View from the Press Box Doug Shulman Last Saturday’s win at Portsmouth turned out to be a fantastic away trip in many respects. A sunny day by the sea, an almost perfect performance from the U’s and a brilliant reaction to both the result and display against Lincoln, last time out at the Abbey. I had been wondering for some years, whether I would ever see the U’s record a win over Portsmouth, having watched only two draws in my time following the club’s fortunes. The first being a 0-0 home League Cup draw in 2000 and, in 1992, a game in which the U’s took a 2-0 lead through Steve Claridge and Richard Wilkins, only to allow Pompey to grab a point in the 2nd half. It is rare for a side to have that level of hold over another so, after 16 winless matches stretching back to March 1978, it was tremendous to be able to cover the breaking of that particular mould. A delight for the travelling fans and also a fine way for my commentary colleague Mark Johnson to mark his 1,000th game covering the U’s for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire! On the pitch, the U’s performed with all the endeavour, grit and discipline which has become a hallmark of Mark Bonner’s side. Fratton Park can be an imposing place to visit, with home fans playing a big part in their strong record on the south coast, but the crowd were silenced after Joe Ironside’s opener and even more so when Liam O’Neil spectacularly volleyed in the second. The 544 United supporters certainly made themselves heard and, as the game wore on, it was them rather than the home fans we could hear high up in the press box. Today sees Fleetwood visit the Abbey. The Cod Army have successfully established themselves as a Football League club since promotion from the Conference in 2012 and deserve huge credit for doing so. In stark contrast, it is sad to see both Oldham and Derby County now suffering, as a result
of poor financial management and, in part, a disregard for supporters and the key role they play. Derby – a Football League club since 1888 – look set to enter administration having overspent trying to reach the Premier League and, therefore, face a possible 21-point deduction when coupled with a charge for breaching amortisation rules within their accounts. Oldham meanwhile, lie bottom of League Two and also face administration, with the club failing to meet salary payments and alienating fans who have been invading the pitch on a match day to protest. Let us hope that Oldham - in the top four divisions since 1907 – likewise Derby, find a way to resolve their issues. ■ www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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