Posted on 11th October 2022
Cambridge United shadow board will give fans “stronger voice”
Cambridge United have unveiled a new shadow board which they say will give a stronger voice to fan groups and improve fan engagement at the club.
This move follows the repurchase of the Abbey Stadium, which was completed last month, together with public commitments from Cambridge United’s owners to introduce ‘golden share’ protections for the future.
Shadow boards were one of the key recommendations of the Fan-led Review in which Cambridge United were the only EFL club represented on the advisory panel.
Chair of Cambridge Fans United Andrew Stephen said: “It is another historic development following the club’s reacquisition of our ground. We have been fully committed to and involved in this initiative, which follows the recommendations of the Fan-led Review in which Cambridge United played a key role.”
The establishment of the board follows six meetings over the summer between the club, Cambridge Fans United, Cambridge United Supporters’ Panel, Amber Belles and more recently, the Cambridge United Supporters’ club, to reach agreement on the shadow board role and constitution.
Two members of each fan group will make up the inaugural membership of eight representatives who will serve for an initial two-year period.
Tracey Crouch MP, chair of the Fan-led Review, said: “It is great to see Cambridge United putting fan engagement at the very heart of their club with the creation of a new shadow board.
“It represents a model for others to follow and will no doubt help strengthen the club as they look to modernise and develop their facilities now they have repurchased the Abbey Stadium.
“I am particularly pleased they plan to introduce golden share protections for fans for the future.”
It is expected that there will be four meetings a year with the first to be held on Monday 17th October when the shadow board will meet representatives from the club.
Anouska Wright from Amber Belles said, “Amber Belles are proud that we have been given the opportunity to represent our fans on the Shadow Board. We are still a new group who are passionate about our Club’s history, its future and the safety of our fans. The decision to create the Shadow Board shows that they value our heritage and future as much as the fans do.”
Cambridge United follow on from Liverpool who, earlier this year, introduced a shadow board of 16 supporter representatives at Anfield.
FSA chief executive Kevin Miles said: “It is very encouraging to see the way Cambridge United is capturing the spirit of the Fan-led Review and moving quickly to put fan engagement right at the heart of the club’s future.
“We would strongly encourage other clubs at every level of the game to follow their leadership.”
