View source for Cambridge United F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in Cambridge, England}}
{{About|the men's football club|the women's team|Cambridge United WFC|the Canadian soccer team|Cambridge United (Canada)|other clubs with similar names|Cambridge F.C. (disambiguation){{!}}Cambridge F.C.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Cambridge United
| image = Cambridge United FC crest.svg
| upright = 0.8
| alt = logo
| fullname = Cambridge United Football Club
| nickname = The U's
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1912}} (as Abbey United)
| ground = [[Abbey Stadium]]
| capacity = 7,937 (4,321 seated)
| owner = Paul Barry (75.01%),<br />Mark Green (24.99%)<ref name="Club Ownership">{{cite web |title=Cambridge United: Ownership Update |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/cambridge-united-ownership-update |publisher=Cambridge United FC |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
| chairman = Paul Barry
| manager = [[Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)|Neil Harris]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| league = {{English football updater|CambridU}}
| season = {{English football updater|CambridU2}}
| position = {{English football updater|CambridU3}}
| website = {{official URL}}
| current = 2025-26 Cambridge United F.C. season
| pattern_la1 = _cambridge2526h
| pattern_b1 = _cambridge2526h
| pattern_ra1 = _cambridge2526h
| pattern_sh1 =
| pattern_so1 =
| leftarm1 = faa419
| body1 = faa419
| rightarm1 = faa419
| shorts1 = 000000
| socks1 = 000000
| pattern_la2 = _cambridge2526a
| pattern_b2 =_cambridge2526a
| pattern_ra2 =_cambridge2526a
| pattern_sh2 = 
| pattern_so2 = 
| leftarm2 =49885d
| body2 = f6f1db
| rightarm2 = 49885d
| shorts2 = f6f1db
| socks2 = f6f1db
| pattern_la3 = 
| pattern_b3 = 
| pattern_ra3 = 
| pattern_sh3 = 
| pattern_so3 = 
| leftarm3 = 
| body3 = 
| rightarm3 = 
| shorts3 = 
| socks3 = 
}}
'''Cambridge United Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in the city of [[Cambridge]], England. They currently compete in [[EFL League Two]], the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]]. Nicknamed the U's, the club has played at the [[Abbey Stadium]] since 1932.

The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United, and took the name Cambridge United in 1951. They played in local amateur leagues before joining the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] after finishing as runners-up of the [[Eastern Counties League]] in 1957–58. Under [[Bill Leivers]]'s stewardship they were crowned Southern League Premier Division champions in 1968–69 and 1969–70, which helped to secure their election into the  [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1970. They won promotion out of the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in 1972–73, but suffered immediate relegation. They won the Fourth Division title in 1976–77, and then secured promotion out of the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] the following season. They remained in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] for six seasons, before they suffered consecutive relegations.

Manager [[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]] led United to promotion out of the Fourth Division via play-offs in 1990 and then the Third Division title in 1990–91, with the club reaching the Second Division play-offs the following season. Two relegations in three years left Cambridge United back in the fourth tier, before promotion was secured at the end of the 1998–99 campaign. They entered the [[National League (division)|Conference]] in 2005, after two relegations in four seasons, where they remained for nine seasons. They finished as Conference runners-up three times, being beaten in the play-off finals in [[2008 Conference Premier play-off Final|2008]] and [[2009 Conference Premier play-off Final|2009]], before eventually securing promotion after winning the [[2014 Conference Premier play-off Final|2014 play-off final]]. After spending seven seasons in [[EFL League Two|League Two]], Cambridge United were promoted to [[EFL League One|League One]] as runners-up, in 2021, under [[Mark Bonner (football manager)|Mark Bonner]].

Although the club has traditionally worn amber and black at home, it has experimented with a number of designs of shirts including plain amber with black trim, amber and black squares, stripes, and amber with a black sash.<ref name="historicalkits">{{cite web | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Cambridge_United/Cambridge_United.htm | title=Cambridge United | work=historicalkits.co.uk | access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> The club had close links with [[Cambridge Regional College F.C.|Cambridge Regional College]], a team that operated as a de facto reserve team between 2006 and 2014.<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/jezsays28jan-1322585.aspx Jez Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815184238/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk//news/article/jezsays28jan-1322585.aspx |date=15 August 2016 }} Cambridge United, 28 January 2014</ref> The Cambridge United Community Trust perform a lot of charity work in the local community. The club is based at the [[Abbey Stadium]] on [[Newmarket Road, Cambridge|Newmarket Road]], approximately {{convert|2|mi|0}} east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 7,937, made up of terracing and seated areas.

==History==
{{Further|History of Cambridge United F.C.}}

===Formation and early years===
The club was founded in 1912 as '''Abbey United''', named after the Abbey district of Cambridge. A club called Cambridge United existed in Cambridge from 1909, but it was not linked to the club that exists today.<ref name="websitepottedhistory">[https://web.archive.org/web/20101218013749/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10423~61508%2C00.html Cambridge United Potted History] Cambridge United official website. Archive date 18 December 2010.</ref> The club played in local amateur leagues for many of its early years, moving from ground to ground around Cambridge (see [[Cambridge United#Stadium|Stadium]] below) before settling at the [[Abbey Stadium]]. In 1949 the club turned professional, and changed its name to Cambridge United in 1951.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> They played in the [[Eastern Counties League]] until finishing as runners-up in 1957–58, which saw them promoted to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]].<ref name="FCHD">{{Fchd|id=CAMBRIDU|name=Cambridge United}}</ref> Three years later, Cambridge United reached the Premier Division of the Southern League.<ref name="FCHD"/>

===First League era: 1970–2005===
[[File:Cambridge United League Performance.svg|right|thumb|200px|Final table positions since 1971]]
After [[Re-election (Football League)|election]] to the [[Football League]] in 1970, to replace [[Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.|Bradford (Park Avenue)]], the club was promoted from the Fourth Division after three seasons, but went straight back down.

Following the appointment of [[Ron Atkinson]] as manager, Cambridge United won successive promotions which took them into the Second Division in 1978 – a mere eight years after joining the Football League. Atkinson had gone to [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], a First Division club, in January 1978, and was succeeded by [[John Docherty (footballer, born 1940)|John Docherty]], who oversaw the second promotion.

Cambridge United peaked at eighth place in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] in 1980. However, a terrible season in [[1983-84 in English football|1983–84]] (setting a league record for most successive games without a win, 31,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/37-As-good-as-it-got/1890-cambridge-united-1991 | title=Cambridge United 1991 | work=When Saturday Comes | date=December 2004 | access-date=13 July 2012 | author=Morgan, John}}</ref> which was surpassed by [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in 2008<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis |first=Aimee |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7368637.stm |title=Football &#124; Premier League &#124; Blackburn 3–1 Derby |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2008 |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>) was followed by a further relegation in [[1984-85 in English football|1984–85]] (equalling the then league record for most losses in a season, 33).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/Losses/0,,10794~634821,00.html | title=Defeats | publisher=The Football League | date=2 July 2009 | access-date=13 July 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919234435/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/Losses/0%2C%2C10794~634821%2C00.html | archive-date=19 September 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> These successive relegations, which also had a negative effect on the club's attendances as well as its finances, placed Cambridge United back in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]], the lowest professional league in [[Football in England|English football]] at the time. They had to apply for re-election in their first season back in the Fourth Division, and promotion would not be achieved for another four years.<ref name="FCHD"/>

