2022/23 - Issue Twelve - Cambridge City

BoardroomGossip

BoardroomGossip

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

I would like to offer a warm welcome to the premier plus stadium to all the Players officials and supporters of Cambridge city our visitors today for this Northern Premier League Midland Division1 game.

Like ourselves, City are working hard to stay out of the danger zone in this very competitive NPL and have pushed themselves in to safer position at this midSeason stage.

Pete and the Lads have had a 2 week break, due to the bad weather conditions around the country and this hopefully will have helped with some of the player who have picked injuries in recent weeks, hopefully they will be fit again and raring to go and secure some much needed wins and points for the second half of the season and steer the Saints to a more competitive position in the league in the back end of the 2022/3 season.

Finally ,I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable afternoon at St Neots Town today and have a safe journey home , Wishing you all a very Happy New year from us all at the Saints, your community club.

Good luck to Peter & the lads for Today and the remaining games in 2023

Yours in Sport.

Barry Barry Barry

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

"Welcome everyone, I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas so far with lots of good times celebrating with friends and family".

WithFirstTeamManagerPeterGill

As we approach this game and look to enter 2023 its important we have a focus and determination in the fight that lay ahead. We know we face a critical period in our fight to survive, that starts today.

In recent weeks our squad has changed significantly, however despite the change in personal we have been dealt some of the same luck as I will explain later. We welcome the following players to the club:

·Liam Hook, vastly experienced midfielder joins from Yaxley.

·JP Dunicliffe, likewise vastly experienced defender also joins from Yaxley.

·Steve Sylvester, defender who joins having played at Marlow and Hoddesdon this season.

·Liam Smyth, forward player who joins from Biggleswade Town, having previously played at Stevenage.

·Alex Solomon, versatile player who we welcome back after a brief period abroad.

·Jack Barnett, midfield player previously at Bedworth.

·Panny Boxer, midfielder who is in his second spell with the club.

We welcome all our new players and hope you enjoy your time with us.

We also said goodbye to Toib Adeyemi and Declan Nche who could not commit to the training and playing schedule, as well as Andre Hassanally who joined Felixstow. We thank those players for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

"Good afternoon and welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s League game versus Cambridge City. We offer a warm welcome to our visitors and hope everyone has had a brilliant Christmas".

FromtheDugout

WithFirstTeamManagerPeterGill

Looking ahead to todays game we know we face a team whose recent form has been strong after making a host of excellent signings. They are a vastly experienced team with an experienced manager who knows the local circuit like no other and always produces competitive teams. We know they carry a big goal threat and have some excellent experience in the backline, alongside a sprinkling of pace throughout the team.

Unfortunately the injury curse has struck again! Here’s an update on the injured players:

·JP – suffered a knee injury in the Shepshed game and has been out since. We hope for the pain and inflammation to settle down soon.

·Steve – landed badly on his ankle in the Corby game and is waiting the results of a scan to find out the extent.

·Panny – Suffered a likely concussion so we will have to monitor his return.

·Liam Smyth – Liam injured his hamstring in training and is likely to be out for the foreseeable.

·Dan Barton – Dan has started his return to training protocol and will be assessed over the next few weeks.

·Charlie Stallard – Suffered a reoccurrence of his ankle injury on his return and will be out until February 2023 at the earliest.

·Joe Tarpey – Joe has a long standing ankle injury that will need a while to settle down before he can consider returning to training. February 2023 is the earliest we are likely to see Joe back.

Now, more than ever, the boys need your support. Please get behind the team today and in the coming months. Up the Saints!

Pete Pete Pete

PitchingInNorthernPremierLeagueMidlandDivision

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BIGGLESWADETOWN 5 STNEOTSTOWN 2

ThiswasaBoxingDaycrackertheresultofwhichwaseffectivelysettledinthefirst14 minutesregardlessofStNeots’subsequentvaliantefforts. Biggleswademusthave thoughtthatSantahadarrivedadaylatewhentheywereawardedtwopenaltykicks beforethematchwasaquarterofanhouroldbutStNeotscertainlycontributedinno smallwaytotheirownmisfortunes. WithDrewRoberts,LeeClarkeandRyanHawkins backinthestartinglineuptherealdisappointmentwastheabsenceofMattMitchelKingrecoveringfromatraininginjurybutStNeotsgreatlystrengthenedsidefromtheir previousmatchwerehopingforsomesignificantrewardfromtheirshorttripdownthe A1. Lockedtogetherinmid-tablegoingintothesecondhalfoftheseasonbothsides havedisappointedsofarthisseasonbutwerehopingforupwardprogressioninthe leaguetableintheNewYear.

