Monday 17th April 2000 : Electronic petition launched

Cambridge United Football Club and the Cambridge United Supporters Association (CUSA) are organising a petition to urge the Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions (DETR), John Prescott's Office, to approve the sale of the small amount of allotment land urgently needed to allow the redevelopment of the Abbey Stadium.

The petition was launched last Saturday at the game against Bristol Rovers and almost 2,000 signatures of support were collected on the day.

CUSA petition co-ordinator Gordon Theobald said, "We are all very pleased with the start we have made. 2,000 signatures is a tremendous figure, a remarkably high proportion of the attendance (around 4,500). Moreover, lots of people took blank forms away with them, to get signatures from friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. On a personal note, collecting signatures was a great excuse to chat to fans you only normally know by sight. And I had no idea United fans came from so far afield to watch the team!

"But we have a long way to go to reach our minimum target number of 15,000 names - everyone that went to Wembley with us in 1991. We will continue collecting names at the final two home games of the season, versus Preston on Bank Holiday Monday and Wycombe on 6 May. Anyone who did not sign on Saturday is asked to look out for us and sign up. During the week people can sign the petition at the Abbey Stadium Ticket Office and in the Club Shop, and a version is also available on U's Net.

"Finally, thanks to everyone who helped us collect the names, and a reminder to anyone that took forms away with them - please be sure to return them to the CUSA c/o CUFC by the end of the season."

The petition reads: "We urge the DETR to approve the sale of a small amount of Whitehill Road Allotment land to enable CUFC to redevelop the Abbey Stadium and thereby secure the long-term future of Professional Football in Cambridge"

CUFC Director Richard Summerfield said, "Although the redevelopment plans now have the support of Cambridge City Council and the Whitehill Allotment Society, we still need John Prescott’s office to approve the change of use of the handful of allotment plots needed. We can’t be complacent, and it is essential that we make the DETR fully aware that the people of Cambridge and beyond are fully behind the much needed development.

"The Club is grateful to the CUSA and other fans for their help in collecting signatures to this end."

Gordon Theobald added, "The CUSA and all United fans share the Club’s concern that we should leave nothing to chance, and we see a petition of support as an ideal way to maintain the momentum that has built up behind the project. We will also be targeting fans of other Clubs (including Peterborough!) and, after the season finishes, shoppers and people around town. We urge everyone who cares about preserving the future of professional football in Cambridge to sign up."

You can sign the electronic version of the petition on U's Net by clicking here, which is the ideal way for long-distance and exiled fans to get involved and show their support.