The early 1990s was the U's most successful period. Soon after the appointment of new manager [[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]], the club won the first ever appearance as a professional club at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], the Fourth Division playoff final in May 1990, which secured promotion to the Third Division – the club's first promotion for 12 years.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/><ref name="1989–90">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1989-90.html |title=Football Statistics Archive |publisher=Rsssf.com |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> [[Dion Dublin]] scored the only goal in a game against Chesterfield.<ref name="1989–90"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Andrea Thrussell |url=http://www.cambridgeunited.com/lookback/wembleypic.html |title=Wembley – Saturday 26 May 1990 |publisher=Cambridge United official website |access-date=1 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006150333/http://www.cambridgeunited.com/lookback/wembleypic.html |archive-date=6 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Under Beck, United gained promotion from the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] and had already reached the [[FA Cup]] quarter finals in 1990, and reached them again a year later,<ref>{{cite web|title=Arsenal v Cambridge United, 9 March 1991|url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/arsenal-v-cambridge-united-09-march-1991-216427/|work=www.11v11.com|access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> and winning the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] in 1991.<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> United reached the play-offs in 1992, after finishing 5th in the Second Division, but failed in their bid to become founder members of the [[Premier League]].<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> This was the club's highest final league placing to date.<ref name="honours">{{cite web | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/stats/records-honours/ | title=CLUB RECORDS & HONOURS | work=Cambridge United official website | access-date=13 August 2012 | archive-date=4 August 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804061736/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/stats/records-honours/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The following season the club sacked John Beck and were relegated from the new [[Football League First Division|First Division]].<ref name="websitepottedhistory"/> Further relegation followed two seasons later.<ref name="FCHD"/> United returned to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] but were relegated in 2002 despite a successful run in the [[Football League Trophy]] which saw them reach the [[2002 Football League Trophy Final|final]] which they lost 1–4 to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]].<ref name="Footballleaguetrophy">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1885124.stm |title=FOOTBALL &#124; Blackpool lift LDV Vans Trophy |work=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2002 |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>

In 2005, after 35 years in the Football League, Cambridge United were relegated into the [[Football Conference]]. This brought with it financial difficulties and the club filed for [[administration (insolvency)|administration]] on 29 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/content/articles/2005/04/29/cambridge_united_administration_feature.shtml|
publisher=BBC Cambridgeshire|title=Cambridge United file for administration.. is this the end of the U's?|access-date=21 January 2008}}</ref> On 22 July 2005 the club came out of administration with a deal being struck with [[HM Revenue and Customs]] at the eleventh hour after the intervention of then sports minister [[Richard Caborn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~689291,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724173543/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~689291%2C00.html|archive-date=24 July 2011|title=Cambridge United – A Fresh Start|date=22 July 2005|publisher=Cambridge United official website|access-date=21 January 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Cambridge had sold their Abbey Stadium home earlier in the season for £1.9 million to keep the club afloat.<ref name="groundsale">{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/4058769.stm | title=Abbey sale keeps Cambridge afloat | publisher=BBC | date=1 December 2004 | access-date=8 June 2007}}</ref>

===In the Conference: 2005–2014===
[[File:Cambridge United vs Exeter City.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cambridge United supporters at Wembley Stadium]]

On the eve of the [[2006-07 in English football|2006–07]] season, it was announced that former [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] striker [[Lee Power]] would be the club's new chairman taking over from Brian Attmore's caretaking reign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/Power-play.htm |title=Cambridge United Football Club News, Results, Fixtures & Scores &#124; Cambridge Football &#124; Power play |publisher=Cambridge-news.co.uk |access-date=1 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429191823/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/Power-play.htm |archive-date=29 April 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Johnny Hon]] was also to rejoin the board as vice-chairman after [[John Howard (UK businessman)|John Howard]]'s resignation on conflict of interests grounds (owing to his ownership of Bideawhile 445 Ltd, United's landlords).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/5246060.stm | title=Board changes at Cambridge United | publisher=BBC | date=4 August 2007 | access-date=8 June 2007}}</ref> [[Jimmy Quinn (Northern Irish footballer)|Jimmy Quinn]] was appointed manager soon after Power took charge and, after a difficult settling-in period which included a humiliating 5–0 loss to local rivals [[Histon F.C.|Histon]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~36431,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218165152/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10423~36431%2C00.html | archive-date=18 December 2010 | title=Match Report: Histon v. Cambridge United | publisher=Cambridge United official website | date=16 December 2006 | access-date=20 July 2007 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> he guided Cambridge United away from another possible relegation by achieving five wins from their last seven games of the season.<ref name="websitepottedhistory1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20101218081844/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2006%2C00.html Cambridge United Results 2006–07] Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 20 July 2007</ref>

After signing several respected and experienced players at the [[Non-League football|non-league level]] in the following close season Quinn led Cambridge to their then longest ever unbeaten start to a season ([[2007-08 in English football|2007–08]]), which stretched to twelve games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oliver |first=Pete |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/7128929.stm |title=Football &#124; My Club &#124; Cambridge Utd &#124; Quinn targets Football League return |work=BBC Sport |date=5 December 2007 |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> Off the field, United reported several major sponsorship deals which seemed to point towards increased financial security.<ref name="haartdeal">{{cite news | date=29 June 2007 | url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/united/2007/06/29/c600abfc-8513-4e7d-ada6-2cacc7dc2e28.lpf | archive-url=https://archive.today/20070721081410/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/united/2007/06/29/c600abfc-8513-4e7d-ada6-2cacc7dc2e28.lpf | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 July 2007 | title=U's in Good Haart | newspaper=[[Cambridge Evening News]] | access-date=19 July 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1089770,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203172401/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~1089770%2C00.html | archive-date=3 December 2009 | title=Ten Year Sponsorship Deal | publisher=Cambridge United official website | date=11 August 2007 | access-date=5 September 2007 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Halfway through the season the chairman, Lee Power, resigned. He was replaced by Wayne Purser.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1227375,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131123115/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~1227375%2C00.html|archive-date=31 January 2008|title=New Cambridge United Chairman|publisher=Cambridge United official website|date=29 January 2008|access-date=1 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> United finished the season in 2nd place, qualifying for the play-offs. They beat [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]] in the semi-final, 4–3 on aggregate,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7381796.stm|title= Cambridge 2–1 Burton (4–3 agg)|work=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2008|access-date=19 May 2008}}</ref> but lost 1–0 to [[Exeter City]] in the [[2008 Conference National play-off Final|final]], played at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/exeter-city-return-to-football-league-mspt00khwld|title=Exeter City return to Football League|date=16 May 2008|access-date=18 May 2008 | location=London | work=The Times|first=Fiona|last=Hamilton}}</ref>

Following the play-off defeat many players left the club, culminating in the departure of manager Jimmy Quinn.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/7457128.stm |title=BBC SPORT &#124; Football &#124; My Club &#124; Cambridge Utd &#124; Cambridge part company with Quinn |work=BBC News |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> Quinn was succeeded by former [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] manager [[Gary Brabin]], who appointed [[Paul Carden]] as player-assistant manager.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn%5Fsport%5Fcamb%5Futd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=325189 | title=Brabin takes the reins | newspaper=[[Cambridge News]] | date=23 June 2008 | access-date=23 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316202905/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn%5Fsport%5Fcamb%5Futd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=325189 | archive-date=16 March 2009 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> United finished the [[2008-09 in English football|2008–09]] season again 2nd in the league, and also again reached the [[2009 Conference National play-off Final|play-off final]], overturning a 3–1 deficit to beat [[Stevenage Borough F.C.|Stevenage Borough]] 4–3 on aggregate in the semi-final;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8031847.stm|title=Cambridge Utd 3–0 Stevenage (4–3)|first=Phil|last= Maiden|work= [[BBC Sport]]|date=4 May 2009|access-date=5 May 2009}}</ref> however, they were beaten again at [[Wembley Stadium]], 2–0 by [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8038429.stm|title=Cambridge Utd 0–2 Torquay |first=Emlyn|last= Begley|work= [[BBC Sport]]|date=17 May 2009|access-date=17 May 2009}}</ref> Brabin was named as the Conference's Manager of the Season,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/displayarticle.asp?id=425350|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724011152/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/displayarticle.asp?id=425350|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 July 2012|title=Brabin's the best!|newspaper=[[Cambridge News]]|date=15 June 2009|access-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> but was sacked in the close-season after reportedly falling out with the chairman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=432795|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906144653/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=432795|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2012|title=UNITED MANAGER BRABIN SACKED|date=13 July 2009|access-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Martin Ling]], who resigned just eight days into the job, before the start of the [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10]] season<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8183363.stm|title=Ling resigns as Cambridge manager |work=BBC Sport|date=4 August 2009|access-date=4 August 2009}}</ref> and was followed days later by chairman George Rolls.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8186611.stm|title=Cambridge chairman Rolls resigns |work=BBC Sport|date=5 August 2009|access-date=6 August 2009}}</ref> The new board re-appointed Ling as manager the following week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1751681,00.html |title=MARTIN LING RETURNS |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |publisher=Cambridge United F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815041358/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~1751681%2C00.html |archive-date=15 August 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref>

