Nobody wins unless everybody wins...
Cambridge United
A Fresh Start - Out Of Administration
22-Jul-2005
From the Official Cambridge United web site:
Cambridge United's exit from administration was confirmed this morning by Ian Carr of Grant Thornton.
Legal steps at the Courts in London were completed late yesterday afternoon but could not be confirmed earlier due to the bomb alerts affecting the capital.
Finance Director Nick Pomery was delighted at the news: 'This is the final step in what has been a difficult and, at times tortuous process. Now we can start the club again with a clean slate.
'We are not under any illusions as to how hard the rebuilding process will be - we still need to develop a balanced budget and find ways to increase the amount of money available to Rob (Newman) for the first team squad - but the first step has been taken on the road to recovery.
'The directors will be pushing on with planning for the future of the club at our Board meeting on Monday.'
Financially the club is almost ready for the new season, but Pomery asked for one more helping hand from fans.
'We need a final fund-raising effort to make the club fully secure for this season and the easiest way to do this would be to get a decent crowd at the match at the Abbey Stadium against Northampton Town on 30th July.
'So please, if you can, come along to the match to enjoy what should be a good football test for the U's against our local rivals, and at the same time finish the job of getting our finances in order for the new season.'
Fans' elected director Brian Attmore, who has taken over responsibility for community and marketing at the club, was equally pleased. 'This is fantastic news! The last few months have been a nightmare for everyone at the club and all of our fans.
'Now we have a chance to start moving in the right direction, rebuilding the spirit in and around the club, working with the supporters and returning the club to its roots in the Sixties and Seventies when the fans getting stuck in to help the club made a massive contribution to our rise up the leagues.'
Attmore said the club was planning a few events over the next few weeks to celebrate its survival. 'We have one or two ideas we are working on and we will be publicising them shortly.'
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Cambridge stave off liquidation
27-Jun-2005
From the BBC:
Cambridge have won a reprieve from the threat of liquidation following talks with the Inland Revenue. Relegation from League Two saw the club fall into administration and left them with a £500,000 Inland Revenue debt.
But following talks brokered by Sports Minister Richard Caborn, the Inland Revenue has agreed not to vote against a Company Voluntary Agreement.
'We're looking at three weeks to exit administration,' U's finance director Nick Pomery told the club's website.
A creditors' meeting is now planned for mid-July.
'This was the best were ever going to get and frankly I'm chuffed to bits,' added Pomery.
'we still need to raise more money to get through the close season and to fund the CVA, and we still need to balance the budget, which we haven't succeeded in doing yet, and we need to allow Rob Newman to get a squad together.
'At least this gives us a fighting chance. We're not dead, which we would have been if we hadn't got this agreement.'
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U's are in 'precarious position'
21-Jun-2005
From the BBC:
Cambridge United are waiting to find out if they can take their place in the Conference, while their administrators try to strike a deal with creditors.
If a deal is not reached, it could mean a reprieve for relegated Farnborough.
Conference chief executive John Moules has admitted to BBC Sport that the U's are in a 'precarious position'.
He added: 'We're working with Cambridge United and all relevant parties. We've not set any deadlines and will try and help them take their rightful place.'
Meanwhile, the Conference is to unveil its fixtures for the new season on Thursday, 30 June.
The fixtures had been expected to come out at the same time as the Football League schedule on 23 June, but will now appear a week later - and it remains to be seen whether Cambridge will be included in the Conference National fixtures.
If Cambridge are not permitted to play in the Conference, it could be to the relief of Farnborough - who finished second from bottom last season.
Forest Green Rovers have already been spared after Northwich Victoria were relegated over problems with their new ground and Conference membership.
And after no clubs were relegated at the end of the 2003/04 season, Moules admits it is not an ideal situation for the league.
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A Start, Not An End
23-May-2005
From Cambridge Fans United
CFU would like to thank everyone who, in little more than a week, helped reach the target set by the Administrator of raising £40,000 by Friday 20th May. Achieving this total was critical to the club's survival. It was the first of many tests and hurdles that Cambridge United will have to pass during the next 2 months.
Grant Thornton and Nick Pomery met with the Football Association on Friday afternoon, and were able to demonstrate to the FA that the club is making good progress in putting the finances straight ready for the new season.
Financial tests will now come at regular intervals, each one needing to be passed and each one being as important as the previous one.
One important date will be in early June when Grant Thornton will put a package to the clubs creditors on behalf of Cambridge United. These will need to be acceptable and fair in order to obtain agreement from the creditors.
