A CELEBRATION OF CAMBRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB
Don Rowlands Centre
Lake Karapiro
Saturday March 25, 2023
Reasons to celebrate
On our club’s 75th anniversay, I thought it might be timely to share a few thoughts on what makes a great football club. If it was just about winning trophies, there’d be very few clubs you’d consider ‘great’.
If it was just about size, having the most members or supporters, there’d also be very few … and not all big clubs are great by any means. No, for me a club becomes great when you feel it’s where you belong. It’s the club that you’re proud of because of what it stands for and the friendships you make through it.
I have three teams, or clubs, that make me feel like that.
As many of you know, I’m a Watford fan. There’s no way I would support that club if I just measured it by trophies or its attendances. But when I lived in the UK, they were the club that I admired for how they did things. I felt part of that club, and still do, even though I live on the other side of the world.
My second team are the All Whites. They represent me. I want them to do well. I love that they punch above their weight and even though it can be frustrating at times, I’m loyal to them.
But my first love, my dearest club, is Cambridge.
I’ve been part of this club for more than 40 years, as a junior, as a coach, as an administrator and as its president.
During my time, I’ve seen us go through good times and through not-so-good times. No matter, my loyalty has never wavered. My passion for this club has never been in doubt.
When I ask myself why, I realise it’s because this club has so many other people who feel just the same. We’re in this together.
And like any family, it’s those people who get each other through the difficult times, or help us make the most of things when times are good.
Or when it’s time to celebrate, like tonight.
— Peter Martens, QSM, Club President
