Cambridge United

The Cambridge United Shadow Board was formed to help unify and give a stronger voice to fan groups, strengthen fan engagement and ensure fans can act as a sounding board for the Club...

This move followed the repurchase of the Abbey Stadium, together with the stated desire of the owners to introduce ‘Golden Share’ protections for the future. 

The creation of Fan Shadow Boards was one of the key recommendations of the Tracey Crouch Fan Led Review in which Cambridge United were the only EFL club represented on the Advisory Panel.

The establishment of the Board followed productive meetings in 2022 between the Club, Cambridge Fans United (CFU), Cambridge United Supporters' Panel (CUSP), Amber Belles and more recently, the Cambridge United Supporters’ Club, to reach agreement on the Shadow Board role and its constitution. This is published in full and can be read here. 

The Shadow Board compliments, rather than replaces, the existing four fan groups. Two from each will comprise the inaugural membership of eight representatives who will serve for an initial two-year period.

Member Profiles

	Nigel Browne Fan Group: CUSP Years Supporting Club: 52 years Bio: I Started coming to the Abbey in 1966 aged 11 with my late father.  Have supported the U's home and away since then. I have two grown up sons who both support the club and four grandchildren who will hopefully attend matches when old enough. I have worked as a Turnstile Operator for the last 22 years and am also a member of the voluntary team running the CUFC lottery which I helped start in 2012. I am also a committee member of 100 years of Coconuts, the historical group of Cambridge United. I care very much about both the heritage and future of Cambridge United.
	Anouska Wright  Fan Group: Amber Belles  Years Supporting Club: 32 years Bio: I started regularly attending matches in 1990 and what a time that was to be involved.  It has always been a family affair for us, first attending with my Mum, Dad and Brother and now also with my Boyfriend and Son. I am proud to be part of the first Shadow Board as I am passionate about fan engagement.  I would like to help enhance the matchday experience and ensure a safe and accepting environment for all of our fans. I look forward to being a voice for our fans in ensuring our club progresses but also retains its heritage.
	Ben Payne Fan Group: CUSP Years Supporting Club: 33 years Bio: Supporter of Cambridge United for Over 30 years! Been through the dark and difficult days and now here to make sure with the rest of the shadow board and my work with CUSP that we put the club in the best possible position for the future generations. Work in the commercial business world so especially keen to see the club maximise the revenue possibilities to help us grow further.
	Ben Phillips Fan Group: CFU Years supporting Club: 30 years Bio: I have been coming to the U’s since I was a small child and I am currently vice chair of CFU. I am passionate about fan engagement and on a Matchday I can be found pitchside as one of the club’s photographers. I am also passionate about trying to improve Cambridge United’s visual presence within the city we live in, so we can hopefully engage and find new potential fans. I would like to see the football club continue to improve its Matchday experience and I think it’s crucial that we look at bringing the next generation of young fans into the football club, to allow it to keep flourishing for years to come.
	Andrew Fox Fan Group: 100 Years of Coconuts Years supporting Club: 60 years Bio: I was born in 1964 and raised in Romsey. After a spell abroad I settled in E Barnwell in 1993 and have been here ever since. I always quote my first game as being the Mansfield promotion decider in 1973, although I do have hazy memories of seeing games in the Southern League in the late 60s. What do I love about Cambridge Utd? Although the dynamics are changing I like the relative 'smallness' of this Club and the fact that we always seem to be punching above our weight. For this level we still have a hardy bunch of volunteers(of which I'm one) and the Club still feels an intrinsic part of Barnwell. I was honoured to witness the 4th division championship season of 1976/77, still my favourite, and I am also honoured to be invited on to the Shadow Board project. What's not to like? Probably controversial but we must have the poorest repertoire of terrace chants in the whole of the EFL! All the dated references to 'yellows' and 'yellow and black army' are so, so tired. Come on the NRE, sort it out!"
	Anouska Wright  Fan Group: Amber Belles and CFU Years Supporting Club: 32 years Bio: I started regularly attending matches in 1990 and what a time that was to be involved.  It has always been a family affair for us, first attending with my Mum, Dad and Brother and now also with my Boyfriend and Son. I am proud to be part of the first Shadow Board as I am passionate about fan engagement.  I would like to help enhance the matchday experience and ensure a safe and accepting environment for all of our fans. I look forward to being a voice for our fans in ensuring our club progresses but also retains its heritage.
	Paul Mayes Fan Group: Cambridge United Supporters' Club Years Supporting Club: 60 years Bio: I have been a U's supporter my whole life and served on Abbey Action, taising money for the football club in the past. I have also been a member of the Supporters Club for the same amount of time, serving on the committee for over 55 years and as Chairman for 45 years. We are looking forward to working side-by-side with the football club to rebuild the stadium with the current owners and directors. I think the future of CUFC is in a good hands and I am sure that we have a fantastic future in the newly built stadium.
	Jim Hardingham Fan Group: Cambridge United Supporters' Club Years Supporting Club: Over 60 years Bio: I have been supporting the U’s all my life. I have strong connections with the football club and the supporters club, and have served on many committees throughout the years. I am humbled to be asked to serve on the Shadow Board. There are new and exciting times ahead, with the redevelopment of the stadium and supporters club, so if I can help aid any connections between fans and club, it will be most satisfying.
	Philip Saich Fan Group: CUFC Lottery and CUSP Years Supporting Club: 35 years Bio: I’ve been supporting the U’s since university days, before finally becoming a Season Ticket Holder in 2014. My aim is to help ensure the Shadow Board protects the Club for future generations. I am also on the Cambridge United Supporters’ Panel (CUSP) and hope to ensure that fans not only have a voice in the future direction the Club takes but are also kept fully informed of developments on-and-off the field.