Spring Time Is the Land Awakening. the March Winds Are the Morning Yawn

March 2018

“Spring time is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”

Lewis Grizzard

Opening Evolution,

It’s been an interesting month already in a fairly undistinguished, not to say disappointing, season, given the pre-season excitement about our prospects. Many of our summer signings failed to live up to our expectations and Shaun Derry never quite lived up to the promise of his first half season. Indeed, when Joe Dunne took over there were very real fears of a relegation fight. Every season there is a side which suddenly plummets into the danger zone. Grimsby fans will certainly bear witness to that.

It is a testament to our improvement that the home defeat to Swindon came as a bit of a shock, the diamond being overwhelmed by a midfield four and what we’ve all come to recognise as ‘new manager syndrome’.

There is no doubt that the team is playing with more flair and purpose, giving a good account of themselves against the division’s best teams. Goals scored deep into time added on show that this Cambridge side keep going right to the end. Our fans will tolerate lack of ability but never lack of effort. Not surprisingly, the relationship between the team and the fans has improved no end and their goal scoring celebrations have clearly shown that. Joe claims that he is doing nothing different to what Shaun Derry had been doing. He is a modest man, but it is obvious that problems behind the scenes affected the confidence and performance of the team. As the club continues to readjust, it is clear that re-engaging with the fans is a priority for the club, which is now run in a more collegiate way. One hopes that rumours circulating amongst fans will be dispelled at next month’s Shareholders’ Meeting. What is certain, however, is that Paul Barry is a fan and, as such, is committed to real transparency. As a successful businessman, he is also committed to running the club as efficiently as possible, recognising that, well supported as we are, we are a League Two side – ambitious for promotion admittedly – and the club needs to be run accordingly.

Accrington Stanley has shown what is possible on a much lower budget when the team, the manager and the fans are in close accord. That must be our ambition whilst seeking to develop a stadium which serves the community, and which brings in income all year round.

The rest of the season will see some experimentation within the first team as preparation for next year. At the end of the season we will see whether Joe Dunne has done enough to earn the job permanently or, indeed, whether he would accept it. We won’t make the play offs but our last few games promise to be very interesting.

Hall of Fame Evening

Over the years I have heard a great many people say how many former United players end up living in Cambridge. Many openly declare their love for the club and often say that their years spent here were the happiest of their careers. We are particularly lucky that Coconuts devote so much energy and time to fostering our links with former players, gradually inducting those who have served the club with distinction into the Cambridge United Hall of Fame.

The latest six were an interesting mixture of United legends, all of whom are clearly worthy of the honour. Wilf Mannion is, I think, universally recognised as the greatest player ever to wear our shirt. It sometimes seems that fate conspired for him to be playing for us just at the time when our ambitions were beginning to grow. Bill Leivers undoubtedly amazed and delighted fans by promising and delivering promotion to the Football League – a very different kind of three-year project. I haven’t forgiven him yet for not giving Rodney Slack, a quite fantastic goalkeeper, the chance he so well deserved to play in the Football League. However, because of him, I got to see Butcher, Cassidy, Eades, Hardy, Leggat, George Harris, and the others, in a team which terrorised the Southern League and which played with such style in our first few years in the League.

Richard Money took us back into the League and led us to two Wembley triumphs in a year, after we had suffered two heartbreaking defeats during our years in exile from the Football League. I was glad that we were connected by video link. I think I am still a little afraid of his death stare.

Most interesting recipient of the award, I thought, was Dudley Arliss, who raised millions through his innovative and hugely successful lottery scheme.Games are won on the pitch by gifted and committed players and inspired management. But the way a club is led and structured is just as vital. Without the revolution Dudley Arliss accomplished in the club’s commercial operation, Cambridge could not have afforded its rise into the Football League.

Alan Biley and Shaggy Taylor would be among my first choices for any United Hall of Fame. Alan Biley was the best player I ever saw in a Cambridge shirt. He could score goals even when the team were struggling, as sure a sign of class as there could be. He was full of praise for United and its fans, saying that without the club he wouldn’t have a career. He was generous in his praise, too, of Steve Fallon who deserved to go into higher things but stayed loyal to the club. Shaggy scored hatfulls of memorable goals for the U’s in more recent years. He was an inspirationand I remember his performance at Nottingham Forest in particular when he led us to a 3-3 draw after we had been 3-0 down. He was overcome by emotion after accepting his award, explaining his continuing love for the club and that he had given everything for it. Fans always recognise that in a player and love them in return. He told me that he would come and play walking football with us one of these days. We would be honoured.