We would also like to thank the media for their continuing support in allowing CFU to send out the latest news, keeping everyone informed about progress.
During the past month, the direction of Cambridge United has changed with Nick and Justyn Medd joining the board. Soon, more changes will take place with Gary Harwood and Gerald Lowe standing down. We are now starting to reclaim the club on behalf of the supporters and really shape it's future. This is our only chance to take that opportunity and prove we are up to the challenges that lay ahead.
Friday was a start, not an end. Season ticket sales have started well, with over 260 sold by Friday night. And we already have pledges for investments which will cover half of July's running costs, although we still need to find a further £50,000. We have come a long way, but cannot afford to be complacent and fail at the final hurdle.
Please carry on supporting United. You can join CFU, sponsor a seat or donate online at www.helpcfu.co.uk, by sending a cheque to PO BOX 447, Cambridge, CB3 8ZX or calling CFU on 07957 344005.
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Large Donations Required by May 20th
12-May-2005
Cambridge United need to raise £40,000 by next Friday when the administrators will decide if the club has a future or not. So far supporters and individuals have been really generous, but now we need to start raising larger amounts quickly.
CFU are looking for substantial donations of three or four figures during the next 10 days.
It will take either 400 supporters donating 100 pounds, 160 supporters donating 250 pounds or 40 people giving 1,000 pounds each. However, whatever combination it takes to raise the money it needs to be done now.
All donors of over 100 pounds will have their name put on a seat in the Directors Box at the Abbey.
If you are able to donate, please contact us if you want your club to survive. Your money will not be used unless it is needed and if everything else fails it will be returned.
CFU will be holding the your money not CUFC. We need to have proof of funds in the CFU bank account next Friday.
If you would like to donate please contact us by telephone on 07957 344005 or by email on info@cambridgefansunited.org, or donate directly via PayPal at www.helpcfu.co.uk.
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Cambridge file for administration
29-Apr-2005
From the BBC:
League Two side Cambridge United have filed for administration after incurring debts approaching £1m.
The U's took the decision after a review of their financial situation with insolvency experts Grant Thornton.
'The club has liabilities of around £900,000 and assets which are in no way sufficient to meet them,' club finance director Nick Pomery told the website.
'Our relegation to the Conference means it is not feasible these debts can be paid off by trading profitably.'
He added: 'We therefore have no choice but to file for administration.'
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Fans United Day is a Tremendous Success
19-Mar-2005
The Fans United Day at the Abbey was a tremendous success, and CFU would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the fans of clubs from around the country that came to the game in their club colours, showing their support for Cambridge United's plight.

Fans representing Brighton, Wrexham, Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough, QPR, Reading, Sunderland, Derby, Boston, West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal, AS Roma, Havant & Waterlooville, AFC Wimbledon, Lincoln, Luton, West Brom, Blackburn, Yeovil, Fulham, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Leicester, Stockport, Notts County and many more swelled the Abbey Stadium crowd to almost 5,000, creating a tremendous atmosphere.
Exclusive t-shirts, wristbands and fanzines were on sale before the game. CFU extends its thanks to the volunteers that helped to sell those, to the fans that bought them, and to the volunteers that shook buckets around the stadium before, during and after the match. All profits will go towards CFU's efforts to secure the future of professional football at the Abbey Stadium.
Full list of clubs that were represented:
- Sheffield Utd
- Brighton
- Bolton
- Norwich
- Ipswich
- Arsenal
- Tottenham
- Wrexham
- Leicester, Crewe
- Maccabi Haifa
- Leeds Utd
- Leyton Orient
- Reading
- Paris Saint Germain
- Aldershot
- Wigan
- Sunderland
- Dundee
- Westfield FC
- Southampton
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Glasgow Rangers
- Lincoln City
- Tranmere
- Everton
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Derby
- Barcelona
- Blackburn
- Queens Park Rangers
- Dulwich Hamlets
- Flamengo
- Stockport County
- Liverpool
- West Ham
- Stoke
- Schalke
- Boston
- Millwall
- Glasgow Celtic
- Kings Lynn
- Manchester City
- Juventus
- Hull City
- Chelsea
- Notts County
- AFC Wimbledon
- Nottingham Forest
- Crystal Palace
- Sparta Prague
- Partick Thistle
- AS Roma
- York City
- AFC Bournemouth
- Burnley
- Manchester Utd
- Sao Paulo
- Middlesbrough
- Coventry
- Fulham
- Peterborough
- Bristol City
- Swansea
- Cardiff
- Torquay
- Yeovil
- West Bromwich Albion
- Havant & Waterlooville
- Newcastle
- Borussia Dortmund
- Plymouth Argyle
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Aston Villa
- Luton
- Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- Doncaster Rovers
- Gillingham
- West Row Gunners
- Real Madrid
- Wycombe...
