Three Cambridge United Supporters Talk To Vital Lincoln City


The last time The Imps faced today’s opponents Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium was on Saturday 29th December 2018, in front of a crowd of 6,858, including 2,273 Imps. City won 2-1 that day, having come from 1-0 down. Jabo Ibehre gave the hosts the lead in the 28th minute, but two second-half goals were enough to secure three points, with our goals scored by Neal Eardley (70′) and John Akinde (75′).

Ahead of today’s match, we have done a Q&A with three Cambridge United supporters, so thank you to Sean, Mike and Tom for answering our questions! The answers have been published on three pages. To get to the second and third set of answers, press “Click here for the next set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page.

If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Cambridge United v Lincoln City Match Thread! Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

First up, the answers provided by Sean:

How long have you supported Cambridge United?

1978.

Where did you finish last season?

Second in League Two.

What do you think of your manager?

He’s inspirational, classy and hugely admired. He doesn’t come from an ‘ex-pr’ background and describes himself as a ‘former’ Cambridge Utd fan. In interviews, he comes across as reflective, insightful, and fair. He has created a brilliant team spirit which is obvious on and off the pitch. Yes, we’re lucky to have him. An honourable mention too for the support from his backroom staff, particularly Gary Waddock and Barry Corr.

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?

Mid-table mediocrity! Seriously, I hope we can consolidate last season’s success by establishing ourselves in League One, further developing players and bringing some of our promising young talent through.

One(s) to watch?

George Williams, a summer signing from Bristol Rovers, has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite and offers great leadership on the pitch; I’m a huge fan of another summer signing Shilow Tracey (he was on loan with us last season from Spurs) who has blistering pace and is developing a good footballing brain; Joe Ironside went under the radar a little last year due to Paul Mullin’s exploits but he is the consummate team player and seems to be thriving in this higher tier. Oh, and we’ve got a certain 39-year-old Wes Hoolahan. He’s pretty good.

Which teams do you think will finish in the top six in League One?

(In no particular order) Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, MK Dons, Plymouth and Rotherham.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?

(In no particular order) Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Morecambe.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

The last time I saw Lincoln City ‘live’ was when you played Wrexham at home in the Conference. I think that was just before the era of the Cowleys. Great support and a proper football ground. Lincoln’s rise since then has been hugely impressive and reaching last year’s Play-Off finals fully deserved. Lots and lots to admire about the club on and off the field.

What do you think the score will be?

With my neck firmly stuck out, I’m going 2-1 to Cambridge.

Cambridge United (a - 11/09/21): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?

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Random fact about your Club?

Highest free-standing floodlights in the EFL (allegedly).

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Simply because I’ve seen him play for Republic of Ireland U19s I’ve always liked Anthony Scully. And I noticed he got the two goals against Fleetwood earlier this season.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Cambridge United supporter?

Proudest: Would have to be the 2-1 victory over Gateshead in the Conference Play-Off final. Obviously, that got us back into the Football League but it also seemed to mark a point where we could put lots of the bad stuff (administration, relegations, nearly losing the club) behind us.

Most embarrassing: Probably say losing 5-0 to local team Histon on their village green in the FA Trophy. Painful.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

I’d probably say Dimi Mitov, our goalkeeper. He’s gone from being good to very good. And could well get even better.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

There is the Cambridge Fans United (CFU) and Cambridge United Supporters’ Panel (CUSP). I haven’t been involved in either but main role at the moment seems to be to improve communications between the club and fans.

Which was your favourite match involving Cambridge United?

3rd January 1989 – Peterboring Utd 1 Cambridge Utd 5…need I say more?

Which was your least favourite match involving Cambridge United?

5th October 2010 – Hayes & Yeading 2 Cambridge Utd 0….awful football, awful ground, awful teams …it just seemed we’d hit some kind of depressing low and was difficult to see how we’d climb out.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Cambridge United?

Formally, I don’t think so but lots of ex-players seem to maintain connections with the club. For example, one of our long-serving players, Harrison Dunk, is in his testimonial year and there’s a golf tournament coming up with a number of ex-players attending. Oh, and a certain Dion Dublin has just joined the board.