Cambridge finished Ling's first season in 10th place – not enough for a playoff place.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/NonLeagueTables/Con2009-10.htm| title=BLUE SQUARE CONFERENCE 2009/10 | publisher=footballsite.co.uk | access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> The following season, on 6 January 2011, with Cambridge in a similar position to where they finished the previous season, the club's owners put the club up for sale citing the need for new funds to take the club forward.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/9342272.stm | title=Cambridge United owners put club up for sale | work=[[BBC Sport]] | date=6 January 2011 | access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Despite interest being expressed from a number of parties, no new owner has yet been found.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/9354941.stm| title=Baldwin reveals Cambridge United bid interest| work=[[BBC Sport]] | date=10 January 2011 | access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Later the same month, the club's landlords [[Grosvenor Group]] revealed the plans for a new community stadium, including potential new locations both within the city and outside it.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/9372810.stm| title=Ten sites identified for Cambridge United move | work=[[BBC Sport]] | date=25 January 2011 | access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> At the start of 2011 Martin Ling was removed from his position as manager<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~2282149,00.html | title=Ling and Schofield Depart | publisher=Cambridge United | date=1 February 2009 | access-date=2 February 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203050455/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~2282149%2C00.html | archive-date=3 February 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and replaced on a temporary basis by [[Cambridge Regional College F.C.|CRC]] manager [[Jez George]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~2283167,00.html| title=Jez George Appointed Caretaker Manager| publisher=Cambridge United official website| date=2 February 2009| access-date=2 February 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205032957/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~2283167%2C00.html| archive-date=5 February 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref> He managed to steer the club towards safety, finishing 17th, which led to George's role being made permanent. After having rebuilt the squad with players from the club's youth system and with astute signings in [[Harrison Dunk]] and [[Tom Shaw (footballer)|Tom Shaw]], George managed to lead Cambridge to a 9th-place finish, a huge improvement on their previous season. As well as the league, Jez George also took Cambridge to the quarter-final of the [[2011–12 FA Trophy|FA Trophy]] (which was the furthest they had reached at the time), but lost 2–1 at home to minnows, [[Wealdstone F.C.|Wealdstone]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13287320|title=Jez George appointed Cambridge United manager|publisher=BBC|date=5 May 2011|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> Eleven games into the following season Jez George became Director of Football, and [[Richard Money]] was announced as the new head coach of the club.<ref name="MoneyAppointment">{{cite news|title=RICHARD MONEY JOINS AS HEAD COACH|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk//news/article/richard-money-joins-407500.aspx|publisher=Cambridge United F.C.|date=4 October 2012|access-date=4 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007044955/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/richard-money-joins-407500.aspx|archive-date=7 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The club spent much of the season in mid-table, finishing in 14th position with 59 points. The squad was greatly revamped, and United started [[2013–14 Football Conference|2013–14]] with a record-breaking 16 games unbeaten. Cambridge finished the season in second place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating [[FC Halifax Town]] 2–1, on aggregate, in the semi-final, they won 2–1 against [[Gateshead F. C.|Gateshead]] in the [[2014 Conference Premier play-off Final|final]], held at [[Wembley Stadium]], gaining promotion back to the [[English Football League|Football League]] after a nine-year absence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27360422 | title=Cambridge 2 – 1 Gateshead | publisher=BBC | work=BBC Sport | date=18 May 2014 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Osborne, Chris}}</ref> The club also reached their first [[2014 FA Trophy Final|FA Trophy final]], held at [[Wembley Stadium]], where they beat [[Gosport Borough F.C.|Gosport Borough]] 4–0.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26706037 | title=FA Trophy final: Cambridge United 4-0 Gosport Borough| work=BBC Sport| date=2014-03-23}}</ref>

===2014–present: Back in The Football League ===

In their first season back in the Football League, Cambridge United progressed to the fourth round of the [[2014–15 FA Cup|FA Cup]], where they drew at home with [[Premier League]] team [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. The match at the Abbey Stadium ended in a goalless draw,<ref>{{cite news|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Cambridge United 0–0 Manchester United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30843611|publisher=BBC|date=23 January 2015|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> forcing a replay at [[Old Trafford]], which Manchester United won 3–0.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cryer|first1=Andy|title=Manchester United 3–0 Cambridge United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30991120|access-date=6 May 2016|publisher=BBC|date=3 February 2015}}</ref> In the league, Cambridge finished 19th with 51 points, 10 points above the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cambridge United: Richard Money signs new deal and changes roles|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32690401|access-date=6 May 2016|publisher=BBC|date=11 May 2015}}</ref> The following [[2015–16 Cambridge United F.C. season|season]] started poorly, and Richard Money was sacked in November 2015,<ref>{{cite news|title=Cambridge United sack Richard Money after 'squad fails to show its potential'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/nov/02/cambridge-united-richard-money-sacked|access-date=6 May 2016|work=The Guardian|date=2 November 2015}}</ref> to be replaced by [[Shaun Derry]] who would lead Cambridge to a 9th-place finish.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shaun Derry: Cambridge United appoint ex-Notts County manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34790879|access-date=6 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=12 November 2015}}</ref>

In the [[2019–20 Cambridge United F.C. season|2019–20]] season, [[Mark Bonner (football manager)|Mark Bonner]] was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season. Under Bonner, Cambridge won four from their final seven matches before the disruption caused by the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|COVID-19 pandemic]] forced the cancellation of the season with Cambridge placed in 16th after a [[points per game]] ruling.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11750/11987458/league-two-clubs-vote-to-end-season-early-amid-coronavirus-pandemic |title=League Two clubs vote to end season early amid coronavirus pandemic |publisher=Sky Sports |date=16 May 2020 |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref> After being given the role permanently, Bonner guided Cambridge to promotion as runners-up in the [[2020–21 Cambridge United F.C. season|2020–21]] season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Page|first=Stephen|date=2021-05-08|title=Bonner overjoyed as Cambridge United secure promotion to League One|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mark-bonner-overjoyed-cambridge-united-20557144|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-08|website=[[Cambridge News]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508204147/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mark-bonner-overjoyed-cambridge-united-20557144 |archive-date=8 May 2021 }}</ref>

Following additional investment from the club's co-owners, United bought back the Abbey Stadium from Grosvenor in September 2022, 20 years after selling it.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cambridge complete deal to buy back stadium |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62764584 |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

In the [[2022–23 Cambridge United F.C. season|2022–23]] season, United avoided relegation on the final day of the season after beating [[Forest Green Rovers]] 2–0 at home on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439610 |title=Cambridge United 2–0 Forest Green Rovers - Cambridge secure safety with dramatic final day victory |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2023 |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> They were relegated to League Two at the end of the [[2024–25 Cambridge United F.C. season|2024–25 season]] after finishing 23rd.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62x1j6d8z9t#Report |title=Cambridge United 1–2 Birmingham City |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2025 |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>

==Colours and badge==
{{Football kit box |
  align      = left |
  pattern_la = |
  pattern_b  = _blackhalf |
  pattern_ra = |
  leftarm    = FFCC00 |
  body       = FFCC00 |
  rightarm   = 000000 |
  shorts     = FFFFFF |
  socks      = 000000 |
  title      = The club's first shirt (1924–25)<ref name="historicalkits"/>
}}