Other football tops spotted included: Japan, Croatia, South Korea, Venezuala, Cameroon, New Zealand, Ireland and East Germany.
================== Previously ==============
Football Fans United In Endeavour
Saturday 19th March 2005, 3pm
Cambridge United v Wycombe Wanderers
Abbey Stadium, Cambridge
Update: United in Endeavour to release national fanzine
Cambridge United fanzine United in Endeavour will be sold around football grounds from the 18th March onwards. The main aims of the fanzine are to raise money for supporter's trust, CFU (who receive 100% of the fanzine's profits) and to raise awareness of the plight of Cambridge, and fellow struggling clubs. The editorial team tells us:
'These are very crucial times for Cambridge United, and their survival. If we are to have a future, we need every fan from every club to throw their weight behind this campaign, and to buy their copy of the fanzine. The fanzines will be on sale for £1 around the grounds and in the club shops of other teams, from the Premiership to The Ryman League, and Plymouth to Middlesbrough. People can also mail order a copy online, if their club is not selling the fanzines, by visiting www.cambridgeunited.tk and following the instructions.
'This issue is different to a usual issue of United in Endeavour. Not only is it being sold on a much larger scale than usual, but it also takes a look at other clubs as well as other issues in football today. All of the profits are given directly to supporter's trust CFU, so your pound will go far'

Cambridge Fans United, the Cambridge United supporters' trust, are inviting all football fans to the Abbey Stadium for Cambridge United's League 2 match against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 19th March, kick off 3.00pm. Fans from all over the country are being invited to attend the game in a bid to raise some funds for the cash strapped U's as well as to show solidarity with other financially troubled clubs.
The club are struggling on and off the pitch. They currently sit 92nd in the Football League, facing relegation to the Nationwide Conference and the loss of vital grants from the Football League. On the financial front, the club is in dire straits, facing the prospect of not being able to pay its employees beyond the end of February. The supporters trust have set out to raise £500,000 to keep the troubled club alive over the next six months.
Directors of the League 2 strugglers sold The Abbey Stadium in November 2004 for £1.9 million to fellow director John Howard's company Bideawhile to clear debts and to provide working capital for the club. Originally fans were told the money would last for 26 months, but just two months later, the money has run out - largely the result of gross financial misjudgement and a lack of prudence in general over the last three years.
Previous Fans United events have been organised by Brighton, Doncaster and most recently Wrexham when all of these clubs have been in dire financial positions. Such days have been a significant boost to these clubs and are one important reason why all are still in existence today. However, not all clubs have been so lucky. Maidstone, Airdrie, Clydebank and Telford have all gone out of business and they will not be the last. CFU are determined to ensure that Cambridge United will not be next on the list.
Football Fans United in Endeavour co-organiser and Cambridge fan Scott Hilsden said, 'As soon as the news broke about the clubs financial situation broke fans from Wrexham and Brighton started to organise a trip to The Abbey and fans suggested on the club's official message board that we looked into holding a Fans United Day. The support from other club's has been heartening and we hope to have a fantastic day with as many football fans as possible cheering the U's on.'
CFU Chair Dave Matthews Jones is also in full support of the Fans United day, saying 'The fans are the future of the club, and initiatives such as this prove just that. We will be working flat out to save this club for the fans of tomorrow.'
Fans that can't attend are invited to send a shirt, scarf or pendant of their club to CFU. For further information, please e-mail
info@cambridgefansunited.org, call 07957 344005 or visit the website at
www.cambridgefansunited.org.
If you would like to send a shirt scarf or banner please send to
CFU, PO Box 447, Cambridge, CB3 8ZXNotes to editors:For further information, please contact one of the following:
Scott Hilsden, footballfansuie@hotmail.co.uk
Ben Yelton, 07855 348578, benyelton@yahoo.co.uk
CFU, 07957 344005, info@cambridgefansunited.org
For background information:
www.cambridge-united.co.ukwww.cambridgefansunited.orgwww.clubsincrisis.comCambridge Fans United was formed with three aims - to help Cambridge United Football Club, to help the Cambridge community and to help the fans. In legal terms, it is an Industrial and Provident Society - like the Co-op - and is fully democratic and non-profit making. All the funds raised by the organisation will be put to the football club and community use, but the main aim is to help raise the necessary funds to re-build the Abbey Stadium. The organisation enjoys the support of the Board of Directors of the Club, though is totally independent of it.