Beforesomeofthespectatorshadtakentheirseatsthehomesidehadsetouttheir intentionsasIanReesforcedvisitingkeeperAndyWiltonintoasmartsaveatthefootof hishearpostinthefirstminute.TwominuteslaterChrisMarshburstintothepenalty areatoaimacrosstothefarpostbuttheballstruckdefenderRyanFrateronthearm andtothesurpriseofmanyRefereeJoshFewpointedtothepenaltyspotandbooked theunfortunatedefender. InnihEffiongconfidentlydispatchedthespotkickandjust threeminuteslaterbeforeStNeotshadtimetorecoverfromtheshockTonyBurnett cleverlyturnedhismarkertoshootbeyondthekeepertodoublethelead. StNeots respondedwithafreekickfromRemyGordonthatwastouchedaroundthepostbyIan Brownbutthehomesidewerewellincontrolandafter14minutesEffiongwasleftwith spaceontheleftandhisdangerouslowcrossfoundStNeotsdefenceindisarrayand BrettLongdenfoolishlytuggedtheshirtofCraigDanieltoconcedeasecondpenaltyand deservedlyearnhimselfastraightredcard.OnceagainEffiongcomprehensivelybeat WiltonandthreegoalsadriftStNeotswereleftlookingforamiracle. Theyralliedwith justthreeplayersatthebackandBrownhadtodivebravelyatthefeetofTomMeechan

AnotherStNeotschangeatthebreaksawtheintroductionofStevenage loaneeRobbieSweeneywhoslottedinatfullbackwithGallifordmovingto midfieldandStNeotsreallymadelightofbeingamanshortastheytookthe gametoBiggleswade.After56minutesMeechanlookedtobehemmedinby threedefendersyethestillpulledoutavolleyintotheroofofthenettoreduce thearrearsandnineminuteslaterwhenHawkinswasbroughtdownitwasSt Neotsturntobeawardedapenaltykick.Meechanshouldhavecompletedhis hattrickbuthispoorlystruckattemptwassavedbyBrowntothereliefofhis teammates.HoweverStNeotscontinuedtolookthedominantsidealthough onthebreakEffiongheadedoverbeforebringingthesaveofthematchfrom Wilton.Thelatedregsofanexcitingmatchcontinuedtoproducefurthergoal attemptsasBurnettcutintofireoverthebarandthreeminutesintoadded timeCraigDanielsawhisshotdeflectedpasttheunfortunateWiltonto completethescoringbutWiltonhadthelastwordasheproducedanotherfine savetodenyBurnett.

special festive welcome for our visitors this afternoon who come to St Neots for a league fixture for the first time in six seasons. Cambridge love playing on this ground where they haveneverbeenbeateninaleaguematchsotodayistheopportunityforourladstoreverse that trend. Two draws – one in the league and second in the cup which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat is the best that we have managed so far. Still ground sharing at Histon awaiting the completion of their new development at Sawston, Cambridge are sitting in midtable at present with twenty points from eighteen completed matches. Our return fixture willbeonEasterMonday. This will be the first league match for both sides since the start of the month. On 3rd December whilst our lads were losing 3-1 at Shepshed, Cambridge were at high flying Halesowen where they led 1-0 before losing by the odd goal in three. Then three days later Cambridge travelled to Parson Drove in the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup where they won by the odd goal in seven to progress to the semi-final where they will host Wisbech Town in March2023. Finally on behalf of all at the Premier Plus Stadium may I wish the players, officials and supportersofCambridgeCityFCapeacefulandsuccessful2033.