Cambridge United have traditionally worn amber and black home kits in a variety of designs, including plain amber with black trim (e.g. 1979–1991), amber and black quarters (1996–1998) and halves (e.g. 1924–25), and a variety of stripes (e.g. 1926–1936.<ref name="historicalkits"/> Only between 1957–1960 and 1970–1972 have shirts not been predominantly amber, when the club opted for white with a small amber and black detail on the shirt's sleeves. Away from home, kits have often been white with some amber and/or black detail, although recently shirts have been blue at the request of the away shirts sponsors.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Attmore, Brian  |author2=Nurse, Graham | title=Cambridge United FC – Images of Sport | publisher=NPI Media Group| year=2001| isbn=978-0-7524-2256-5 | page=105}}</ref>

[[File: Cambridge United FC.svg|thumb|100px|right|Club badge from 1986-2025]]

The club's current crest was adopted in 2024 after a consultation, and implemented for the beginning of the [[2025–26 Cambridge United F.C. season|2025-26 season]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=Cambridge Utd fans to be given a say on their club's new identity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck5g4k68r5yo |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Club Identity Revealed {{!}} Cambridge United F.C. |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/new-club-identity-revealed |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=www.cambridgeunited.com |language=en}}</ref> The circular design incorporates the shape of [[Magdalene Street|Magdalene Bridge]] over the River Cam.<ref name=":0" /> 

The previous crest, a large football over which the letters 'CU' are emblazoned, with three turrets on top, was worn on shirts since the [[1986-87 in English football|1986–87 season]], with a brief change to a more 'elaborate' design between 1996 and 1998.<ref name="historicalkits"/> Previously, shirts had simply been embroidered with the club's acronym 'CUFC' or a 'Book & Ball' badge used during the late 1970s.<ref name="historicalkits"/> The club used a special badge to commemorate their centenary in the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mobile.cambridge-united.co.uk/runtime/cambridge/article?articleId=2748881 | title=Dapper Dion! – U's legend models Centenary kits | work=Cambridge United official website | date=28 June 2012 | access-date=7 August 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A design change was proposed without consultation in 2023, but was not adopted.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-16 |title=Cambridge United reveal new badge design |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-66827333 |access-date=2025-07-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Sponsorship and manufacturers ===
A sponsor first appeared on a Cambridge United shirt for the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86]] season when the shirt was changed mid-season from plain amber to amber and black stripes.<ref name="historicalkits" /> Spraymate were the club's first shirt sponsor, and have since been followed by an array of local and national companies: Lynfox, Howlett, [[Fujitsu]], Beaumont Stainless Steels, Premier Travel, C and R Windows, Quicksilver (couriers), Capital Sports, The Global Group, [[Spicerhaart|Haart]], Global Self Drive, and in 2009–10 [[Greene King|Greene King IPA]].<ref name="historicalkits" />

The teams kits have been manufactured by a number of companies, with [[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]] providing the first strip on which a maker's logo appeared. The club have subsequently worn kits created by, among others, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Patrick (shoe company)|Patrick]], Sporta and, Vandanel, with the latter providing the strip for the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] season <ref name="historicalkits" /> and subsequently an amber shirt featuring a dramatic black sash design that polarised the opinions of fans. In the summer of 2010 the Club parted company with Vandanel, citing concerns regards the company's ability to continue to service their needs, signing a deal with Italian company [[Errea|Erreà]].<ref>{{cite news |date=26 May 2010 |title=New Errea at the Abbey! |url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~2059010,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529175644/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~2059010%2C00.html |archive-date=29 May 2010 |publisher=Cambridge United F.C. |df=dmy-all}}</ref> For the start of the 2013–14 season, The U's signed a deal with Genesis Sports to provide [[Puma SE|Puma]] team wear for the club. This deal has been continued into the 2014–15 season and saw the home shirts make a return to amber and black stripes. At the beginning of the 2019-2020 Campaign they have switched to Sportswear Company Hummel. Since the start of the 2023–24 season the kit has been produced by Umbro.
==Stadium==
{{Main article|Abbey Stadium}}
[[File:The Abbey Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The main stand at Abbey Stadium]]

Cambridge United currently play their home matches at the [[Abbey Stadium]], which has been their home since 1932. The stadium is located in the Abbey area of the city on Newmarket Road, approximately 3 kilometres (1.8miles) east of the city centre. The stadium currently has a capacity of 8,127, of which 4,376 are seated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/club/stadium/ | title=R COSTINGS ABBEY STADIUM | publisher=Cambridge United F.C. | date=3 September 2013 | access-date=22 January 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109083521/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/club/stadium/ | archive-date=9 January 2015 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=confground>{{cite web |url =http://www.conferencegrounds.co.uk/cambridge_united.htm |title =Cambridge United |access-date =19 November 2008 |publisher =www.conferencegrounds.co.uk |work =Internet Football Ground Guide |url-status =dead |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071225070834/http://www.conferencegrounds.co.uk/cambridge_united.htm |archive-date =25 December 2007 |df =dmy-all }}</ref> Due to sponsorship reasons, the ground has also been known as The R. Costings Abbey Stadium and the Cambs Glass Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 2009 |title=Legal eagles fly in to sponsor Abbey |newspaper=[[Cambridge News]] |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=424923 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617200712/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=424923 |archive-date=17 June 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2016 |title=Cambridge United agree Abbey naming rights deal with Cambs Glass |work=Cambridge News |url=http://m.cambridge-news.co.uk/cambridge-united-agree-abbey-naming-rights-deal/story-29173005-detail/story.html |access-date=6 July 2016}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

Before opening the Abbey with a victory over [[Cambridge University Press F.C.|Cambridge University Press]] in a [[Exhibition game|friendly]] on 31 August 1932, United had played matches at a number of venues around the city.<ref name="abbeyhistory">[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AbbeyStadium/0,,10423,00.html History of the Trade Recruitment Stadium] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625033629/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AbbeyStadium/0%2C%2C10423%2C00.html |date=25 June 2007 }} Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 18 July 2007</ref> When playing under the Abbey United name, games were played on [[Midsummer Common]] until the outbreak of [[World War I]]. When the war ended, the club moved to Stourbridge Common and, after promotion to the Cambridgeshire League Division One in 1923, moved once again to land just off Newmarket Road in Cambridge. This ground, affectionately known as the 'Celery Trenches' due to the poor state of the pitch, was christened with a 1–0 league victory over [[Histon F.C.|Histon Institute]] and became United's home for a decade. While based at the Trenches, the club established its offices at the 'Dog & Pheasant' pub on Newmarket Road, which it used as an away dressing room on matchdays, as well as a store for equipment including the pitch's goalposts.<ref name="abbeyhistory"/> However, the [[Cambridgeshire County Football Association|Cambridgeshire FA]] were unhappy with the state of the pitch at this new home, and the club moved to [[Parker's Piece]] at the start of the [[1930–31 in English football|1930–31]] season. Despite the special significance of Parker's Piece in the history of [[association football|football]], it being the first place where the [[Cambridge Rules]] were played out, the lack of spectator capacity and disruption caused during games meant this move was not a successful one.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/content/articles/2006/06/09/cambridge_football_rules_parkers_piece_feature.shtml | title=Cambridge... the birthplace of football?! | publisher=BBC | date=22 September 2009 | access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Cambridge 0 - 1 Hyde - 27 October 2012 007.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Abbey Stadium from the South Stand]]
In January 2006, John Howard announced plans to move out of the Abbey Stadium to a new purpose-built stadium in [[Milton, Cambridgeshire|Milton]]. This was supported by Cambridgeshire Horizons.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/united/2006/01/11/d83d5ee6-e0df-4fd9-b2a7-bb3aeaffc62e.lpf | title=Talks confirmed on new stadium plan | newspaper=[[Cambridge Evening News]] | date=11 January 2006 | access-date=18 July 2007 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> These were criticised by fans as risking the club's identity by moving out of the city and, despite Howard describing them as crucial to the club's future, little else was heard of them publicly. Subsequently, a new community stadium, that would also include conference facilities, was ruled out by a Planning Inspector's report which described it as unsuitable development in the green belt and in October 2009, Cambridge United announced its intentions to redevelop the Abbey Stadium with chairman.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1818503,00.html#continue | title=U's at Home at the Abbey | publisher=[[Cambridge United]] | date=5 October 2009 | access-date=5 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303024504/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1818503,00.html#continue | archive-date=3 March 2010 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Stadium was sold by Bideawhile to [[Grosvenor Group|Grosvenor Estates]] in June 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8538958.stm| title=Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium set to be sold | work=[[BBC Sport]] | date=26 February 2011 | access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Soon after, the new landlords, in combination with the club and supporters group [[Cambridge Fans United]], announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to positively work together to achieve the relocation of the club to a new stadium.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/the-construction-index-news/Cambridge-United-plans-new-stadium | title=Cambridge United Football Club has begun searching for a new stadium, after coming to an agreement with current landlord Grosvenor Developments | publisher=The Construction Index | access-date=2 February 2011 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In January 2011, plans for a new community stadium were unveiled at an open meeting, including potential new locations both within the city and outside it.<ref name="BBC Sport"/>