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Twenty Days to Save the U's
09-Feb-2005Cambridge Fans United today launched an appeal to save Cambridge United following the supporters' open meeting on Monday night.
David Matthew Jones, Chairman of CFU, said: 'The situation facing the Club on the pitch is very serious. Off the pitch it is critical. The immediate challenge is to ensure that Cambridge United still exists as a football club on March 1. That is why we are launching our appeal today. We are guided by one principle and one principle alone - to protect the long term future of Cambridge United Football Club.'
The Board of Directors announced at the Club's Annual General Meeting 10 days ago that the Club needs to raise £300,000 by the end of this month to ensure its continued survival at the end of this month and another £300,000 by the end of the season. Dr Hon, a Director of the club, has announced he is looking at the possibility of providing funds until the end of the season. CFU believes that alternative funding has to be in place should Dr Hon's bid not go forward so the Club does not find itself in the position where there is no other option but to fold at the end of this month.
Mr Matthews Jones added, 'The fans are grateful for Dr Hon's interest in providing possible financial support to the Club. We also know that Dr Hon's team are still in the process of reviewing legal and financial information from the club, and it may well be that this review turns up details which prevent Dr Hon from proceeding with his offer.
'Concern was also raised at the meeting about one individual or company, however well-intentioned, having overall control of the club - something which has never happened in the history of Cambridge United.
'For both these reasons the supporters at Monday night's meeting felt very strongly that CFU should take any steps possible to develop an alternative, back-up plan to transform the club into a community club.
'CFU fund-raising will start with bucket collections at this Saturday's home game against Macclesfield, and we would urge every past and present fan to find a way to get to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday, to support the team and support CFU in our respective campaigns.
'In the meantime we will continue to talk to all parties over the next fortnight to try and find the best way forward. Any decisions we take will be guided by what we believe will be in the best long term interest of Cambridge United FC.'
Anyone able to help the Trust in its bid to save United, with a donation, sponsorship or by helping out, is asked to contact CFU urgently on: 07957 344005.
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Will The Last One to Leave Please Turn Off The Lights29-Jan-2005
FANS TO BE GIVEN HARD HITTING LEAFLET AT THE KIDDERMINISTER GAME, SPELLING OUT THE THREAT TO THE CLUB
All fans at the Kidderminster Game today at the Abbey Stadium will be given a leaflet by Cambridge Fans United setting out the precarious financial position the Club is in and calling on them to support their plans to establish the Cambridge Community Stadium Trust as a way of guaranteeing professional football in the City.
Cambridge United are currently bottom of the Division 2 and in danger of relegation to the Nationwide Conference. If that happens the Chairman Gary Harwood has said publicly that Cambridge United would not be able to survive. They play Kidderminster today who are one place above them.
Mark Saywell of Cambridge Fans United said
'It is possible that both clubs playing today could be relegated. Supporters of both clubs passionately hope that is not the case. But there is one very big difference between us. If Kidderminster go down they will still be playing football next season. If Cambridge United go down then the Club will fold.
'The hard hitting leaflet we are giving fans today aims to make that reality clear to supporters. We need them to support our vision of a Community Stadium Trust - run for the Club, for the community and not for profit. It is the way we can guarantee professional football in the city next season but we need help now.
'We need to raise around £2m in loans to buy the stadium back and £100,000 in capital to set up the Trust. We need fans to support the fund-raising activities we will be running in the coming weeks. More importantly we need the fans to run events themselves. These are critical times for Cambridge United on and off the pitch and we need to be united to get through them.'
For more information concerning this press release please ring Godric Smith 07771 811344
Dave Matthews-Jones 07703 274034
Justyn Medd 07703 534465
Mark Saywell 07812 132111
Contact us by e mail info@cambridgefansunited.org or ring 07957 344005
Editor Notes. Cambridge Fans United was formed with three aims - to help Cambridge United Football Club, to help the Cambridge community and to help the fans. In legal terms, it is an Industrial and Provident Society - like the Co-op - and is fully democratic and non-profit making. All the funds raised by the organisation will be put to the football club and community use, but the main aim is to help raise the necessary funds to re-build the Abbey Stadium. The organisation enjoys the support of the Board of Directors of the Club, though is totally independent of it.