JWMatchlookingahead

STNEOTSTOWN 1 CAMBRIDGECITY 1

Beaten only once in their last seven games a fourth consecutive draw afforded St Neots another important point towards retaining their Premier Division status next season. Elsewhere Histon were beaten at Bedworth and Paulton lost at home to Dorchester so one more win by St Neots from their last three matches looks to be sufficient to ensure survival. A match that was competitive throughout saw both sides spurn chances in the final ten minutes to snatch all three points, but a draw was a fair result. St Neots have neverbeatenCambridgeatthePremierPlusStadiuminfiveattempts,andthiswastheir first draw other than the Red Insure Cup tie earlier this season when Cambridge went throughonapenaltyshoot-out. St Neots made just one team change with fit again Josh Dawkin coming back from injury to face his former Club with Dan Schiavi relegated to thebench. St Neots looked full of confidence from the start. In their first attack Dawkin lifted a cross into the visitors’ penalty area and arriving late Drew Roberts shot narrowly wide, but Cambridge hit back with an Adam Murray header from a Kaan Fehmi free kick forcinganimportantsavefromAlexArcher.However,StNeotswereenjoyingthebestof the exchanges and after 14 minutes they forged ahead as Lee Clarke crossed from the left and the ball deflected off a defender to Drew Roberts who claimed his third goal in four matches with a perfectly placed volley. It was no less than they deserved and just sixty seconds later with visiting keeper Zac Barrett off his line Dawkin was unfortunate to see his net bound shot blocked.From a Fehmi cross James Hall brought a good save from Archer but St Neots continued to prosper and Peter Clark fired narrowly over the bar after good work by Roberts and Remy Gordon. Clarke then tested Barrett but the visitors should have capitalized from a St Neots defensive slip eight minutes before the break.Tom Ward under hit a back pass which freed up Buster Harradine and he cleverly rounded the advancing Archer but lost control and could only fire into the side netting. The half ended with Hall shooting wildly over the bar as Cambridge tried to level the scores. After Barrett had saved well from a narrow-angled finish by Gordon it was the visiting sidethatstartedthesecondhalfbetter.IeuanLewisshotacrossthefaceofgoalwhenhe hadsupportsquareofhimandthenBrettLongdenhadtoclearoffthelinefromHall. In an attempt to up the pressure still further Cambridge sent on their two remaining substitutes with more than half an hour to play and now St Neots had to defend with skipperAdamTanningoodforminfrontofthebackfour.

SouthernLeaguePremierDivision

The match became very competitive with both sides looking to take advantage of a break from defence but on the hour it was Cambridge who benefitted from their more positive approach as Lee Clarke was judged to have fouled Danny Kelly just inside the penaltyareaandfromtheresultantpenaltyawardJamesHallmadenomistakewiththe perfectlyplacedkicktolevelthescores.FourminuteslaterNeotshadagoodshoutfora penalty of their own as Peter Clark was hauled back but the Referee judged the offence outside the area and booked Harry Norman, but the free kick was wasted. Cambridge substituteCharlieWoolfwasplayedclear,butArcherstuckoutahandtodeflecthisshot and then from a Longden throw Lee Clarke had the ball in the net but was ruled fractionally offside. The last ten minutes saw further chances at either end.Zac Barrett saved brilliantly from a Roberts close range effort and Lee Clarke missed a golden opportunity for St Neots firing the rebound over the bar whilst for the visitors’ Joel Norris was denied by a full length one handed save by Archer. Then in added time Hall was set up by a slick visitors’ attack but he shot high over the bar and the points were shared.

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StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

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StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

St Neots Town 2 Corby Town 0

After a wait of almost three months St Neots Town recorded only their second home victory of the current campaign and on the strength of play and possession their victory could have been greater. The visitors, sixth in the table with only one away league defeat this season, were easily brushed aside and but for an outstanding display by visiting keeper Jason Alexander, the margin of defeat could have been much more emphatic. St Neots displayed a degree of confidence and control not previously seen this season and managed to shrug off the first half injury loss of central defender Steve Sylvester with Panny Boxer slotted in to substitute. He was one of two players rested from the previous match along with Manny Osei who was unwell and their places in the starting line-up were taken by Joe Rider and Declan Nche. Making his club debut as a second half substitute was striker Liam Smyth signed in the week from neighbours Biggleswade Town. From the start St Neots looked determined and skipper Callum Anderson tested the visiting keeper as early as the second minute. The home side then conceded a free kick and home keeper Jamie Greygoose was in action saving Michael Jacklin’s effort well. Then after nine minutes Trey Charles displayed a great change of pace to round the final defender and when his shot was parried Brandon Njoku was on hand to put the ball in the unguarded net. Once ahead St Neots looked comfortable as Liam Hook and Charles both had efforts well saved by the visiting keeper. Then after 21 minutes a second goal –almost a repeat of the first – put St Neots well in control. The goal came from a move through the centre of the park as Charles once again worked his way clear and when Jason Alexander could not hold his fierce finish, Brandon Njoku again was in position to take full advantage. Daniel Collins shot over the bar for the visitors and Greygoose had to produce a reaction save to keep out a close- range effort from a corner but St Neots looked well in control. A Joe Rider shot was well saved at the expense of a corner and then he saw a second effort pushed over the crossbar and in first half added time Charles went clear again forcing Alexander to save bravely at his feet.