A final site, at [[Trumpington]] Meadows, was agreed upon and initial plans for an 8,000 capacity stadium were put forward, as part of a "Cambridge Sporting Village" incorporating housing and retail development.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/First-glimpse-of-Cambridge-Uniteds-proposed-new-stadium-24042012.htm | title=First glimpse of Cambridge United's proposed new stadium | work=Cambridge News | date=25 April 2012 | access-date=6 August 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531113156/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/First-glimpse-of-Cambridge-Uniteds-proposed-new-stadium-24042012.htm | archive-date=31 May 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>  Objections from residents and local councils saw the proposal blocked in 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-22524806|title=Cambridge United's Trumpington stadium plan quashed|work=[[BBC News]]|date=14 May 2013|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> and plans announced in January 2015 keep the sporting village development at Trumpington, but without the new stadium. Instead Cambridge United will redevelop the Abbey Stadium.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-30922217|title=Cambridge United's new stadium plans shelved|work=[[BBC News]]|date=22 January 2015|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> First plans were presented in May 2015, which would increase capacity of the Newmarket Road End, incorporating safe standing, complete redevelopment of the Habbin Terrace and slight expansion to the Main Stand.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Cambridge United bought back the Abbey Stadium in September 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-02 |title=Cambridge United complete Abbey Stadium purchase |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-complete-abbey-stadium-purchase-9272119/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Cambridge Independent |language=en}}</ref> and restarted planning for significant expansion and improvement of the ground, with larger new stands proposed for the terraced Newmarket Road End and Habbin Stand.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-07 |title=Long-term plans in place as United regain Abbey control |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/long-term-plans-in-place-as-united-regain-abbey-control-9272717/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Cambridge Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==Supporters==
[[File:Cambridge United Fans.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cambridge United supporters at Abbey Stadium]]
Cambridge United have a number of supporters' groups and associations, some of which are independently run and some are run by the club itself.<ref name="groups">[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SupportersGroups/0,,10423,00.html Cambridge United – Fans – Supporters' Groups] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824070557/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SupportersGroups/0,,10423,00.html |date=24 August 2007 }} Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> These include: an Away Travel Club, who provide travel to every away game as well as hosting [[fundraising]] events and sponsoring senior players;<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AwayTravel/0,,10423~1072979,00.html Cambridge United – Tickets – Away Travel Club] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011191620/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AwayTravel/0,,10423~1072979,00.html |date=11 October 2008 }} cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> youth group Junior U's;<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/JuniorU/0,,10423,00.html Cambridge United – Fans – Join the Junior U's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824070131/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/JuniorU/0,,10423,00.html |date=24 August 2007 }} Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> Cambridge United Supporters Association, a group giving a voice to the fans in communications with the club and the media;<ref name="groups"/> Vice-presidents Club, who offer match day hospitality packages; and regional associations in [[St Ives, Cambridgeshire|St Ives]], [[East Cambridgeshire]], [[Royston, Hertfordshire|Royston]], [[St Neots]], Bedfordshire and [[Saffron Walden]].<ref name="groups"/>
[[Cambridge Fans United]] is an independent supporters group who are now a significant [[shareholder]] in the club with representation on the fans' behalf on the board of directors.<ref>[http://www.cambridgefansunited.org/whatiscfu.html What is CFU?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021024139/http://www.cambridgefansunited.org/whatiscfu.html |date=21 October 2007 }} [[Cambridge Fans United]]. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> In addition to these supporters' groups, the club currently has one independent [[fanzine]], United in Endeavour, which raises funds for Cambridge Fans United and is sold at home games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeunited-mad.co.uk/sngl/ed22/united_in_endeavour_section/index.shtml |title=United in Endeavour – Cambridge United FC – Amber and Black |publisher=Cambridgeunited-mad.co.uk |date=19 July 2005 |access-date=1 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126175139/http://www.cambridgeunited-mad.co.uk/sngl/ed22/united_in_endeavour_section/index.shtml |archive-date=26 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

During their time in the Conference, attendances at the Abbey were amongst the highest in the league. Cambridge United's first two seasons in the Conference saw them post the fourth-highest average attendance figures in both years (2,607 in [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] and 2,815 in [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]]).<ref>[http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/attst.mpl/2005 Attendances 2005/6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624062401/http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/attst.mpl/2005 |date=24 June 2007 }} Confguide. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/attst.mpl/2006 Attendances 2006/7] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205032230/http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/attst.mpl/2006 |date=5 February 2007 }} Confguide. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> They had the third-highest attendances in their final season in the Conference, averaging 3,085 for [[2013–14 in English football|2013–14]].<ref>[http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/aveengnl.htm Attendances 2013/14] european-football-statistics.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2014</ref>

[[SiFive]] became the main sponsor of the Cambridge United F.C. for the [[2022–23 EFL League One|2022/23]] and the [[2023–24 EFL League One|2023/24]] seasons. The partnership is intended to amplify both of their visions to support each other and the community, as well as establish SiFive within the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-04 |title=Cambridge United unveils SiFive as first team kit sponsor |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge-united-unveils-sifive-as-first-team-kit-sponsor-9267609/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Cambridge Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SiFive arrives on the pitch in Cambridge |url=https://www.sifive.com/blog/sifive-arrives-on-the-pitch-in-cambridge |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=SiFive |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Rivalries==
Prior to election into the Football League, [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge City]] were regarded as the club's biggest rivals, although the rivalry has since waned significantly.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/4414265.stm | work=BBC News | first=Andrew | last=McKenzie | title=Cambridge could be re-united | date=6 April 2005}}</ref> [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] are considered to be their current main rivals, something that was recognised in a survey by the [[Football Fans Census]] as a reciprocated feeling, where the two sides contest the [[Cambridgeshire derby]]. This is despite the fact the two clubs have experienced many seasons in separate divisions.<ref name="footballfanscensus1">[http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf Club Rivalries Uncovered] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328071209/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |date=28 March 2013 }} [[Football Fans Census]]. Retrieved 19 July 2007</ref> Other lesser rivalries include those with [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]],<ref name="footballfanscensus1"/> [[Colchester United]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |title=RIVALRY UNCOVERED! |work=The Football Fans Census |access-date=25 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074918/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> [[Luton Town]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.localsecrets.com/ezine.cfm?ezineid=2812~us+in+derby+deadlock+sports+and+outdoor | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429192853/http://www.localsecrets.com/ezine.cfm?ezineid=2812~us+in+derby+deadlock+sports+and+outdoor | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 April 2014 | title=U's in derby deadlock | work=Local Secrets | date=20 November 2011 | access-date=6 August 2012 | author=Coe, Robert }}</ref> and [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2018/august/stevenage-v-cambridge-tickets-saturday-1st-september-2018-efl-sky-bet-league-two/|title=Don't miss Saturday's big Cambridge derby}}</ref>

