Cambridge Fans United, the Cambridge United Supporters' Trust, are holding a bucket collection ahead of Saturday's Town game against Derby County. U's fans are desperate to save their club from financial collapse.

Cambridge Fans United explained the club's situation to TWTD: "There are a number of clubs that have struggled financially in the last five years, mainly due to factors beyond their control which have affected the game globally but impacted most upon the clubs that traditionally relied upon transfer income as their financial saviour.

"Cambridge United is no different. The club has, in effect, been up for sale for many years. Worsening results on the pitch have led United to their current position - bottom of League Two and tenants in their own ground. The Abbey Stadium was sold to director John Howard and his business partner at the end of 2004 in a desperate bid to pay off loans taken out against the ground.

"The money from the sale that was intended to keep the club in business until the summer has already run out and the club is on the brink of financial oblivion.

"Cambridge Fans United, the Supporters' Trust, is seen by most fans as the way forward. Legally, CFU is an Industrial and Provident Society (like the Co-op). It was created by the fans, is run by the fans, for the benefit of the fans. Its legally binding rules ensure that it is fully democratic and non profit-making.

"We have developed a business plan and have promises of finance from a multitude of business and private investors that we hope will enable us to buy back the Abbey Stadium and develop it as a hub for the community.

"The Abbey ward is one of the most deprived in the county of Cambridgeshire, but we believe that we can develop the ground to provide facilities and resources for the people who live in the shadow of the Abbey and need the development most.

"We are facing a situation where we may well need to run the club ourselves as fans' trusts have done at clubs such as Exeter, Lincoln and Chesterfield. We are under no illusions as to the scale of this problem, as we are only too aware of the history of other clubs that have recently gone out of business - Maidstone and Telford for example have been closed down recently. It does happen to clubs.

"We are determined that this will not happen to Cambridge United. The city deserves a professional football club and the area deserves the facilities and services available to them. The football club is a unique institution in the area, with a proud history and potential to be a stable and successful club.

"The youth scheme for example is one of the most highly rated in the country, with players such as Andy Sinton, Jody Craddock, Danny Granville and Micah Hyde having long and successful careers in the higher divisions after being developed by United's youth coaches. It would be a tragic waste if this potential and contribution to the nation's football was lost.

"But the bottom line for most Cambridge United supporters is: 'Please help us save our club!' It's not just about pounds, shillings and pence ... Cambridge United is part of our lives and we love it, just like Ipswich fans love their club and Portman Road. Cambridge United might be bottom of the league now, but we have not given up hope."

TWTD will be selling a fundraising Cambridge fanzine on our stall ahead of Tuesday's home game with Rotherham.

Cambridge Fans United are keen for Town fans to help them with their collection which will take place between noon and 3pm. If you want to lend a hand, call Janet Williams on 07773 900216 or contact them via their website: http://www.cambridgefansunited.org

Photo: Action Images

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