CORBYTOWN (H)26-11-2022

Liam Smyth replaced Rider just after the break and his first touch fed Charles whose effort beat the keeper but deflected off the far post. Looking for his hat trick, Njoku shot narrowly wide and then from a lengthy throw by Aaron Smith the ball was headed on for the keeper to push the ball away via a goalpost. St Neots continued to enjoy the bulk of possession and attacking play, but the visiting defence looked resolute, and many openings were snuffed out. The visiting keeper was again in action pushing away another effort from Njoku and from midfield Declan Nche burst through only for his effort to be deflected for another corner. Corby were then reduced to ten men when Scott Floyd picked up a second yellow card and despite the visitors mounting a late allout attack, the St Neots defence never looked like being breached. Charles had deserved some reward for his constant tormenting of the visiting defence but his final chance five minutes from time was blocked rather than saved by the visiting keeper.Just before time St Neots sent on substitute Robbie Mason for his first appearance since mid-October, finishing with three strikers on the pitch.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Lewis, Sylvester, Hook, Nche, Charles, Rider, Njoku

Subs: Boxer (for Sylvester 31 mins), Smyth (for Rider 46 mins), Mason (for Njoku 87 mins) Barnett and Goumou. Cards: none

Goals: Njoku 2 (9 & 21 mins)

Corby Town: Alexander, Thomas, Floyd, Burrows, Gordon, Jacklin, Molyneaux, Matthews, Florian, Collins, Arthur

Subs: Furey (for Arthur 62 mins), Norman (for Jacklin 80 mins), Maddison, Hartley and Slinn.

Cards: Floyd (RED - 2Y – 20 & 80 mins), Arthur (Y – 46 mins), Jacklin (Y – 66 mins), Gordon (Y – 86 mins) Goals: none

Attendance: 294 Referee: Mark Simmons (Ramsey) John Walker

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

Shepshed Dynamo 3 St Neots Town 1

An impressive second half display by St Neots did little to offset a poor first 45 minutes. Conceding two goals in the first four minutes of the game gave the visitors what proved to be an impossible task against a home side who displayed the importance of defending stoutly when St Neots produced their much improved second half comeback. The first half loss of full back Jon-Paul Duncliffe to injury did little to boost St Neots’ confidence but they can take some comfort from their spirited second half response. However, on the downside with home victories on the day for Daventry Town and Hinckley LRFC, St Neots became further detached from the sides above them in the league table. They are beginning to look doomed to a second half of season relegation scrap.Only one team change from the winning side the previous Saturday was made – this enforced because of the injury sustained by Steven Sylvester, with Panny Boxer brought back to the heart of the defence.

The opening four minutes of the match proved pivotal to the outcome of the contest. In Shepshed’s first attack after just two minutes St Neots conceded a free kick wide on the left and then watched as Cam Moore rose high above the defence to head across goal for Reece Morris to net from close range at the far post. Worse was to follow for two minutes further into the match Morris picked out Zayn Hakeem who got a fortune rebound off a defender to add a second goal. Shell-shocked St Neots responded well, and a Trey Charles shot was blocked. and Liam Hook followed up but off balance could only fire over the bar. St Neots custodian Jamie Greygoose then produced an outstanding reflex save to push a free header from Toby Ritzema over the bar from a Moore corner whilst at the other end St Neots were bombarding the home goal without success. Charles saw a shot deflected over the bar by a defender, a Joe Rider effort was also deflected and Panny Boxer saw his effort cleated off the line with the home keeper beaten. Then seven minutes before the break a long ball from deep in defence saw the speedy Zayn Hakeem outpace the St Neots defence to add a third goal.

