Ahead of tomorrow’s Community Trust and Kick it Out designated match day against Swindon Town at the Abbey Stadium, U’s midfielder Liam O’Neil discusses why he has enjoyed getting involved with Cambridge United Community Trust’s activities in the official programme.
A number of activities including a half time samba band and the U’s wearing Kick it Out branded t-shirts prior to kick off, will take place throughout tomorrow to highlight the varying projects and initiatives being delivered across Cambridgeshire by Cambridge United Community Trust.
The match day programme has also had a Trust makeover and will include full information on all of these projects.
Read a sneak preview of CUCT Ambassador, Liam O’Neil’s player feature here:
Liam, why have you been so keen to get involved with the community aspect of the Club since returning to Cambridge United?
Firstly, it obviously plays a very key role in the growth of the Club’s fanbase. As a Cambridge lad who grew up in this area, it provides a brilliant opportunity for me to help younger kids and people around the area to gain an affinity with Cambridge United.
The other great side to it is that you get to work with a lot of people who maybe aren’t as fortunate as others, for a number of different reasons. Whether that is through disability, mental health issues or the inequality that we see in Cambridge. It’s a great chance for me to give something back to the city that I grew up in.
It’s certainly something I feel very passionate about and look forward to continue doing.
As a professional footballer, do you feel that it’s a responsibility to be that role model within the community?
Absolutely yeah! I think it’s fair to say that a lot of kids and sometimes even a number of adults will look up to footballers, because of what they do and how much they are in the public eye. I know I am in a very fortunate position and I want to be able to use that in order to help as many people as I can, where I can.
Also in tomorrow’s programme:
- Ben Szreter – CUCT CEO
- Graham Daniels – CUCT Chairman on behalf of the Board
- Joe Dunne
- Kick It Out – Cambridge United assemblies in local primary schools
- Ethos Community Hero of the Day – Ronnie Leys
- Information of CUCT relationship with Samaritans
- Samba Fest
- Man V FAT
- Dementia Café
- Enterprise Project
- Swindon Town – Away Profile
- Football World – Mike Barnes
- Around the Division – Neil Cole
- Stat Pack
Tickets for the game are still available online at cufcdirect.com until 1:30pm tomorrow. Tickets will be on sale at the ticket office until 3:00pm.