==Players==

===Current squad===
{{updated|1 September 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/Teams/first_team_players/ |title=First Team |publisher=Cambridge United F.C |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>
{{fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Jake Eastwood]]}}
{{fs player|no=2 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Liam Bennett (footballer)|Liam Bennett]]}}
{{fs player|no=3 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Ben Purrington]]}}
{{fs player|no=4 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Dominic Ball]]}}
{{fs player|no=5 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Michael Morrison (footballer)|Michael Morrison]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{fs player|no=6 |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Kelland Watts]]}}
{{fs player|no=7 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[James Brophy (footballer)|James Brophy]]}}
{{fs player|no=8 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Korey Smith]]}}
{{fs player|no=9 |nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Louis Appéré]]}}
{{fs player|no=10|nat=COD|pos=FW|name=[[Elias Kachunga]]}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=SLE|pos=FW|name=[[Sullay Kaikai]]}}
{{fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Ben Knight (footballer)|Ben Knight]]}}
{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Adam Mayor]]|other=on loan from [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Zeno Ibsen Rossi]]}}
{{fs player|no=17|nat=COD|pos=MF|name=[[Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu]]}}
{{fs player|no=18|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Ryan Loft]]}}
{{fs player|no=19|nat=NIR|pos=FW|name=[[Shayne Lavery]]}}
{{fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Kylian Kouassi]]|other=on loan from [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]}}
{{fs player|no=21|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=[[Shane McLoughlin]]}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Zak Bradshaw]]}}
{{fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Mamadou Jobe]]}}
{{fs player|no=25|nat=WAL|pos=GK|name=Ben Hughes}}
{{fs player|no=26|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[James Gibbons (footballer)|James Gibbons]]}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=[[Glenn McConnell (footballer)|Glenn McConnell]]}}
{{fs player|no=38|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[George Hoddle]]}}
{{fs player|no=40|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=George Munday}}
{{fs end}}

==== Out on loan ====

{{fs start}}
{{fs end}}

===Reserves and Centre of Excellence===
Before relegation from the [[Football League]] in 2005, Cambridge United entered a reserve team in the [[Football Combination]]. However, this ceased following financial difficulties which meant the club could not guarantee being able to put out a team for every game. In 2006 United formed [[Cambridge Regional College F.C.|Cambridge Regional College]] as a de facto reserve team and entered them in the [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League]] Premier Division.<ref name="Reserve Preview"/> [[the Football Association|FA]] rules prohibit reserve teams playing at certain levels of the [[English football league system|football pyramid]], and so the [[Cambridge Regional College|CRC]] name was adopted in recognition of the college's financial support, and because the team is made up almost entirely of the college's students.<ref name="Reserve Preview">{{cite news | url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/CRCScholarsReports/0,,10423~880385,00.html | title=Reserve Preview | publisher=Cambridge United | date=10 August 2006 | access-date=13 November 2011 | archive-date=6 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406101508/https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/CRCScholarsReports/0,,10423~880385,00.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Cambridge United's Centre of Excellence is widely regarded throughout professional football circles as one of the best in England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/COENews/0,,10423~1082778,00.html |title=Centre of Excellence |website=www.cambridge-united.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313182805/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/COENews/0%2C%2C10423~1082778%2C00.html |archive-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> Many players have come through the youth team to establish themselves as first team players at Cambridge (for example [[Dan Gleeson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=34942 |title=Dan Gleeson &#124; Football Stats &#124; Lowestoft T &#124; Age 27 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> [[Daniel Chillingworth]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18616 |title=Daniel Chillingworth &#124; Football Stats &#124; No Club &#124; Age 30 &#124; 1999–2008 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> [[Robbie Willmott]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=47263 |title=Robbie Willmott &#124; Football Stats &#124; Cambridge United &#124; Age 22 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> and Josh Coulson<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=52177 |title=Josh Coulsen &#124; Football Stats &#124; Cambridge United &#124; Age 23 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>) and go on to play at a higher level (recent examples include [[John Ruddy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=38215 |title=John Ruddy &#124; Football Stats &#124; Norwich City &#124; Age 25 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> [[Michael Morrison (footballer)|Michael Morrison]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=41763 |title=Michael Morrison &#124; Football Stats &#124; Charlton Athletic &#124; Age 24 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> and [[Josh Simpson (English footballer)|Josh Simpson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=42812 |title=Josh Simpson &#124; Football Stats &#124; Crawley Town &#124; Age 25 |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>). Wales international [[Jack Collison]] was in the youth squads for several years before joining [[West Ham United]]'s youth academy after the centre closed down following relegation to the [[Conference Premier]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Jack Collison is happy to have the support of West Ham's extended family|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/24/jack-collison-west-ham-united|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 October 2009|access-date=29 October 2009| location=London | first=Daniel | last=Taylor}}</ref>

The youth team won their division of the [[Football League Youth Alliance]] in both [[2003-04 in English football|2003–04]] and [[2004-05 in English football|2004–05]],<ref>[http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/U18TablesDetail/0,,10794~664539,00.html Football League Youth Alliance 2004/05 Tables]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} from football-league.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref> showing the strength of the club's Centre of Excellence. The club's success in the [[FA Youth Cup]] in recent years has also far surpassed its expectation given the level of the parent club – in [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] the team was the highest placed non-league team reaching the Fourth Round after seven games (including qualifying games).<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/YouthFixtures/0,,10423,00.html Youth Cup Results]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} from Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref>

===Notable former players===
* ''For all former players with a Wikipedia article see [[:Category:Cambridge United F.C. players]]''

Notable players include [[Wilf Mannion]], the only former Cambridge United player to be inducted into the [[English Football Hall of Fame]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/halloffame.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701082828/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/halloffame.htm |archive-date=1 July 2007 |access-date=19 July 2007 |publisher=[[National Football Museum]]}}</ref> [[Brian Moore (footballer, born 1933)|Brian Moore]], former [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] player who scored a club record 68 goals in [[1957–58 in English football|1957–58]] despite blindness in one eye,<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2006 |title=Cambridge mourn legendary Moore |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/5324658.stm |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> and [[Lindsay Smith (English footballer)|Lindsay Smith]], voted Cambridge United's all-time cult hero in a poll for [[BBC Sport]]'s ''[[Football Focus]]'' in August 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2004 |title=Cambridge's cult heroes |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/3934211.stm |access-date=19 July 2007 |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>
Others include [[Dion Dublin]], who went on to score 119 [[Premier League]] goals and receive four [[England national football team|England]] caps, and [[Luke Berry]], cult hero who finished as United's top scorer in various seasons and played for [[Luton Town]] in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season.
<ref>={{Cite news |date=17 June 2024 |title=Charlton sign midfielder Berry after Luton exit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp33l560580o |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

==Club management==

===Club staff===
{{updated|21 May 2025}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/club/whos-who/ | title=Who's who | work=Cambridge United official website | access-date=15 January 2018 | archive-date=11 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811090223/https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/club/whos-who/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Position
!Staff
|-
|Chairman|| Shaun Grady
|-
|Chief executive officer|| Alex Tunbridge
|-
|Director of Football || [[Mark Bonner (football manager)|Mark Bonner]]
|-
|Head coach|| [[Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)|Neil Harris]]
|-
|Assistant head coach|| [[Adam Barrett]]
|-
|Assistant head coach|| [[Barry Corr]]
|-
|First-team goalkeeper coach|| [[Martin Davies (footballer)|Martin Davies]]
|-
|Head of performance|| Jack Manuel
|-
|Head of medical|| Hayden Clifton
|-
|Head of recruitment|| Nick Tyler-Hicks
|-
|Kit manager|| Jamie Cozens
|-
|Recruitment analyst|| Wayne Blackman
|-
|Club doctor|| Dr Boudjema Boukersi
|-
|Stadium manager|| Ian Darler
|-
|Finance Manager|| Anthony Jones
|-
|Academy manager|| Dominic Knighton
|-
|Senior academy physiotherapist
|''Vacant''
|-
|-
|Head of academy coaching|| Liam Bloye
|-
|Professional development-phase lead coach|| [[Liam O'Neil (footballer)|Liam O'Neil]] 
|-
|Youth development-phase lead coach|| Dario Seminerio
|-
|Foundation development-phase lead coach|| James Nicholas
|-
|Hospitality manager|| Dougie Macandrew
|-
|Supporter engagement officer|| Amelia Edwards
|}