St Neots replaced Rider with Robbie Mason after the break and within seven minutes he made his presence felt with a neat flick to find Trey Charles who rounded his marker to pull a goal back for St Neots. That could have sparked a revival, but the home defence was stubbornly uncompromising despite St Neots enjoying the much greater share of possession. From an Aaron Smith free kick Mason saw his close-range header well saved and a second close range effort by Charlie Lewis was also saved by the well-placed home goalkeeper. The home side threw on substitutes to boost their defence to preserve their lead and in the final twelve minutes there was no continuity of play as the referee produced no fewer than six yellow cards which gave the outcome of the match a false impression. From the home sides’ point of view, they had successfully stifled St Neots’ best efforts and those opening four minutes of the match had proved significant and conclusive.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Boxer, Lewis, Nche, Hook, Charles, Rider, Njoku

Subs: Soloman (for Duncliffe 37 mins), Mason (for Rider 46 mins), Osei (for Njoku 81 mins), and Barnett. Cards: Hook (Y – 78 mins), Boxer (Y – 86 mins), Anderson (Y – 93 min), Mason (Y –94 mins)

Goals: Charles (52 mins)

Shepshed Dynamo: Ganley, Harper, Medrano, Smith, Betts, Prenderville, King, Ritzema, Hakeem, Moore (C), Morris

Subs: Moore (S) (for Moore (C) 84 mins), Snedden (for King 84 mins), Ruzvidzo (for Hakeem 90 mins), Wakeling and Zona.

Cards: Moore (C) (Y – 56 mins), Harper (Y – 61 mins), Medrano (Y – 81 mins), Snedden (Y – 89 mins)

Goals: Hakeem 2 (4 & 38 mins), Morris (2 mins)

Attendance: 182

Referee: Hayden Lavender (Gloucester)

John Walker

OpponentSpotlight CAMBRIDGECITYFC

CAMBRIDGE CITY FC HISTORY

Early years

The club was formed in 1908 as Cambridge Town, the direct descendant of the earlier Cambridge St Mary’s club which had folded at the end of the 1907-1908 season following a dispute with the local Cambs FA.As a torchbearer for amateur football in the days when many clubs viewed the professional game with disdain, the new club affiliated itself with the recently established Amateur Football Association rather than the local FA. Trophy success came early, with a notable victory being achieved in the International Du Nord Trophy in 1912 after beating host club Tourquennois in Northern France. Cambridge Town amalgamated with an earlier Cambridge United club in May 1914, joined the Cambs FA, and in turn gained entry into the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, whilst retaining their AFA links. The club’s best ever run in the Amateur Cup came in 1928 when they reached the semi Final only to lose to Leyton at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground. Town had successes in the Southern Amateur League, winning the title five times between 1920 and 1931. The club joined the Spartan League in 1935, winning the Premier Division in 1948 & 1949 before stepping up to the Athenian League in 1950. Cambridge was granted City status in 1951 and with it the club’s name change to Cambridge City

Southern League Champions City left the amateur game in 1958 and joined the Southern League, gaining a place in the Premier Division of the Southern League at the first attempt. City won the Premier Division in 1962/63, edging out local rivals Cambridge United in an enthralling title race with the local derby at Milton Road being witnessed by over 11,500 people. City were regular challengers for the title and had the highest attendances in non-league football up until the mid-1960s. But City lost their way and were relegated to Southern League Division 1 in 1968. Promotion back to the Premier Division followed in 1970, the same year that Cambridge United were elected to the Football League. Strife in the 1970s City finished Southern League runners up in 1970/71, but the latter years of the decade were a real struggle. Relegation in 1975/76 saw crowds dwindle and the Club fall into decline.In 1977, Directors decided that the club should join the Isthmian League. At the time this was seen as a backward step by many supporters. With scenes that would be repeated 30 years later, a subsequent fans’ protest forced most of the Board to resign. The club thus remained in the Southern League.

OpponentSpotlight CAMBRIDGECITYFC

Better times

After the redevelopment of the ground in the mid 1980’s, City gradually improved and a new generation of fans mobbed their heroes after the 1985/86 Southern League Southern Division championship was won on the last day of the season. The goal scoring exploits of Gary Grogan were instrumental in City’s recovery, according him a ‘City Legend ‘status. Since the turn of this century, City have reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup four times and the 2nd round once, a record far better than achieved by the more illustrious City sides of the 1960s.

