Memories Down CUT THROAT LANE Evening, all. I always think it makes sense to play Wednesday on a Tuesday, don’t you? We haven’t lost at home to the Owls in the league since March 1984 so let’s hope that weighs heavy on their minds. On our trip down Cut Throat Lane this evening we are travelling 22 seasons back to the Roy MacFarland era and life in the third tier following promotion the previous season. A miserable Tuesday night in October and a crowd of just 4,328 witnessed a sorry 1-0 defeat against Burnley from United’s perspective. All this after a rip-roaring derby win vs Colchester United the previous Friday evening. The Clarets doubled us that season and we haven’t met them since! Flicking through the programme it is good to see Martin Butler had pocketed his second hat-trick of his U’s career against said Colchester. I remember his first, coming in a 7-2 win against Mansfield.
I loved General Manager Colin Davies’ optimism with his vision of a refurbished Abbey in a few years’ time. Finally, some interesting names in the Burnley squad. Merry-go-round manager Micky Mellon, Paul Crichton in goal, another ex-U Tom Cowan and even the lead singer of The Jam and Style Council graced the side at that time. On this day in 1973, the Sydney Opera House was officially opened by the Queen. Designed by a Dane, it was estimated to take four years to build but took 14. The original budget was seven million dollars, but in the end it cost $102 million. The roof has over one million tiles, all shipped from Sweden. And it meant employment for 10,000 construction workers. You are truly enriched. Enjoy yourselves. ■
Harry
CLICK here TO READ THE ARCHIVE PROGRAMME www.cambridge-united.co.uk
19