It was delightful to share a room with our heroes and we were fortunate to share a table with Andy Sinton, a lovely man who played at the highest level. He remains humble despite his achievements and was great company.

Another great evening,Pat Morgan. Thank you and more please!

View from the Habbin

Luton Town March 3rd

Despite the worst that the Beast from the East could throw at this part of East Anglia, groundsman Ian Darler and his magnificent team of volunteers did the almost impossible and gave a pitch to play football on at the Abbey stadium. On Friday night 4 inches of snow covered my garden. No chance I thought, but what a Herculean effort by all.

So with only a handful of games in the entire country, the small matter of playing league leaders Luton Town would be today’s task, it was to be quite a game. Just short of 6800 including an impressive 2400 from near neighbours Luton, braved the cold, as both teams set about the business of the day. Of course it was only a few short months ago that we lost 7-0 at Luton, so we really needed no incentive today.

The U’s kicked off and had the leaders pinned back for the opening minutes with Ikpeazu hoping to profit from a defensive mistake, but the ball was cleared. Ikpeazu who was making his physical presence tell then laid on a chance for Elito but again defences were on top and the chance was gone. Visiting keeper Stech then dropped simple crosses twice. As Ikpeazu closed on for the kill, the keeper picked up. Third time lucky. Deegan then shot at goal, but the ball took a deflection which slowed the shot into the grateful arms of Stech. Former U, Luke Berry was almost through after clever play by prima ballerina Danny Hylton, but the ball ran away from him. The leaders were getting into the game.

Stech then flapped at another cross but as Ikpeazu clashed with the keeper the inevitable free kick followed. Deegan was letting Berry know he was in town with a couple of hard tackles. Luke did not react well and for the first of several moans complained to the referee. Luke did look a little on the bulky side, was it all muscle? Luton’s D’Ath then tried to impede the barnstorming bulldozer but hurt himself in the process. He limped around for a few moments before being subbed by Luke Gambin. Halliday then fouled Downes and was booked. The free kick came to nothing. Suddenly Luton went through the gears and it was easy to see why they sit at the top. In Hylton and Collins they have good quality strikers and Berry was finding his passing feet. Gambin was making his presence felt and cracked a shot across goal which hit the outside of the post. That was close. So after their early slumbers the visitors were finding their men and after 32 minutes Luton fashioned a goal from nothing. Hylton hit a cross shot which home keeper Forde got down to parry at full stretch but Collins was lurking at the near post to force home from 6 yards. 1-0 to the Hatters. Deegan then crunched Berry again, the skipper picking up a yellow whilst Berry got up to complain to the referee once more. Then just as it looked as if Berry had made it 2-0 Referee John Brooks saw a handball by Hylton and the goal was disallowed. Hylton then stabbed a shot just wide before a late chance from Jevani Brown nearly brought an equaliser. The first half finished 1-0 to the leaders who had taken a real grip on the game.

Luton were at it again putting the home team under pressure with Taft clearing following a through ball. Berry went down in the area following another challenge from Deegan. The referee was not impressed, Berry making himself more unpopular by chirping in the ear of the referee. This time earning a telling off. Then Luton started the rough stuff with first Downes cutting down Elito who was at full speed. A yellow for the Luton man. Collins then missed a sitter from a cross, 2-0 now would make it very tough. Collins was to feature more in the game later. Waters then set up the impressive Halliday whose daisy-cutter didn’t really bother Stech. Then the expected change came midway through the second half with George Maris and David Amoo coming on for O’Neil and the unlucky Elito.

Prima ballerina Hylton tried his dying swan trick on the edge of the box. He seemed to injure himself and soon left the action and was replaced by Jake Jervis. Potts then missed a chance to finish the game by heading wide from close range. Rea who was being given the run-around by Amoo, lost the ball, Amoo to Waters to Ikpeazu who shot so high I understand that NASA were tracking the shot which would probably end up in Barton Bendish in darkest Norfolk. Then some blatant cheating from the gifted Collins who tried to punch the ball in following a cross. The punch missed, and the cheat picked up a yellow, oh how costly. Moments later the referee gave Cambridge a corner when it looked like a goal kick. The corner came to nothing, but Collins in trying to berate the referee earned a second yellow and a red. Plain daft. That’s cost you 2 weeks wages, mate. Potts was trying to equal Collins and hacked down Amoo twice in quick succession, the second earning a yellow for the visitors who had lost their heads. Ibhere came on for Waters as the clock ticked on and the U’s were swarming over the visitors who were resorting to clear-it-anywhere time. Brown went close with a curling shot and Ikpeazu was trying to beat Luton by himself. Once Dunk was unmarked and another time Amoo was by himself. Then following lots of pressure Halliday chipped the ball into the area and Ibhere headed home from 6 yards: 1-1 then.