Ups and downs

Recent seasons have been a roller-coaster ride for the City faithful. City’s best season for 30 years saw them finish runners up in the inaugural Conference South season in 2004/05, going on to lose in the play-offs. Off the field the ground had been sold to pay off mounting debts and matters took a turn for the worse in 2006 when the then Board announced an agreement to allow City to be absorbed into Cambridge United. With City on the brink of extinction, supporters were galvanised into a campaign which eventually forced Directors to resign, to be replaced by members of the Cambridge City Supporters’ Trust. The opening league match of 2006/07 was arguably the most memorable since the early 1960s – not merely because City won with a stoppage time winner at Havant & Waterlooville, but because it offered irrefutable proof that that City had survived a blatant attempt to kill it off and were very much alive and kicking. City celebrated their centenary in 2008, but were demoted at the end the 2007/08 season due to overzealously applied ground regulations. This decision ended 22 consecutive seasons in the 2nd tier of non-league football. City lost out to Gloucester City in the 2008/09 play-off. In the 2009/10 season, City won the Southern League Cup for the first time and finished one point shy of a playoff place. With the ground sold, a groundshare agreement was in place with Newmarket Town for the 2010/11 season but a last minute offer from the landlord meant that City had another season in its own stadium and celebrated by securing a place in the playoffs with a 4th place finish in the league. However, this was met with disappointment again as the team lost at Salisbury City. Another reprieve following a new deal with the landlord gave City two more seasons at Milton Road, 2011/12 and 2012/13. Once again the play-offs were reached but again an away defeat in the semi final, this time at Oxford City. This disappointment was however tempered by the news that the club has secured a site on which to build a new stadium and training complex. City ultimately missed out on a play-off spot in the 2012/13 season, but the club enjoyed a FA Cup run, with a televised first round proper home tie with MK Dons producing a fantastic night with a nil nil draw at Milton Road before losing in the replay at Stadium MK. With our lease on the stadium finally coming to an end, April 27th 2013 saw the last ever first team match at the ground before a large crowd with mixture of tears and smiles. Adrian Cambridge had the honour of scoring the last ever goal at Milton Road in the one nil victory over Redditch United.

OpponentSpotlight CAMBRIDGECITYFC

New era

A new era for the club commenced in August 2013 starting with a ground-share at Histon FC. City once again reached the play-offs that season but once again tasted semi final defeat, this time at home to St Albans City. The 2015-16 season saw City move to share at St Ives Town FC. Manager Gary Roberts left in the summer of 2016 after 13 years at the club. His replacement Dan Gleeson had a short and ultimately unsuccessful spell in charge, former player Robbie Nightingale taking over as manager in December 2016. Robbie won his first game in charge to boost City’s hopes of avoiding the drop.City’s playing record improved culminating in five wins and a draw in their last six games but ultimately it was not enough and the club were relegated to step four for the first time in our history. Hopes of bouncing straight back were dashed when City lost in the play-off to Hartley Wintney. After three seasons at St Ives, City are now back at Histon FC whilst waiting for the new ground in Sawston to be built.

In the summer of 2019 City were moved laterally to The Isthmian League. City’s debut season in the league seemed on course for an exciting conclusion with the club on an unbeaten 7 game run in February & March, with no goals conceded, and the play-offs were in sight. However, as well all know the global pandemic saw the season declared null and void as was the 2020-21 season . Another league switch occurred in the summer of 2021, City being placed in the Northern Premier League.With stop/start progress on the new stadium project, City had a horrendous injury list through the first half of the season leaving them in the relegation zone going in to Christmas . The Boxing Day home game against landlords Histon produced a 4-2 win and set the team off on a 13 game unbeaten run taking them up to mid table and provided hope for a playoff place . This proved to be too much for the squad but finished in a respectable 9th place considering the problems faced during the first half of the season. With the new stadium not yet complete , City will start the season groundsharing at Histon but with high hopes of moving to Sawston during the season .

CAMBRIDGECITYFC

JOE WELCH (34) : Joe had been Royston Town’s first choice goalkeeper for the previous 6 seasons . Before this he had two seasons at St Albans and three at Bromley as well as three in two spells at Histon .

DANIEL AKUBUINE (28) : Daniel signed for City this season after being released by Corby Town . He joined as a rightback butcan also play at centreback . Among his previous clubs are Brighton , Watford,Hemel Hempstead and Kettering .

YAW OFOSU (26) : Yaw joined City November 2019 as a centreback and did well but was moved to rightback on Tom Gardiner’s arrival . Yaw made this position his own and was a vital part of City’s unbeaten run of seven games up to the premature end season 2019-20

TAYLOR PARR (29) : Taylor is a Cambridge born centre half . As a youth he was with Cambridge United before having two seasons with Royston Town . He moved on to St Neots Town for 3 seasons before returning to Royston . He joined City in summer 2021.

