Ahead of our upcoming Level Playing Field Matchday against Derby County, we spoke to the voice of the Club's 'Audio for All' commentary, Neil Cornwell, for a quick Q&A...
How did you first get involved with Audio for All?
The Club were keen to get an Audio Description service off the ground and they already had the kit which was left over from an old Government/Royal National Institute of Blind People initiative called Soccer Sight. They put out adverts on social media for potential describers and I was more or less nagged into putting myself forward by my (then) wife.
I attended an open training session in the Supporters Club, hosted by Phil Pethybridge (long time describer at Ipswich) and the rest is history.
What attracted you to it?
Personal experience. At the age of 21 I lost sight in one eye as a result of a freak accident involving a bottle of home brew (don't ask) and ended up in Addenbrookes feeling terribly hard done by and sorry for myself.
After three days, a bloke appeared in the bed next to mine, who was a very successful freelance press photographer, who primarily worked for the Times and Telegraph. He had gone to bed with 20/20 vision, had a haemorrhage behind his eyes in his sleep and woke up completely blind.
Whilst I could still wander around the hospital, go outside for a cigarette, watch television, read the papers and everything else, he had just lost his livelihood and would never see his wife or children again. Pretty quickly I realised how grateful I should be, so for the rest of my stay I used to go down to the shop and bring back the papers to read to him.
Once I got out I was also lucky enough to hook up with a mildly successful band who were far more interested in looking after their fans than in making money. Both experiences taught me that if you can try and make the world a slightly better place for a few people, that is far more important than how much money you make or how big your house is.
Audio Description commentary was the perfect opportunity to give a little back and make a small difference to the lives of a few fellow supporters.
How long have you been involved with AFA?
Since day one. Now in our 12th season.
What do you do to prepare for Audio Description commentary on Matchday?
Simple stuff really. Research the opposition - see what their recent form is like, find out what happened the last time we played them. Are there any players with unpronounceable names? What formation are they likely to play? What are the upcoming fixtures for both sides?
Nothing too in depth but a few handy titbits that you can fall back on if you need to fill any lengthy gaps - usually for serious injuries. I also always carry a bottle of drink and a pair of gloves!
Best advice for potential describers?
Be yourself. Don't try and copy TV or radio commentators - let your own style and personality come to the fore. Also don't get too hung up on trying to get names right. Listeners are far more interested in which team has got the ball, where they are on the pitch and what they are doing with it.
First match at the Abbey?
2 October 1985 for a 2-0 win against Preston North End in front of a 'crowd' of 1500. Both teams were awful.
Most memorable match?
Probably 4 May 2009 and the 3-0 win over Stevenage in the Conference Play-Off Semi Final. Cambridge were 3-1 down from the away leg and Stevenage had already booked their hotel for the Wembley final. Nobody gave us a prayer but personally, I just had a completely bizarre and totally irrational belief that the unthinkable was destined to happen.
And it did, with the clinching goal in the last minute of extra time. As everybody else flooded out of the Newmarket Road End onto the pitch at the final whistle, I remember lying flat on my back in a virtually deserted terrace, completely physically and emotionally drained.
Cambridge United being Cambridge United, of course, then proceeded to play like rubbish n the final at Wembley and thus condemned themselves to five more years in non-league.
Favourite player?
Best player is easy - Wes Hoolahan is the classiest player ever to don the amber and black. He just operated in a different time frame to every other player on the pitch. My favourite player though would have to be Steve Claridge. He was not the most talented but would always give you 110%, however meaningless the game. Plus, he was a bit of a maverick with his socks rolled round his ankles, his love of the bookies and his frequent interactions with fans. If you haven't already, read his autobiography.
How can I get involved as a commentator or listen to the service?
If you are interested in listening to us on Matchdays, send an email to our DSLO, Matt Casey on dslo@cambridgeunited.com. Matt will tell you everything you need to know. Otherwise, come and see us outside the Newmarket Road End turnstiles at the Accessibility Information Point.
