Chances are, think of Cambridge and you'll automatically imagine rose tinted views of glittering spires, the rolling landscape at the back of the colleges (imaginatively called "The Backs"), students wearing mortar boards and billowing capes, and bicycles... thousands of the buggers! (Unfortunately students and bikes are synonymous here, and whatever else they bring with them, a knowledge of the highway code isn’t high on the list!)
And that's really a problem. Despite this being our twenty-eighth season in the Football League, the public at large have never really equated Cambridge as the home of the Mighty U’s... Unfortunately the same goes for the inhabitants of our own fair City! Indeed from a purely historical context, United have traditionally drawn their support from the surrounding villages...
But enough of this idle chit-chat. What you really want to know is how to get here, where to park and where the best pubs and chippies are.
Working on the assumption that you've found Cambridge on the map, the best option is to follow the signs for the A14 (East bound) and head towards Newmarket. (The only visitors who will be travelling west to Cambridge would be from our neighbours in Ipsh*t and Naarrich - who if they don't already know the way should certainly pay more attention to the local geography of East Anglia!). Take the B1047 exit and head towards Cambridge... Or even better, invest in a copy of "The Football Fan's Guide", written by U's fans Janet Williams and Mark Johnson (coincidentally an ex-editor of this fanzine). A word of advice. You'll have probably sussed out that Cambridge and Cambridgeshire is bloody flat and you'll have probably spotted floodlights just as you turn onto the A14 as it by-passes the City. However, don't be fooled into thinking that you've found a short-cut. These shining beacons illuminate (for evening matches anyway) our loveable neighbours City. Head towards these and you'll end up watching Doc Martin's League football - although if the truth be known there sometimes isn't a lot of difference...
Assuming that you've found the Abbey Stadium, the best option is to find some street parking and pronto. Parking is at a severe premium. Do not attempt to park on any grass verges - the chances are that Cambridgeshire Constabulary will ensure that you contribute to their Christmas party fund. Alternatively, there is limited car parking in front of the ground, although the club will charge you £2.50 for this privilege.
The trouble is that the Abbey isn't exactly set in the heart of the more touristy areas of the City. It's located on the eastern fringes in what would be loosely classed an industrial area (that's if Cambridge had any real industry). The nearest landmarks for those of you who get lost are the huge hangers of Marshall's Airport Works.
There are several reasonable near-by boozers for those of you that way inclined. By far the best pick is The Wrestlers on Newmarket Road, about five minutes walk from the ground, heading towards the City Centre. As well as offering excellent Greene King beer it also doubles up as an excellent Thai takeaway! Failing that there is The Racehorse (five minutes walk in the opposite direction) or across the Common behind the ground, The Greyhound. The ubiquitous chippies and burger vans can be found on Newmarket Road. All the above mentioned are popular with both visiting and home supporters, although trouble is thankfully quite rare (save when our loveable north County neighbours P*sh are in town). Alternatively you may wish to venture into the Supporters' Club. £1 gets you admission to loads of cheap beer and reasonably priced bar snacks.
Those of you who take the opportunity to venture into the City may well come across several areas of common land dotted here and there occupied by the odd herd of grazing sheep, cattle or horses. Cambridge folk are quite blasé about these, but a visiting Sunderland supporter was heard to remark, "fookin' hell man, they’ve got cows grazin' in the middle of the town!"
What you will discover is that parking near the Abbey is a doddle compared with trying to park anywhere near the City Centre. Indeed the Council have realised this fact and require you to take out a second mortgage to use any of the City Centre car parks. You may well be tempted, if you're in town early enough, to take advantage of one of the many park and ride schemes available. Having had a slight dig at students in the introduction, it has to be said that as befits a university centre, Cambridge boasts a very cosmopolitan selection of excellent pubs and eateries.
Those of you who arrive by rail are within spitting distances of the best pub in the City, The Salisbury Arms in Tenison Road. Just take the first left as you exit the station up Station Road. This pub serves a wide range of real ales and guest beers as well as traditional pub grub. Unfortunately the ground is a fair old walk from the station, so a taxi might be the order of the day...
Enjoy your visit (if not the match!)
Steve Jillings,
Editor, "The Abbey Rabbit", 1997
