In Memoriam

Vernon, known to many as Perry, supported Cambridge United for 80 years. From a young age he followed the club faithfully, home and away. A long-standing member of CFU, he backed the club both on and off the pitch with unwavering dedication.

A much beloved former Matchday Steward

Since leaving Northern Ireland, Brian was a devoted supporter of Cambridge United for over 60 years, passionately cheering his team through every triumph and setback. His enthusiasm was infectious, uniting friends and family in moments of joy and excitement.

Beyond football, Brian held a deep love for golf. He proudly served as Captain of Girton Golf Club in 2003—a role that reflected not only his leadership, but also the warmth and camaraderie he shared with fellow members. His spirit on the course was as vibrant as his passion for the game, and the friendships he forged there enriched the lives of many.

Brian will forever be remembered as a cherished friend and family member—loved, respected, and deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John was born in Lode in 1928 and moved to Histon during his childhood. His working life saw him employed at Chivers and British Railways before finishing his career at Cambridge University.

A passionate football man, John played as a goalkeeper for Histon Institute during their Spartan and Delphian League days. After retiring from playing, he took up refereeing—culminating in the proud achievement of officiating at Wembley as a linesman in the Varsity Match.

John married Margaret, and together they made their home in Cambridge, just a short walk from the Abbey Stadium. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, he was a well-known face around the Abbey, spending time in both the Referees and Linesmen’s hospitality areas and the Directors’ Lounge. Football was truly a family affair: Margaret assisted in the Boardroom, daughter Jayne worked in the Vice Presidents’ Lounge, and son Martin was a ballboy in the 1970s.

A devoted servant of the game throughout his long life, John passed away in July 2024 at the age of 95 — a true football man to the very end.

Bill spent the first six years of his life in France before his family returned to England in 1940 following the German invasion. They settled in Reading, where Bill later began an apprenticeship with Handley Page and trained as an aircraft design draughtsman. He went on to serve his National Service in the RAF, and in 1959 married Margaret.

When Handley Page closed, Bill and Margaret moved to Cambridge, where he joined Marshall’s and took responsibility for modifications to the C130 Hercules aircraft. A keen athlete in his younger years, Bill had a lifelong love of sport. He soon became an enthusiastic Cambridge United supporter, and he and Margaret proudly held season tickets for many years. Even when they were no longer able to attend matches, they followed every game faithfully through Radio Cambridgeshire commentary.

Bill will be sadly missed by his wife, Margaret, and his son, Steve.

Our grandad was a massive United fan who went to matches for years and years — the only thing that stopped him in the end was illness. He had three children whom he loved dearly, and his grandchildren miss him every single day.

He lived for football. He even managed Sunday and Saturday teams in Fen Ditton, which he absolutely loved.

Brian was a lifelong supporter for over 60 years, home and away. He was loved by everyone, and it will never be the same again at United without his cheerful smile. He will be deeply missed by all.

RIP darling — gone but never forgotten. 

Johnny began supporting the U’s as a young boy and quickly fell in love with every part of the club. It’s believed he even played for Cambridge United in the 1950s and helped build the original Habbin Stand.

In the 1980s, Johnny became a lifelong Vice President, further cementing his place in the club’s history. He was involved both on matchdays and behind the scenes, supporting the upkeep of the grounds and even providing accommodation for young players.

Johnny shared many matchdays with his son, Stuart, who remains a season ticket holder to this day. Although a stroke in the 1990s made it difficult for him to attend regularly — despite having his own seat and parking space — he never missed a game, always tuning in on the radio.

In the last two years of his life, thanks to his granddaughter Zoe and the support of the Cambridge United Foundation’s Forever Memories group, Johnny was able to return home to the club he loved. He visited the stadium, met players, walked down the tunnel one last time, and relived precious memories.

David was a lifelong supporter of Cambridge United and a valued member of the Vice Presidents’ Club. A genuinely lovely man, he was a friend to all, both within the club and beyond. Always ready to offer help, he contributed to upholstering seating in the club rooms and lent a hand with general maintenance whenever needed.

David was highly respected as a local businessman and is deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his family.