What is the best thing about Cambridge?

There’s obviously a bit of ‘town and gown’ here but the buildings, river and wide open green spaces make it a genuinely beautiful city.

Who are your main rivals locally, Peterborough?

Yep, it’s Peterboring aka Pish every day.

Is there any rivalry with Oxford due to the University rivalry?

The so-called ‘rivalry’ with Oxford exists only in the minds of lazy journalists. There’s really nothing there. We hosted them on the opening day of this season and I didn’t notice any media reference to the ‘varsity’ match so hopefully, that tendency has gone for good.

John Beck has managed both teams. Even though it was possibly your most successful period, was he as a divisive character for you as he was for is. Success but at what cost?

John Beck…oh where to begin? After years of sometimes pretty poor Division 4 football, he came in and began what I can only describe as a footballing revolution. That approach created what we all want to see: success. And that success unified the club although one or two more individually-minded players did fall foul of him. It was wonderful. It does sometimes go under the radar too that he did have some exceptionally good players. But they had to play to a very exact plan. The stories about those days are legendary: moving the opposition dugout, ‘Quality’ signs, the length of grass in the corners, temperatures in the away team’s dressing rooms. And, as a result, we almost became founder members of the Premier League! Crazy times but I wouldn’t swap them for the world!

Beck did of course return for a second spell in 2001 and helped us to avoid relegation but Beck mark I was truly gone and I don’t remember that as being a particularly happy or successful period for the club.

And now for the answers provided by Mike:

How long have you supported Cambridge United?

Since 2003.

Where did you finish last season?

Second in League 2. Automatic promotion.

What do you think of your manager?

A breath of fresh air. Getting us promoted in his first full season in charge was beyond all our expectations. He is clearly respected by the players and comes across well in the media.

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?

We’ve made a good start. Hoping for a top-half finish and will be disappointed if we don’t achieve it.

One(s) to watch?

Wes Hoolahan (39 years young) is a terrific asset for us, Paul Digby is commanding in midfield and our new right-back George Williams has been an instant hit.

Which teams do you think will finish in the top six in League One?

Portsmouth, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Wycombe, Rotherham, Wigan.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?

Morecambe, Cheltenham, Wimbledon and Shrewsbury.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Surprised by the poor start – maybe a hangover for the disappointing end to last season – but it’s early days. Michael Appleton’s teams usually play attractive football and I’d be surprised if the Imps didn’t turn the corner soon (but not until after Saturday’s game).

What do you think the score will be?

2-1 to us.

Cambridge United (a - 11/09/21): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?

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Lose

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Random fact about your Club?

The song “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” is played on the PA system at the final whistle every time United win at the Abbey Stadium. Expect to hear it on Saturday!

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Your Dutch centre back Lewis Montsma. We’ve been unlucky with injuries to our central defenders already this season. Having one who scores goals would be a bonus!

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Cambridge United supporter?

The proudest has to be winning the Conference play-off final against Gateshead at Wembley to ensure our return to the Football League after a nine-year absence.

The most embarrassing – among a crowded field – must be losing 5-0 to local village club Histon in the FA Trophy in 2006. We were in the lower reaches of the Conference and they were in the league below us.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Central midfielder Adam May. Frequently goes under the radar, but often makes big contributions, such as when he came off the bench to score the winner at Carlisle last season.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

Cambridge Fans United is our Supporters Trust. They played a key role in saving the club from oblivion when it went into administration in 2005. They currently provide a Supporters Liaison Officer, who also sits on the Board of Directors as the Fans’ Elected Director.

Which was your favourite match involving Cambridge United?

The 0-0 draw against Manchester United in the FA Cup in 2015. We more than did ourselves proud against Louis van Gaal’s expensively assembled side, many of whom looked as if they wished to be anywhere but our cramped old stadium on a January night.

Which was your least favourite match involving Cambridge United?

To avoid repetition, it won’t be the Histon debacle. It seemed like things couldn’t get any worse after a 3-0 defeat at Hayes & Yeading in 2009 with 744 in attendance. We nearly sunk lower the following year, losing 2-0 to the same opposition in front of just 362.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Cambridge United?

