E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view)
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E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #1
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view)
Disclaimer One: Realising none of you have the privelage of being Cambridge United supporters, I've tried not to include any in-jokes. If I have, forgive me
Disclaimer Two: Most of the characters in this story bare some resemblance to real people, living or dead. I just hope none of them read this message board.
01-20-2003, 10:04 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #2
"If we sign a big centre back we’ll get promoted, no problem."
"No way, we need a bit more experience, I’ll be happy with mid-table."
"Oh come on, this team’s way better than the ’99 promotion team. No-one’s going to stop us if we can sure up the backline."
I hate pre-season. The hot weather. The crap games played at half pace. The endless substitutions. The semi-competent trialists who obviously have no chance of making it. But, for once, I’m genuinely looking forward to the first visit of the season to the Abbey. The doom and gloom of last years relegation has been blown away by the removal or John Beck and Shane ‘Igor’ Westley and the appointment of United legend Steve Fallon.
Fallon wasn’t everyone’s choice of replacement (John ‘Shaggy’ Taylor was favourite after he spent the second half of last season in caretaker charge), but he did well at Histon and he came cheap, so he’ll do for me. He’s certainly started well, getting rid of most of the Beck mistakes (Why this football club paid money for Leon Kelly is beyond me) and has managed to bring in a few promising new signings and trialists.
But I digress. Another bad thing about pre-season is that nobody really knows how the team’s going to perform, hence the wild speculation in the pub beforehand.
Arriving at the ground at 2.55 (One of the good things about pre-season, plenty of space on the terraces) it’s clear to see that things have changed. Fallon favoured a wingback formation at Histon, but this would clearly not suit the strengths of our squad, so he has plumped for a 4-5-1/4-3-3 style, with Tudor and Youngs playing off the striker. Kitson’s injured as usual, so the central strikers role is filled by the returning Omer Riza.
New signings on view are Gareth Roberts, formally of Tranmere, Simon Rodger, who used to be at Palace, and Richard Smith, ex Grimsby. All have signed on free transfers, casualties of the ITV Digital fall out. While our own finances are still a bit precarious, the big cuts Fallon’s made, axing the likes of Prokas and Walling, have allowed him to bring in his own players. Statto Tommy informs us that Smith had a spell playing for United on loan in the 80’s, and no one’s going to argue since none of us can remember back that far.
The team is one that will probably resemble our starting line up for the first game at Macclesfield:
GK: Marshall
DR: Warner
DL: Roberts
DC: Angus
DC: Smith
MC (left side): Rodger
MC: Wanless (c)
MC (right side): Guttridge
AMR: Tudor
AML: Youngs
SC: Riza
Unfortunately this means Guttridge, one of my least favourite players, is a likely starter, and there’s no place for a couple of my favourites, Terry Fleming and Tony Scully. Phil Warner, a relic of the Beck era who spent much of last season in the reserves, also seems to have found favour with the new management.
01-20-2003, 10:13 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #3
More Cambridge shenanigans from the king of that little footballing corner of England :cool:
01-20-2003, 10:19 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #4
Cheers Flip. Someone's got to keep our good name in the limelight
The first half is predictably played at walking pace. Omer Riza puts us in front with a sharp finish following a clever one-two with Youngs. Stevenage look a useful side, under the guidance of ex-P*sh coach Wayne Turner and ex-U John Dreyer, who is still trying to prolong his playing career despite his obvious vulnerability against quick forwards like Riza. He gets a fair bit of abuse and reacts, unprofessionally as ever, by giving the crowd a sly wánker sign when the Ref isn’t looking. And he’s player/coach now - the mind boggles.
Kirk Jackson equalises at the second attempt after Marshall has blocked his initial shot, and the only other highlight of the half is a free kick from Simon Rodger that clips the bar on its way over. Maybe we’ve found a dead ball specialist at last. We haven’t had one for about three years so it’s about time.
A barrage of substitutions disturb the beginning of the second period, with players on both sides looking like virtual strangers. Interesting trialists for us are Jeff Minton, who I remember as a classy midfielder at Brighton and Rotherham, and Eddie Forrest, a Scottish centre back we are apparently close to signing.
With both sides looking content with a draw, Gareth Roberts makes a sudden burst down the left. He leaves two ‘boro players in his wake and puts in a peach of a cross that even Riza, possibly the smallest player on the pitch, can’t fail to head into the net. Omer’s looking as sharp as ever, but I’m more pleased with the contribution of Roberts, who on this performance looks a real find.
Minton and Forrest are less impressive, with the former probably having blown the small chance he had of securing a contract. We’re just about good value for our win, although Stevenage have their moments, notably when French striker Jean-Michel Sigerre escapes the attentions of Andy Duncan only to be denied by a good save from back up keeper Martin Brennan.
