, only six points clear of the relegation zone.[18] Following a successful start to the 2019–20 season, Calderwood was offered a new contract.[19] However, after three heavy defeats in one month, Calderwood was sacked following a 4–0 defeat to Salford City.[20][21] With the U's in 18th place, Calderwood's assistant manager Mark Bonner was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season. Under Bonner, Cambridge won four from their final seven matches before the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season. Final league positions were decided on a points per game basis with Cambridge finishing in 16th place.[22] This good form resulted in Bonner being handed the permanent role of head coach. During the 2020–21 season, Bonner guided Cambridge to promotion from League Two as runners-up after seven seasons in that division. Promotion was clinched on the final day with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Grimsby Town.[23] Following this success, Bonner was handed a new three-year contract.[24]
On 3 September 2022, a statement released by the club announced that investment from the clubs owners had allowed it to purchase the ground back from Grosvenor, thus ending a 20 year spell of being tenants at The Abbey, the club's home for 89 years.
Seasons since 1970
Cambridge United were elected to the
Season | Division | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | League Pos | FA Cup | League Cup | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970–71 | Division Four | 15 | 13 | 18 | 43 | 20th | 2nd round | 1st round | First League season |
1971–72 | Division Four | 17 | 14 | 15 | 48 | 10th | 2nd round | 1st round | |
1972–73 | Division Four | 20 | 17 | 9 | 57 | 3rd | 1st round | 1st round | Promoted: 3rd of 24 |
1973–74 | Division Three | 13 | 9 | 24 | 35 | 21st | 3rd round | 2nd round | Relegated: 21st of 24 |
1974–75 | Division Four | 21 | 14 | 12 | 54 | 6th | 3rd round | 1st round | |
1975–76 | Division Four | 14 | 15 | 17 | 43 | 13th | 1st round | 1st round | |
1976–77 | Division Four | 26 | 13 | 7 | 65 | 1st | 1st round | 2nd round | Promoted: Champions |
1977–78 | Division Three | 23 | 12 | 11 | 58 | 2nd | 2nd round | 1st round | Promoted: Runners-up |
1978–79 | Division Two | 12 | 16 | 14 | 40 | 12th | 1st round | 1st round | |
1979–80 | Division Two | 14 | 16 | 12 | 44 | 8th | 4th round | 2nd round | |
1980–81 | Division Two | 17 | 6 | 19 | 40 | 13th | 3rd round | 4th round | |
1981–82 | Division Two | 13 | 9 | 20 | 48 | 14th | 3rd round | 2nd round | New points system – 3 for a win |
1982–83 | Division Two | 13 | 12 | 17 | 51 | 12th | 5th round | 2nd round | |
1983–84 | Division Two | 4 | 12 | 26 | 24 | 22nd | 3rd round | 2nd round | Relegated: 22nd of 22 |
1984–85 | Division Three | 4 | 9 | 26 | 21 | 24th | 1st round | 1st round | Relegated: 24th of 24 |
1985–86 | Division Four | 15 | 9 | 22 | 54 | 22nd | 1st round | 1st round | Successful application for re-election |
1986–87 | Division Four | 17 | 11 | 10 | 62 | 11th | 2nd round | 4th round | |
1987–88 | Division Four | 16 | 13 | 17 | 61 | 15th | 2nd round | 2nd round | |
1988–89 | Division Four | 18 | 12 | 14 | 68 | 8th | 3rd round | 1st round | |
1989–90 | Division Four | 21 | 10 | 15 | 73 | 6th | QF | 2nd round | Promoted: Playoffs |
1990–91 | Division Three | 25 | 11 | 10 | 86 | 1st | QF | 1st round | Promoted: Champions |
1991–92 | Division Two | 19 | 17 | 10 | 74 | 5th | 4th round | 2nd round | Lost Playoffs v. Leicester |
1993–94 | Division Two | 19 | 9 | 18 | 66 | 10th | 2nd round | 2nd round | |
1994–95 | Division Two | 11 | 15 | 20 | 48 | 20th | 3rd round | 1st round | Relegated: 20th of 24 |
1995–96 | Division Three | 14 | 12 | 20 | 54 | 16th | 1st round | 1st round | |
1996–97 | Division Three | 18 | 11 | 17 | 65 | 10th | 2nd round | 1st round | |
1997–98 | Division Three | 14 | 18 | 14 | 60 | 16th | 2nd round | 1st round | |
1998–99 | Division Three | 23 | 12 | 11 | 81 | 2nd | 2nd round | 3rd round | Promoted: Runners-up |
1999–2000 | Division Two | 12 | 12 | 22 | 48 | 19th | 5th round | 1st round | |
2000–01 | Division Two | 14 | 11 | 21 | 53 | 19th | 2nd round | 1st round | |
2001–02[25] | Division Two | 7 | 13 | 26 | 34 | 24th | 1st round | 1st round | Relegated: 24th of 24 |
2002–03[26] | Division Three | 16 | 13 | 17 | 61 | 12th | 3rd round | 2nd round | |
2003–04[27] | Division Three | 14 | 14 | 18 | 56 | 13th | 2nd round | 1st round | |
2004–05[28] | League Two | 8 | 16 | 22 | 30[29] | 24th | 2nd round | 1st round | Relegated: 24th of 24 |
2005–06[30] | Conference | 15 | 10 | 17 | 55 | 12th | 4th QR | Ineligible | |
2006–07[31] | Conference | 15 | 10 | 21 | 55 | 17th | 4th QR | Ineligible | |
2007–08[32] | Conference | 25 | 11 | 10 | 86 | 2nd | 3rd round | Ineligible | Lost play-off final v. Exeter |
2008–09[33] | Conference | 24 | 14 | 8 | 86 | 2nd | 1st round | Ineligible | Lost play-off final v. Torquay |
2009–10[34] | Conference | 15 | 14 | 15 | 59 | 10th | 2nd round | Ineligible | |
2010–11[35] | Conference | 11 | 17 | 18 | 50 | 17th | 1st round | Ineligible | |
2011–12[36] | Conference | 19 | 14 | 13 | 71 | 9th | 1st round | Ineligible | |
2012–13[37] | Conference | 15 | 14 | 17 | 59 | 14th | 4th QR | Ineligible | |