We do. Former players – and one or two managers – frequently return as guests of honour at home games. Many of them were around during our centenary year in 2012.

What is the best thing about Cambridge?

Like many of the best things in this world, Cambridge is small and beautiful.

Who are your main rivals locally, Peterborough?

This season sees us in the same league as Ipswich, which hasn’t happened for ages.

They’re the closest geographically now the Luton are a league above us and Stevenage a league below.

Pish are always seen as the fiercest rivals, but we haven’t played them in a meaningful game for 20 years or more (the Football League Trophy games against them don’t count unless we win).

Is there any rivalry with Oxford due to the University rivalry?

The Varsity rivalry only exists in the minds of the media and doesn’t extend to our fixtures against Oxford. We’re separated by about 100 miles, and we’ve never considered it a derby. I don’t think Oxford do either.

John Beck has managed both teams. Even though it was possibly your most successful period, was he as a divisive character for you as he was for is. Success but at what cost?

He was divisive and controversial but, crucially he was successful, so any negatives were quietly underplayed (except by those such as Glen Hoddle, who said Beck and his methods were destroying the game. Inevitably, Beck was less successful in his second spell with us – which fans tend to have lesser memories of.

And finally, the answers provided by Tom:

How long have you supported Cambridge United?

33 years – started when I was 6!

Where did you finish last season?

2nd in League Two.

What do you think of your manager?

Great! Has taken an average team, and with a few smart additions and solid tactics got us promoted and a great start to league 1 so far. He’s young and will probably get poached if we have another good season.

What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?

Mid-table would be excellent having just come up. I am optimistic we will surprise a few and achieve that and maybe more!

One(s) to watch?

Wes Hoolahan (now aged 39 but still the best creative midfielder in the league) and Joe Ironside (hardworking striker who scored goals), but this really is a team greater than its parts.

Which teams do you think will finish in the top six in League One?

Pompey, Wednesday, Charlton, Sunderland, Wycombe and one other… hopefully, us!

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?

Crewe, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham and Morecambe.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Lots of links between the two of us, mainly John Beck and Jez George, both controversial in their own way!

What do you think the score will be?

2-1 to Cambridge.

Cambridge United (a - 11/09/21): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?

Win

Lose

Draw

CLICK TO VOTE!

Random fact about your Club?

Tallest floodlights in the country.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

TJ Eyoma (we need another defender!) probably best ask me again after Saturday!

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Cambridge United supporter?

My proudest moment was getting promoted from the Conference (eventually).

My most embarrassing was losing to Histon 5-0.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Dimi Mitov (goalkeeper).

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

CFU Cambridge Fans United have a board member and provide generally good support to the club both financially and with volunteers. Have had some stick in recent years for being too cosy with the clubs board/owner and for voting in favour of the B team cup, which many fans have boycotted.

Which was your favourite match involving Cambridge United?

The recent 1-0 win over Bolton as it was my 5-year-olds first ever game and he got to give the man of the match trophy and meet some players (start them young!).

Which was your least favourite match involving Cambridge United?

5-0 loss to Histon.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Cambridge United?

Yes, I believe so, definitely a hall of fame!

What is the best thing about Cambridge?

The architecture and friendly people.

Who are your main rivals locally, Peterborough?

Yes, although we haven’t played them in around 20 years (barring the b team cup).

Is there any rivalry with Oxford due to the University rivalry?

Not at all, really!

John Beck has managed both teams. Even though it was possibly your most successful period, was he as a divisive character for you as he was for is. Success but at what cost?

A hero in my eyes, 2 promotions, a tilt at getting to the Premier League (we lost in play-offs for the first-ever Premier League) and 2 FA Cup Quarter-Finals (when it was prestigious). He was way ahead of his time in terms of sports science, psychology etc.. shouldn’t have come back for a second stint at the club as it somewhat tarnished his legacy. At what cost? I think others enjoyed moaning about our tactics at the time, but all within the rules ;).

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