Boxing Day exceeded all expectations as we recorded our highest League gate of the season, this despite Rotherham only bringing 443. This equated to almost 5,000 home supporters, many of whom were in Cambridge for the Christmas holidays. Consequently, there was congestion at the turnstiles, mainly for the Main Stand, but also on the terrace as a large percentage of supporters for these areas arrived only minutes before kick-off. Supporters in the Main Stand were obviously wishing to sit together, some in large numbers, a process which takes time as the turnstile operators have to thumb through the books of tickets to find seats together. Where possible, we would advise supporters to purchase Main Stand tickets in advance of games where a large crowd is expected and especially if a large number of tickets together are required. The Ticket Office sells tickets at least a week in advance of the fixture and credit/debit card bookings can be made over the telephone. The Ticket Office is also open on the morning of a home game until 12.30pm.

Tuesday night also saw a larger than expected crowd for the Auto Windscreens Shield tie against Northampton Town. We reduced admission prices right across the board and again admitted children under sixteen for £1. Season Ticket holders, who have to pay for all Cup fixtures, used voucher N and paid as they went through the turnstiles and sat in their normal seats without the need for purchasing a ticket. I would be interested to hear if this process was more convenient for Season Ticket holders. The draw for the next round of the Auto Windscreens Shield was made on Thursday morning and we have been rewarded with a home game against Exeter City. The match will be played on Tuesday 19th January 1999, kick-off 7.45pm.

Whilst on the subject of ticket arrangements, I would like to make you aware of the possibility that we may have three all-ticket home fixtures later in the season. The likely games are Cardiff City, Peterborough United and Brentford, but I will keep you informed of the details as and when they become definite.

Looking ahead to March, we have brought forward the away fixture at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, 27th March to Friday, 26th March 1999, kick-off 7.45pm. This is to avoid a clash with the England game scheduled for 3.00pm on the Saturday. On Tuesday night we entertain West Ham United in the Avon Insurance Combination League in a match which has also been brought forward 24 hours, It was scheduled for Wednesday, but West Ham are in FA. Cup replay action at Swansea on the same night. Accompanied children will be admitted free of charge, with the adult paying just £2. The match kicks-off at 7.00pm.

As we all battle on through the winter months, football in Scotland has come to a standstill as they have just started their first winter shut-down. Tottenham manager George Graham recently suggested that we should follow suit as the old argument is raised once again. Whilst it is not enjoyable to sit and stand in the cold weather, the unpredictability of our climate would render it difficult to pick out a month in the year when the weather most affects our fixtures.

On the other hand, if it is to break up the season for the benefit of the players then that is a different matter. However, as has happened in the past when Premier League Clubs have had free weeks, they have jetted off to play friendly matches to keep their players ticking over, Also, would it mean two sessions of pre-season training for the players? I doubt whether they would enjoy that. What about the financial implications of a winter shut-down for Clubs such as ourselves? I'm sure the debate will continue, but with the impending changes at the Football Association imminent, it may become reality as the new regime will inevitably try to modernise the game.