===Managerial history===
{{Main article|List of Cambridge United F.C. managers}}

Since joining the Football League in 1970, Cambridge United has had twenty-five full-time managers as well as many [[Caretaker manager|caretakers]] and [[player-manager]]s.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Name!!Years
|-
|align="left"|[[Bill Leivers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=151|title=Bill Leiver's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001064728/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=151|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1967–74
|-
|align="left"|[[Ron Atkinson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1082|title=Ron Atkinson's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105215036/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1082|archive-date=5 November 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1974–78
|-
|align="left"|[[John Docherty (footballer, born 1940)|John Docherty]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=798|title=John Docherty's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930230112/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=798|archive-date=30 September 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1978–83
|-
|align="left"|[[John Ryan (footballer born 1947)|John Ryan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=836|title=John Ryan's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224181032/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=836|archive-date=24 February 2005|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1984–85
|-
|align="left"|[[Ken Shellito]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=880|title=Ken Shellito's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203134302/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=880|archive-date=3 February 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1985
|-
|align="left"|[[Chris Turner (footballer born 1951)|Chris Turner]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=287|title=Christopher Turner's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000122/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=287|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1986–90
|-
|align="left"|[[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=781|title=John Beck's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061537/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=781|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1990–92
|-
|align="left"|[[Gary Johnson (footballer, born 1955)|Gary Johnson]] ''(caretaker)''<ref name="Gary Johnson’s managerial career">{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=481|title=Gary Johnson's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001150919/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=481|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1992
|-
|align="left"|[[Ian Atkins]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=622|title=Ian Atkins' managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001105220/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=622|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1992–93
|-
|align="left"|[[Gary Johnson (footballer, born 1955)|Gary Johnson]]<ref name="Gary Johnson’s managerial career"/>||1993–95
|-
|align="left"|[[Tommy Taylor (footballer b. 1951)|Tommy Taylor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1239|title=Tommy Taylor's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001091448/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1239|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1995–96
|-
|align="left"|[[Roy McFarland]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1107|title=Roy McFarland's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001201910/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1107|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||1996–2001
|-
|align="left"|[[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]]<ref name="auto"/>||2001
|-
|align="left"|[[John Taylor (footballer, born 1964)|John Taylor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1766|title=John Taylor's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224181152/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1766|archive-date=24 February 2005|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2001–04
|-
|align="left"|Dale Brooks ''(caretaker)''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1898|title=Dale Brook's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001200829/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1898|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2004
|-
|align="left"|[[Claude Le Roy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1901|title=Claude Le Roy's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224181203/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1901|archive-date=24 February 2005|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2004
|-
|align="left"|[[Herve Renard]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1987|title=Herve Renard's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001104959/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1987|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2004
|-
|align="left"|Ricky Duncan ''(caretaker)''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1988|title=Ricky Duncan's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224181214/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1988|archive-date=24 February 2005|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2004
|-
|align="left"|[[Steve Thompson (footballer born 1955)|Steve Thompson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1158|title=Steve Thompson's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001021156/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1158|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2004–05
|-
|align="left"|[[Rob Newman (footballer)|Rob Newman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1738|title=Rob Newman's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061945/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1738|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2005–06
|-
|align="left"|[[Lee Power]] ''(caretaker)''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2043|title=Lee Power's managerial career|work=Soccerbase|access-date=15 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001215441/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=2043|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2006
|-
|align="left"|[[Jimmy Quinn (Northern Irish footballer)|Jimmy Quinn]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2006,00.html|title=Cambridge United 2006/07 Results|work=Cambridge United official website|access-date=15 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013134003/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2006%2C00.html|archive-date=13 October 2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2007,00.html|title=Cambridge United 2007/08 Results|work=cambridge-united.co.uk|access-date=12 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624053749/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2007%2C00.html|archive-date=24 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2006–08
|-
|align="left"|[[Gary Brabin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2008,00.html|title=Cambridge United 2008/09 Results|work=Cambridge United official website|access-date=12 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218082636/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2008%2C00.html|archive-date=18 December 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ||2008–09
|-
|align="left"|[[Paul Carden]] ''(caretaker)''<ref name="Cambridge United 2009/10 Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2009,00.html|title=Cambridge United 2009/10 Results|work=Cambridge United official website|access-date=12 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218081420/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2009%2C00.html|archive-date=18 December 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>||2009
|-
|align="left"|[[Martin Ling]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?search=Martin+Ling&manager_id=1874&type=manager |title=Martin Ling |work=[[Soccerbase]] |access-date=2 February 2010}}</ref>||2009–11
|-
|align="left"|[[Jez George]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2384 |title=Jez George |work=[[Soccerbase]] |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref>||2011–12
|-
|align="left"|[[Richard Money]]||2012–15
|-
|align="left"|[[Shaun Derry]]||2015–18
|-
|align="left"|[[Joe Dunne]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Dunne departs struggling Cambridge United |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2018-12-01/joe-dunne-departs-struggling-cambridge-united/ |access-date=1 December 2018 |work=[[ITV News]] |date=1 December 2018}}</ref>||2018
|-
|align="left"|[[Colin Calderwood]]||2018–20
|-
|align="left"|[[Mark Bonner (football manager)|Mark Bonner]]<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-03-09|title=Mark Bonner: Cambridge United name caretaker boss as permanent head coach|language=en-gb|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51803999|access-date=2020-06-23}}</ref>
|2020–23
|-
|align="left"|[[Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)|Neil Harris]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Neil Harris appointed Head Coach |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2023/december/neil-harris-cambridge-united-head-coach-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-wednesday-6-december-2023/ |access-date=6 December 2023 |publisher=Cambridge United FC |date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
|2023–24
|-
|align="left"|[[Barry Corr]] (''caretaker'')<ref>{{Cite web |title= Barry Corr: Cambridge United interim boss says his stay will be 'short' after Mark Bonner sacking
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67588298
|access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.bbc.co.uk/sport |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|2023, 2024
|-
|align="left"|[[Garry Monk]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Garry Monk appointed new Head Coach |url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2024/march/garry-monk-new-head-coach-cambridge-united-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-sunday-3-march-2024/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=www.cambridge-united.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|2024–25
|-
|align="left"|[[Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)|Neil Harris]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Neil Harris appointed Head Coach, Mark Bonner appointed Director of Football |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/neil-harris-appointed-head-coach-mark-bonner-appointed-director-football |access-date=20 February 2025 |publisher=Cambridge United FC |date=19 February 2025}}</ref>
|2025–
|}

==Honours==

'''League'''
*[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] (level 3)
**Champions: [[1990–91 Football League|1990–91]]
**Runners-up: [[1977–78 Football League|1977–78]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Football Statistics Archive |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1977-78.html |access-date=1 September 2012 |publisher=Rsssf.com}}</ref>
*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4)
**Champions: [[1976–77 Football League|1976–77]]
**Runners-up: [[1998–99 Football League|1998–99]],<ref>{{cite web |date=17 July 2000 |title=England 1998/99 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1998-99.html |access-date=1 September 2012 |publisher=Rsssf.com}}</ref> [[2020–21 EFL League Two|2020–21]]
**Promoted: [[1972–73 Football League|1972–73]]<ref name="honours" />
**Play-off winners: [[1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|1990]]
*[[National League (division)|Conference Premier]] (level 5)
**Play-off winners: [[2014 Conference Premier play-off final|2014]]
*[[Southern Football League|Southern League]]
**Champions: [[1968–69 Southern Football League|1968–69]], [[1969–70 Southern Football League|1969–70]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsouthernleaghist.html | title=England – Southern League Final Tables | work=RSSSF | access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>

