Ian Mather CEO
As we kick off our League One campaign it is good to welcome Oxford United to the Abbey for the first time since 2016. Oxford are tipped for great things after reaching the playoffs last season. They will, no doubt, be tough opposition – as will all of the teams we play in the coming months. This is a big day, not only for us, but for football and wider society. Not only is it our first game in League One in 20 years. It is also the first time we have been allowed to have an unrestricted crowd since March 2020. The time since then has been very difficult for many and for the U’s, including Oxford in this as well, the last 16 months have been a rollercoaster in dealing with lots of problems that we hope never to have to face again. It is fitting, as we emerge from the COVID pandemic, that today’s match sponsor is AstraZeneca. AZ are amazing Community Sponsors for the club and when the fixture list came out there could only be one match sponsor for this game. It is fair to say that without the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine we would probably not have a crowd in today. It is the vaccination programme that has got us to where we are. If you are over 18 and have not yet had a jab, then please do so. If in doubt, look up the
Tweet from Luke Hannant last Sunday: “being anti jab to wanting every jab possible after these 10 days wow.” And: “I never thought it would affect me the way it did, as I am young, fit and healthy, however I will be getting my jabs now and urge everyone else to do so, the pain I was in this week I never want to experience again!” It is not just for you but for the benefit of all. Let’s work together to make this place as safe as can be and enjoy unrestricted crowds for the season. We had a good taster of the atmosphere fans add at Harrison Dunk’s testimonial v QPR and also the game last Saturday v Northampton. The support for the team around the ground was brilliant to hear. With some clubs bringing very large followings we can expect a number big crowds, and a few capacity sell outs. I am sure that the U’s fans will rise to the challenge of noisy visitors. In the words of a famous chef from Norfolk – “let’s be having you!” Before we kick a ball this season, most pundits tip us for relegation. Then again, they were wrong last year and everyone at the club is focused on proving them wrong again. The motto, United in Endeavour, was very appropriate last season, as it will be this. Thank you for your support and enjoy the game. ■ www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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