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100 Days To Save Cambridge United28-Jan-2005
'100 DAYS TO SAVE CAMBRIDGE UNITED' AS FANS LAUNCH PLAN TO BUY BACK THE ABBEY STADIUM
FANS APPEAL TO LOCAL BUSINESS TO SUPPORT THEIR VISION
Cambridge Fans United today published their 30 page prospectus for the Cambridge Community Stadium Trust, their plan to buy back the Abbey Stadium from the property development company - Bideawhile. The vision set out in the prospectus is for an Abbey Stadium that is more than just a football ground and a Cambridge United that is more than just a football club - somewhere not just for football but a range of different community services.
Publication comes on the eve of Cambridge United's game with Kidderminster Harriers - bottom playing second bottom of Division 2. Cambridge United are currently seven points from safety. It is one of the biggest games in the Club's history.
Spokesman Nick Pomery said
'These are critical times on the pitch. They are even more critical off it. The Chairman of Cambridge United, Gary Harwood, has said that if we are relegated survival in the Conference would be 'an impossible task' and 'the beginning of the end'. Even if United avoid relegation the Directors have confirmed that money from the ground sale runs out by May. There are exactly 100 days to the end of the season - 100 days left to save Cambridge United and put in place a plan to ensure that professional football can continue in the city.
'Both teams playing at the Abbey Stadium tomorrow could be relegated to the Conference. But there is a fundamental difference between them. If relegation happens to Kidderminster they will still be playing football next season. As things stand Cambridge United will not as the Club will have folded.
'We cannot let that happen. The vision we are putting forward today would start to secure the future of the Club and lead to it becoming a hub for community activities. The Abbey Stadium is sited in the poorest part of a thriving city. This is an exciting opportunity to develop new opportunities for the people living in this area.
'A football club is not a charity, so we are not asking people to give to the Club, rather to loan money to a Community Trust against the security of the ground and receive interest from the Trust on that loan. To have a future we believe the football club must be treated and run like a business.
'We are pleased that the Directors have now taken up our proposals for a community stadium. But to be successful it needs to be run by an inclusive Community Trust not by the Club's Board. Equally no matter how sensible it might be to talk about groundsharing a Club that does not exist cannot share a ground.
'We hope the scheme can appeal to football and non football fans alike. Cambridge is a thriving and prosperous city. It is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Relegation for Cambridge United would be painful, but the death of the city's football Club would be unthinkable.'
The BackgroundThe Abbey Stadium was sold at the end of last year to the property development company Bideawhile for £1.9m. £1.6m went on repaying debts run up in the previous four years. The balance will run out by May. There is a £200,000 lease agreement for the next 50 years, personally guaranteed by the Board of Directors. Until that personal guarantee is removed it will be very difficult to attract any extra investment into the Club and a change of direction from the Board.
The VisionThe vision is to establish a not-for-profit Community Stadium Trust that would guarantee professional football in the city and act as a focal point for the development of new community facilities and services. CFU does not believe the Abbey Stadium should be remote from the local community - used only on match days. Rather we believe it should be an integral part of it. The Abbey Ward is the only ward in Cambridge in the top 10% of deprivation in the Eastern Region so there is the opportunity and responsibility for Cambridge United to play a role in its regeneration.
What we need to doWe need to raise at least £2m in loans to try to buy Bideawhile and around £100,000 as equity to set up the Trust. The loans would be secured against the asset of the 6 acre stadium site which is worth considerably more than £2m. The loans would pay interest and return part of the capital loaned every year.
Why this proposal can have wide appeal1) We are not asking for charity. We are asking individuals and businesses to lend and not to give
2) We are not asking for interest free loans. We are offering interest on the amounts lent, and the loans will be secured against the asset represented by the Stadium
3) You don't have to be a football fan to support this. We are presenting a new vision of a community club helping the poorest part of Cambridge
4) We are seeking to guarantee professional football in Cambridge
For more information concerning this press release please ring Godric Smith 07771 811344
Dave Matthews-Jones 07703 274034
Justyn Medd 07703 534465
Mark Saywell 07812 132111
Contact us by e mail info@cambridgefansunited.org or ring 07957 344005
Editor Notes. Cambridge Fans United was formed with three aims - to help Cambridge United Football Club, to help the Cambridge community and to help the fans. In legal terms, it is an Industrial and Provident Society - like the Co-op - and is fully democratic and non-profit making. All the funds raised by the organisation will be put to the football club and community use, but the main aim is to help raise the necessary funds to re-build the Abbey Stadium. The organisation enjoys the support of the Board of Directors of the Club, though is totally independent of it.