As expected we look better going forward than when we’re on the defensive, but I still think we’ve got more than enough to blow any of the crap in this division away. We’ll soon find out, only seven days to go!
01-20-2003, 10:19 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #5
go go go... one of my favourite little lower league teams, one day IRL they'll be premiership champions
01-20-2003, 10:38 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #6
Afraid you won't get attention with a normal-size title? :p
01-21-2003, 08:35 AM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #7
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Rotherham, we are Rotherham, Ronnie is our King!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Nice title though
01-21-2003, 04:26 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #8
Good to see another story from your good self LP. There is nothing better than reading a story about the author's side. All the best, I'll be reading.
01-22-2003, 03:55 PM
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #9
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view) Post #10
Right lets try this post again. I didn't plan for it to be this long...
Macclesfield (Away)
The fixture computer has given us an instant reminder that we're back in the third division with an opening day trip to that most rustic of rustic grounds, Macclesfield. What a bloody joke, I don't how they got into the league. There are no pubs in walking distance, the away end offers no cover and one of the stands is a tent.
Anyway, as designated driver, I pick up Mick, Tommy and Will and we set off at a not unreasonable 10.30am. Everyone's in a good mood, what with it being the first day of the season and all, so to pass the time on the journey we play the 'guess the team lineup' game.
Me (4-4-2)
Marshall
Warner
Roberts
Angus
Duncan
Scully
Tudor
Wanless
Rodger
Youngs
Riza
Tommy (4-5-1)
Marshall
Warner
Roberts
Angus
Smith
Tudor
Youngs
Guttridge
Rodger
Wanless
Riza
Mick (4-5-1)
Marshall
Angus
Roberts
Duncan
Smith
Tudor
Riza
Rodger
Youngs
Wanless
One
Will (4-4-2)
Marshall
Warner
Roberts
Duncan
Angus
Tudor
Youngs
Wanless
Rodger
One
Riza
I'm disappointed to see I'm the only one who includes Tony Scully. While he's a frustrating player, he has had a good pre-season, and I feel he has to be in the side. No-one agrees with me, and no-one agrees with Tommy that Guttridge is worth a place in the team. However, we all agree that in Kitson's continuing absence Fallon will stick with 4-5-1. We arrive in Macclesfield at about 1.40 and pull up outside a pub.
The pub, a friendly-looking country affair, is seemingly the only drinking establishment within a ten mile radius, and U's fans are mingling happily with their Macc counterparts. The three drinkers get a couple of quick pints in before we pile back into the car and head for the ground.
Unfortunately Moss Rose is exactly like I remember it, except for one big change. The tent has gone, and been replaced by a rather smart all-seater stand. This is good for the small number of United fans who have chosen to sit down, but little comfort to the rest of us, who are stuck on the same old open terrace. Luckily it's a fine day, and we are bathed in late-august sunshine
It's nice to see a lot of familiar faces, and everyone seems to be in a positive mood, confident of an opening day win. Deep down I fear it's not going to be that easy. Cambridge have a habit of doing things the hard way, and seeing as we didn't win an away game in the league last season, I find it hard to get too optimistic.
We find Alex Jones and Ben Lee, a couple of lads we met last season, and they give us the team news. Scully's out, not even on the bench, but Guttridge is in. Angus is at right back, with Smith and Duncan in the middle. I'm a big Angus fan, but he's never convinced me as a right back, so that's a bit of a worry. But other than that, it looks like a strong line up.
The match kicks off, and, within a minute I'm reminded why I come to football. Straight from kick off Guttridge receives the ball and feeds it down the channel for Riza to chase. The little maestro skips past the full back and cuts the ball back for the in-rushing Rodger, who cracks the ball into the net past the almost disbelieving keeper. There is silence for a second, before the place goes mad. A goal within 30 seconds, and suddenly all last seasons woes are forgotten.
I wasn't convinced with the 4-5-1 system after the Stevenage game, but it's working a treat today. The pace of Riza and Shane Tudor, together with the movement of Tom Youngs is pulling the Macc defence to shreds. On 9 minutes, an intelligent header from Guttridge finds Tudor in space, and he rifles a shot into the top corner to double our lead. Riza in particular is outstanding, and a deserved goal comes on 15 minutes when set up by a low Rodger cross.
Tinson gets one back for Macc direct from a 20-yard free kick, but Rodger betters that in the second half
with a belter from 30. United spend the last half hour playing 'olay' football, while in the stand we try to come up with chants for the new players. Finding one for Riza is causing most problems. Suddenly, Tommy takes a deep breath, and screams;
"OMER RIZA, SOUNDS LIKE PIZZA"
Everyone on the terrace chuckles. Riza, waiting for a throw on to be taken, turns to us and grins. It's that sort of day.
E I E I E I O, Up the football league we go, and when we win promotion, this is what we'll sing: We are Cambridge, we are Cambridge, Cambridge football team (a fans-eye view)
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