Cambridge were now completely on top and first Ibhere then Maris had snap shots charged down. Amoo blasted wide when well placed. Luton were feeling the pace and with 4 minutes added on Ikpeazu had the last chance holding off tackles to fire into the corner with keeper Stech pulling off a fine save at full stretch. So the game finished 1-1 with the U’s enjoying their best moments at the start and end of the game. Luton, who will get promoted, played some fine stuff but when Collins pressed the self destruct button, he left his mates in the lurch.

Ian Darler and the ground staff were made man of the match. With 50% each possession a draw was a fair result. Caretaker Manager Joe Dunne has installed self belief into his team who never gave up today. Great entertainment on a day not meant for football. Great job, Ian Darler.

Ratings

Forde - 6, busier than usual at home games, made some fine saves but no chance with the goal.

Halliday - 8, great performance by Brad both in defence and supporting the attack. Team of the week candidate.

Dunk -6, not sure if playing left back then left wing is asking too much of him, but a fine player who keeps putting a good shift in.

Taylor - 7. Like the rest of the defence kept busy by talented opponents. Never let up and is doing a great job at the back.

Taft -6, given a hard time by Collins and Hylton but stuck to his task well. Can show more composure though when under pressure.

Deegan -6, made his presence felt in the middle but not always within the law. Picked up a yellow but made some terrific tackles, guilty though of being caught in possession a couple of times.

Elito -6, getting back to his best form, made several telling runs but frequently had to drop back to help out in defence.

O’Neil -6, enjoying a fine run in the team but limited opportunities today as he helped out in defence so often. Improving all the time though.

Waters - 7, a fine performance indeed and sacrificed for the team. Never stops running and threatened particularly in the first half.

Brown - 6, in and out game for the new playmaker. Good start and instrumental at the end. Like others had to defend doggedly at times.

Ikpeazu -7, the big man harried all day and was a constant menace. Shooting was a bit wayward, but Luton found it tough to get the ball off him. Would benefit playing alongside Barry Corr.

Subs

Maris -7, as expected made a big difference when he came on. Got involved in the midfield battle and could have scored right at the death

Amoo -7, made his usual impact as he takes defenders on before making those important crosses count. Can he do it for 90 minutes now?

Ibhere -6, great header earned a point and it was a huge boost to have him back on the bench following a long layoff. Minutes on the pitch will help him return to his best.

Referee. John Brooks - 7 although I thought he gave too many soft free kicks early in the game. He really stepped up when the going got tough.

Swindon Town March 17th

The Abbey stadium felt more like Siberia in absolute freezing weather with a bitterly cold wind greeting players and spectators as the Ambers took on Swindon Town, now under the management of the likeable Phil Brown who was recently appointed. United had an attacking look about them but theRobins of Swindon who normally play in red decided that green would be the order of the day. Former U James Dunne lined up for the visitors, I would have liked him in our line up this season.

Before the game there was a minute’s applause for the late Professor Stephen Hawking, a truly wonderful person with a brilliant mind, and of course a Cambridge resident. The game kicked off in squally snow showers as both sides tested each other. A decent crowd of around 5200 including an impressive 500 odd from the West Country would need good entertainment to keep warm!! An early Maris corner for the home side found O’Neil but the shot was blocked. Halliday fired in another effort with visiting keeper Moore pulling off a save. The visitors shouted for a penalty when the ball struck Taft, but it looked unintentional. Jevani Brown then shot wide when well placed. Goal kicks for visiting keeper Moore were causing him problems but the swirling wind was to blame much to the amusement of home fans.

Out of nothing really the visitors took the lead on 15 minutes with the help of some generous defending. Full back Hussey had an age to run down the Left wing and cross for Luke Norris to head home from six yards with the United centre backs going AWOL. In fact I think that keeper Forde should have come for the cross. A very poor goal to concede 0-1. Referee Swabey appeared easily influenced by visiting players falling down rather too easily and the game became littered with far too many soft free kicks which was breaking up play too often. Another Norris header from close in found home keeper Forde but where were our centre halves once again?!!!