2013–14[38] | Conference | 23 | 13 | 10 | 82 | 2nd | 2nd round | Ineligible | Promoted: Won play-off final v. Gateshead[39]
|
Updated to 4 May 2014
Football League attendances
Cambridge United played their home games for their entire period in the
Data gathered from
Notes
- The record attendance for a league match was 11,406 recorded against West Ham on 7 April 1979, although the record attendance at any Cambridge United game was 14,000 for a friendly against Chelsea in the 1970 pre-season
- Cambridge United's season high attendance has come against their fiercest rivals Peterborough United[40] on nine occasions (seasons 1970–71, 1977–78, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2000–01 and 2001–02)
See also
References
- ^ a b c Cambridge United Potted History Archived 8 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-874287-32-2.
- ^ "Fans United". Cambridge United Official Website. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Abbey sale keeps Cambridge afloat". BBC. 1 December 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- Cambridge Evening News Online. 27 June 2005. Archived from the originalon 26 September 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Cambridge to exit administration". BBC. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- Cambridge Evening News Online. 20 December 2005. Archived from the originalon 1 June 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "'Deep divisions' at Abbey Stadium". BBC. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Cambridge fans pay players' wages". BBC. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Board changes at Cambridge United". BBC. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Cambridge Utd 0-2 Torquay". BBC. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ "Cambridge Utd chairman keen to spend". BBC. 29 March 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Cambridge United FC Fixture List". Cambridge United. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Georgeson, Andrew (2 May 2018). "Joe Dunne appointed as head coach of Cambridge United on a three-year deal". cambridgenews. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Cambridge United 5-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Joe Dunne: Cambridge United sack head coach after seven months". BBC Sport. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Colin Calderwood: Cambridge United name ex-Nottingham Forest boss as head coach". BBC Sport. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "League Two Table & Standings - 2018/19". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Colin Calderwood: Cambridge United head coach extends deal until 2022". BBC Sport. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Cambridge United 0-4 Salford City". BBC Sport. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Colin Calderwood: Cambridge United part company with head coach". BBC Sport. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two clubs vote to end season early amid coronavirus pandemic". Sky Sports. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ Page, Stephen (8 May 2021). "Bonner overjoyed as Cambridge United secure promotion to League One". Cambridge News. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Mark Bonner: Cambridge United head coach signs new three-year contract". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ 2001–02 Cambridge United Match League Table[permanent dead link] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ 2002–03 Cambridge United Match League Table[permanent dead link] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ 2003–04 Cambridge United Match League Table[permanent dead link] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ League Two Final Table 2005/05 Archived 9 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine soccerstats.com. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ Deducted 10 points for entering administration
- ^ 2005–06 Cambridge United Match League Table[permanent dead link] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ 2006–07 Cambridge United Match League Table[permanent dead link] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2007.
- ^ 2007–08 Cambridge United Match League Table Archived 11 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
- ^ 2008–09 Cambridge United Match League Table cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ 2009–10 Cambridge United Match League Table cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ 2010–11 Cambridge United Match League Table cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ 2011–12 Cambridge United Match League Table Archived 5 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ 2012–13 Cambridge United Match League Table Archived 5 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ 2013–14 Cambridge United Match League Table Archived 5 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ Cambridge United 2 – 1 Gateshead bbc.com. Retrieved 19 May 2014
- ^ Club Rivalries Uncovered Archived 4 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine Football Fans Census. Retrieved 21 July 2007.