'''Cup'''
*[[Football League Trophy]]
**Runners-up: [[2001–02 Football League Trophy|2001–02]]
*[[FA Trophy]]
**Winners: [[2013–14 FA Trophy|2013–14]]<ref name="honours" />
*[[Southern Football League Cup (England)|Southern League Cup]]
**Winners: 1968–69<ref>{{cite book |last=Edwards |first=Leigh |title=The Official Centenary History of the Southern League |publisher=Paper Plane Publishing |location=[[Halesowen]] |year=1993 |isbn=978-1-871872-08-8 |page=58}}</ref>

==Club records==

'''Scorelines'''
*Biggest league win:
** '''7–0''' (v [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]], [[Football League Two|League Two]], 19 April 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge-United-7-Morecambe-0-Shaun-Derry/story-29142066-detail/story.html|title=Cambridge United 7 Morecambe 0: Shaun Derry delighted at U's record-breaking win|date=20 April 2016|access-date=20 April 2016|website=Cambridge News}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
** '''7–0''' (v [[Weymouth F.C.|Weymouth]], [[Conference Premier]], March 2007)<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10423~35980,00.html Match Report: Cambridge United v. Weymouth]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 15 July 2007.</ref>
**'''7–0''' (v [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]], [[Conference Premier]], September 2009)<ref>[http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~50076,00.html Match Report: Cambridge United v. Forest Green Rovers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909050037/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~50076,00.html |date=9 September 2009 }} Cambridge United official website. Retrieved 5 September 2009.</ref>
*Biggest cup win:
**'''5–1''' (v [[Bristol City]], FA Cup 5th round second replay, February 1990)
**'''4–0''' (v [[Sheffield Wednesday]], FA Cup 5th round, February 1991)
**'''4–0''' (v [[Coventry City]] FA Cup 2nd round, December 2016)
**'''4-0''' (v [[Fleetwood Town]] FA Cup 2nd round, December 2023)
*Biggest league defeat:
** '''0–7''' (v [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]], League Two, November 2017)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united/cambridge-united-fall-to-record-league-defeat-in-loss-to-luton-town-1-5287405|title=Cambridge United fall to record League defeat in loss to Luton Town|last=Taylor|first=Mark|work=Cambridge Independent|access-date=2017-11-22|language=en}}</ref>
*Biggest cup defeat:
**'''0–7''' (v [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], League Cup second round, October 2002)<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/02/match.sport1 Rush of goals brings relief at last to Reid] The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2002.</ref>

'''Players'''
*Most goals in one game: '''5''' – [[Steve Butler (footballer)|Steve Butler]] (v [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]], April 1994)<ref name="honours" />
*Most League appearances: '''416''' – [[Steve Spriggs]] (1975–1987)<ref name="honours" />
*Most League goals in one season: '''32''' – [[Paul Mullin (footballer, born 1994)|Paul Mullin]] (EFL League Two, 2020–21)<ref name="honours" />
*Youngest player: [[Ben Worman]] – '''16 years''' (v [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]], 7 November 2017)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Georgeson|first1=Andrew|title=Ben Worman's cameo was a "fantastic" experience|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/ben-wormans-debut-fantastic-experience-13875985|access-date=23 April 2018|work=Cambridge News|date=8 November 2017}}</ref>
*Oldest player: [[John Taylor (footballer, born 1964)|John Taylor]] – '''39 years''' (during [[2003-04 in English football|2003–04]] season)<ref name="honours" />
*Highest transfer fee paid: '''£190,000''' – [[Steve Claridge]] (from [[Luton Town]], November 1992)<ref name="honours" />
*Highest transfer fee received: '''£1,500,000''' – [[Trevor Benjamin]] (to [[Leicester City]], July 2000)<ref name="honours" />

'''Club'''
*Highest league finish: '''5th''' in [[1991-92 Football League Second Division]] (second tier)<ref name="1991–92">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1991-92.html |title=Football Statistics Archive |publisher=Rsssf.com |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: '''Quarter-finalists''', [[1989–90 FA Cup|1989–90]], [[1990–91 FA Cup|1990–91]]<ref name="honours" />
*Best [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup]] performance: '''Quarter-finalists''', [[1992–93 Football League Cup|1992–93]]<ref name="honours" />
*Best [[EFL Trophy|Football League Trophy]] performance: '''Runners-up''', [[2002 Football League Trophy Final|2001–02]]<ref name="Footballleaguetrophy"/>
*Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: '''Winners''', [[2014 FA Trophy Final|2013–14]]<ref name="honours" />
*Most League Points in a Season: '''86''' (Division Three, 1990–91), (Conference, 2007–08 & 2008–09)<ref name="honours" />
*Most League Goals in a Season: '''87''' (Division Four, [[1976-77 Football League|1976–77]])<ref name="honours" />
*Record Attendance: '''14,000''' (v [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], May 1970)<ref name="honours" />

==Charity (Cambridge United Community Trust)==
Cambridge United Community Trust (CUCT) is the charity wing of Cambridge United Football Club.

CUCT was founded after Cambridge United were relegated from the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cuctrust.co.uk/about-cuct/history/|title=History {{!}} Cambridge United Community Trust|website=www.cuctrust.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-07-02|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526111406/https://www.cuctrust.co.uk/about-cuct/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The charity's stated mission is: "To place Cambridge United at the heart of a community where individuals respect each other and themselves, are empowered to maximise their potential and have the inspiration to fulfil this potential."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cuctrust.co.uk/about-cuct/|title=About CUCT {{!}} Cambridge United Community Trust|website=www.cuctrust.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-07-02}}</ref>

The charity operates in primary schools across Cambridgeshire including in a partnership with [[AstraZeneca|AstraZenenca]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2015/november/cambridge-united-community-trust-announce-astrazeneca-collaboration/|title=CAMBRIDGE UNITED COMMUNITY TRUST ANNOUNCE ASTRAZENECA COLLABORATION|access-date=2017-07-02|language=en}}</ref> CUCT also delivers both health and inclusion work in the city of Cambridge.

The charity's current CEO is Ben Szreter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ben-szreter-appointed-new-head-12401941|title=Ben Szreter appointed new head of Cambridge United Community Trust|last=Beyeler|first=Marc|date=2017-01-04|work=cambridgenews|access-date=2017-07-02}}</ref>

==Women's team==
There is an affiliated women's team called [[Cambridge United W.F.C.]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-women-afc-wimbledon-15036213|title=New-look Cambridge United Women's team ready for the season to start|first=Andrew|last=Georgeson|date=16 August 2018|website=cambridgenews}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/teams/england/cambridge-city-lfc/9542/|title=England – Cambridge United WFC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book | author=Attmore, Brian | title=Cambridge United FC (100 Greats)| publisher=NPI Media Group| year=2002| isbn=978-0-7524-2724-9}}
*{{cite book |author1=Attmore, Brian  |author2=Nurse, Graham | title=Cambridge United FC – Images of Sport | publisher=NPI Media Group| year=2001| isbn=978-0-7524-2256-5}}
*{{cite book | author=Daw, Paul | title=United in Endeavour: History of Abbey United/Cambridge United Football Club, 1912–88| publisher=Dawn Publications| year=1988| isbn=978-0-9514108-0-6}}
*{{cite book | author=Palmer, Kevin | title=Cambridge United: The League Era – A Complete Record| publisher=Desert Island Books| year=2000| isbn=978-1-874287-32-2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cambridge United F.C.}}
* [http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/ cambridge-united.co.uk] – official website of the club
* [http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/ Cambridge United news]: Cambridge United news from Cambridge News
* [http://www.cambridgefansunited.org/ Cambridge Fans United]: website of [[Cambridge Fans United]], the main fans' group associated with Cambridge United and a significant shareholder in the club

{{BBC football info|cambridge-united|Cambridge United}}

{{Cambridge United F.C.}}
{{Cambridge United F.C. seasons}}
{{Football League Two}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cambridge United F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1912]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Sport in Cambridge]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:East Anglian League]]
[[Category:Eastern Counties Football League]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:National League (English football) clubs]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Professional football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]