View from the Press Box Doug Shulman Here we are then, a first season back in the third tier of English football for Cambridge United since 2001/02, when their campaign began under the stewardship of John Beck – his second spell in charge at the Abbey. Many here today will not even recall that season, which I guess is a barometer of just how long the U’s have been away and how tumultuous that 19-year return has been at times. However, last season proved exceptional for Mark Bonner’s men, as they provided us all with some fantastic football throughout and, ultimately, the much-deserved prize of promotion. The pity of course, is that U’s fans were deprived of seeing the team play at the Abbey - barring a handful of games – so let’s hope they can put on a show or two as the new campaign begins, to welcome everyone back. Mark Johnson and I, as well as our colleagues in the press box, were very fortunate in being able to attend matches last year and, I have to say, I personally felt privileged to be able to witness and be involved in some memorable days, whilst bringing the live action to you all at home across the airwaves. It simply wasn’t the same being there without you, though, and this was brought into sharp focus with the 3,000 plus crowd at Harrison’s testimonial last Tuesday week, which sounded more like 5,000 at times! We’ll be visiting some grounds this season which we have not clapped eyes on in many years, with the trips to Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Charlton and Sunderland, having no doubt been excitingly ringed in red in the diary. Mark Bonner will be mindful not to make the season a sight-seeing tour for his charges, though, as he looks to continue the upward curve of progression he has created. The journey certainly doesn’t stop here following last season’s success, so let’s hope we can all embrace, together, the nine months that lie ahead. Enjoy the ride! ■
“It simply wasn’t the same being there without you, though, and this was brought into sharp focus with the 3,000 plus crowd at Harrison’s testimonial last Tuesday week, which sounded more like 5,000 at times!” www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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