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Stadium is safe- For now23-Dec-2003
Cambridge's future has been secured for another year after chairman Gary Harwood revealed the short-term loan has been paid.
Harwood stated 'The last few months have been some of the most difficult I have been through in my entire career. But with Cambridge Fans United (CFU) who raised nearly £100,000 in recent weeks,- Cambridge finally have their house in order - for the time being at least.
Harwood added: I can't put into words how delighted I am with the supporters' response Our combined target was to not only raise the £585,000 needed to repay the loan but to also generate working capital to help fund the club's ongoing losses. 'This has been a tremendous effort and our loyal fans have demonstrated how important the club is to them, to the community and to the city of Cambridge. Many of them have worked tirelessly throughout the last five weeks and my thanks go out to all supporters who have played their part in the appeal.'
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Cambridge United have just two weeks to secure the future of the club by raising a further £59,000.
United has until 22 December to repay a £585,000 loan taken out to cover money lost after the collapse of ITV Digital.
The club have now turned to the fan's to try and bridge the £100,000 shortfall in its repayment.
Since 15 November Cambridge Fans United (CFU) has raised £41,000, but time is running out for the Third Division club.
Nick Pomery, chairman of CFU told the group's website: 'If the loan is not repaid on 22 December then penalty interest and charges will become payable, charges club chairman Gary Harwood has confirmed the club cannot afford to pay.
The lender will also be able to appoint an agent, at the club's expense, to make sure those charges are paid. If the money can't be found then the agent can look to sell the club's main asset, the ground, to recover the funds. If this happens, the city will lose its league football club and that would be a disaster and a scandal for a city like Cambridge.'
The fans have arranged a number of fundraising events to help the situation and have set up its own appeal website.
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17-11-02
Local supporters' trust Cambridge Fans United today launched the 'Bridge the Gap' appeal, aiming to raise £100,000 in capital for Cambridge United in just five weeks.
United Chairman Gary Harwood confirmed at last week's Fans Forum that the club are making progress toward raising the money to repay a loan due in late December and to cover working capital for the club. Now CFU, the fans' cooperative, have declared their aim to raise £100,000 toward the loan repayment, due on December 22nd.
CFU Chairman Nick Pomery said, 'We have been in contact with the Board for many weeks concerning the club's financial position. Gary and his fellow directors are taking steps to provide the funding needed by the club; however, they cannot quite cover the whole amount needed, and have asked if CFU can help bridge the gap, which is around £100,000. Cambridge Fans United are very happy to take up this challenge - ensuring the financial stability of the city's football club is one of CFU's main goals.'
The redevelopment announced a few weeks ago is expected to make the club financially viable in the long term, but to take advantage of that opportunity the club must maintain its financial health through the eighteen month period thought to be required for planning, tendering and building the scheme. Redevelopment funding is available subject to planning permission, but is likely to be ring-fenced by the banks, so the money needed to meet playing costs in the meanwhile must be found elsewhere.
Pomery continued 'Cambridge United is an essential part of Cambridge life, at least as much for the support it provides to local youngsters through the Youth Development scheme and Football in the Community as for the pleasure - and occasionally frustration - it provides to the club's many fans. It would be a tragedy if this community asset were put at risk. Fortunately the fund raising target needed to avoid this is realistic and achievable, so we are asking all United fans and the wider community in Cambridge to help us to Bridge the Gap.'
Cambridge Fans United are meeting with United's other fans' groups to figure out how to coordinate fund-raising efforts - 'We need everyone pulling together over the next few weeks; we really do need to be United,' he said. 'We are developing a number of fund-raising ideas, and details will be announced early next week. In the meantime we would be very grateful for any help that people can offer us, in time or through donations, or simply by becoming a member of CFU.'
The appeal will be launched officially at the Oxford game during half time, and the first opportunity for United fans to support the appeal will come before and after the game when there will be a bucket collection. Concluded Pomery, 'Please bring some spare cash for the buckets. If you can afford a pound then it would be great if you throw in a pound, if you can afford more then that would be even better. If every supporter donates what they can afford then by Saturday night we can be on our way toward hitting the target .'
You can contact CFU by e-mail at info@cambridgefansunited.org, by telephone on 07957 344005, or by post at PO Box 447, Cambridge, CB3 8ZX
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