BRADLEY GOTHARD ( 19 ) : Bradley learned his trade in City’s youth programme and progressed to the first team . However with competition for places at centre half being fierce he went on loan to Yaxley but unfortuately decided to stay there . The lure of City was too great for him and he returned for 2022-23 season a more experienced player for his spell at Yaxley .

NATHAN OLUKANMI (29) : Nathan joined City from Barton Rovers in November 2017 , went off to Bedford before returning to City in December 2019 . Nathan is one of the fastest players in non league football and can play on either wing.

TOMMY RIGBY (20): Tommy came through City’s youth set up. He plays in midfield and became a permanent member of the first team squad for the past two truncated seasons with some impressive performances.

SCOTT BRIDGES ( 34 ) : Scott is a very experienced midfielder at this level and above. He had eight seasons at Royston Town during which time he helped them secure promotion to The Southern Premier . A gap in the middle of that spell was spent at Hayes and Yeading where he helped them do the same .

ISAAC MANYARD ( 25 ) : Isaac is a silky skilled hard working midfielder previously with Ipswich Town’s academy. He joined our development squad in 2018/19 season and soon became a regular in the first team squad .

BEN BRADLEY (27) : Ben joined City in November 2021 from Haverhill Rovers having previously played for Haverhill Borough , preceded by an earlier spell with Rovers . Ben is a hard working creative midfielder .

RYAN INGREY ( 29 ) : Ryan is a Royston Town legend having played a major part in their rise from The Spartan League over 8 seasons and was voted in to their team of the decade. He switched to City in January 2019 . Ryan can play anywhere across the front or in centre midfield.

MIKEY DAVIS (23) : Mikey was originally with City in his teens before winning a scholarship with Grimsby Town. He wasn't kept on by the Mariners and moved on to join Haverhill Borough, his home town side, before later switching to Haverhill Rovers. He signed for City in November 2018 and can operate either as a full-back or winger.

CAMBRIDGECITYFC

TOM WAUMSLEY ( 30 ) : Tom is an attacking midfielder of proven ability . He hit the target 91 times in 167 appearances in 5 seasons for Yaxley in The SL Central and NPL Midlands divisions . He was previously with Bourne Town.

DANIEL COTTON (34) : Daniel has spent the last 8 seasons at Yaxley , netting 215 times in 336 appearances . Previously he had scored 20 times in 41 appearances for Soham Town Rangers and 52 goals for Stamford in three seasons .

ED ROLPH (27) : After leaving university , Ed played for Sawston United in in The Kershaw Premier League . Histon spotted his talents and he has been their leading scorer for five years . He is a tall and powerful striker

BEN NOLAN ( 21) : Ben is a winger and has only one previous club , Mildenhall Town since the age of 14 . He made his way up through the youth setup and into the first team where his performut inspite of doing well for them he realised the grass is not always greener and returned to City ances attracted the attention of Robbie Nightingale convinced Ban his next step should be with City.

MATTY MILES ( 25 ) : Matty can play either fullback or anywhere across the middle . He learned his trade for 13 years with Leicester City , progressing to their under 23s. He was devastated when The Foxes released him and started his football rejuvenation with Eynesbury Rovers and then on to Peterborough Sports where City signed him from.

ALLY CONWAY (23) : Ally joined City during the second half of last season . He previously had four years with Soham Town Rangers with a short spell at Godmanchester Rovers in the middle of of that . Ally plays wide midfield .

JARID ROBSON ( 27 ) : Jarid first joined City from Bury Town in November 2019. During the remainder of that season and the following two he made himself a fans favourite with his all action midfield play and goalscoring feats. In the summer of 22 he was lured to a higher level by Royston Town but inspite of doing well there he realised that the grass is not always greener and returned to City

SIMON SWINTON (34) : Simon is Cambridge born and bred . After two seasons at Soham Town Rangers he joined Histon for three successful seasons but retired from football when Histon were moved in to the NPL. However he answered City’s call to play one game but enjoyed it so much he stayed on .

JAKE STRONGE (22) : Jake joined City from Godmanchester Rovers in October . He had only played three games for them having started the season at Wellinborough Town . Jake plays in midfield and was part of Newport Pagnell’s FA Vase winning squad

JAKE BATTERSBY (21) : Jake joined City this season from Yaxley . Previously with Cambridge United Academy and St Neots Town he is a freescoring winger.

P l a y i n g R e c o r d S e a s

P l a y i n g R e c o r d S e a s