Ian Mather CEO
Welcome to AFC Wimbledon, a team that The U’s have only played four times before. There were a couple of games against the predecessor club Wimbledon FC in the 1980’s. The club dates back to 1889 and played at Plough Lane in Wimbledon before it moved and played their first game in Milton Keynes in 2003 as Milton Keynes Dons. AFC Wimbledon was created by a group of supporters who could not accept the idea that their club would play 56 miles away in a place with no connection with their historical location. It is to their huge credit that they succeeded not only in creating a new club but that this year they are playing once again at a new stadium in Plough Lane, Wimbledon. It comes as no surprise therefore that the Fair Game group of clubs, of which we are a founder member, originated from AFC Wimbledon. A director of the club, and CEO of Fair Game, Niall Couper, will be at the game. One of the objectives of the group is to ensure, probably by way of independent regulation, that the heritage of any club should be protected and that includes not moving the ground away from the town or city which it comes from. Cambridge United have been very happy to sign up to that. Back closer to home, many thanks to the fans who made it up the A1 on Tuesday and also
to the 827 fans who watched on iFollow. This streaming platform works well for keeping fans who can’t travel connected with our games, and it provides additional income to the club. Those watching the game saw an organised, gritty, performance from a team that was hugely disrupted by suspensions and injury. It was great to see Ben Worman make his league debut and do so well. We also appreciate the help from our neighbours, Ipswich Town, in releasing Tomáš Holý on such short notice. He did a good job. Games are coming thick and fast and after today’s game we go to Morecambe on Tuesday for our rearranged fixture. Under current iFollow rules the home team must consent to a rescheduled Saturday game being streamed and we are pleased that Morecambe agreed to do this. I am sure that the hardy souls who have the time and dedication to make the 460-mile round trip on a Tuesday will do so. For many iFollow is the only option and for every pass sold there will be several more watching. EFL and all clubs are monitoring the usage of iFollow and the more people who use the platform the better. It will help make the case for extended coverage in the future. Back to today. Another tough League 1 match. Enjoy the game. ■ www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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