As part of a new chapter for the club, Cambridge United will be changing their walk-out song this season to Groove Armada’s iconic track, Superstylin’...
The idea of switching up the pre-match anthem has been gaining momentum among supporters in recent months. With that in mind, the club is bidding farewell to Judas Priest’s United and embracing a more energetic and modern sound - one that also holds a special connection to the U’s.
Tom Findlay, one half of Groove Armada and a lifelong Cambridge United fan, has given his full support for the change. We caught up with him earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s big game.
What’s your first Cambridge United memory?
I was born and brought up in the City and went to the Abbey for the first time aged 11 or 12 I think. We lost, to Rotherham, maybe 3-0, but I was instantly hooked. I was standing in the Habbin, pitch-side. Steve Spriggs is the player that really stood out for me. Partly because we were pretty much the same size, but also because of his class on the ball.
When did you become a ‘proper’ fan?
I think a year or so later I wrote to the manager (Chris Turner) with some tactical advice! It must have made some sort of impression on him as he invited me to come and watch a game with him and to sit on the bench. I remember so much about that day - what a larger-than-life character ‘Christ’ was. I also remember Peter Butler scored and we won the game, but I can’t remember the score or the opposition. It was the season that Chris Turner kept us in the football league, so it was a big one for me.
What is your Favourite United era?
I really tuned in to the team for the Beck era which was just magic. I mean the football wasn’t the easiest on the eye, but we punched massively above our weight, I loved all the sh*t housry (bags of sugar in the oppo’s tea, towels for the ballboys etc), and we were one game from the Premier League, which is insane. I loved that team: Dublin, Taylor, Claridge, some serious ballers in there!
And your favourite United players past and present?
All of the above. I also loved watching David Crown, and I remember that season he scored 25 goals. Wes Hoolahan was a genius and lit up that lockdown legends team (which kept me sane!), ditto Paul Mullin. A special mention too to Harrison Dunk. Of the current side, I am a big fan of Lavery, and Sully Kaikai, and excited to see Ben Knight this season.
How do you feel about having Superstylin’ playing when the U’s take to the pitch?
I met up with Godric Smith at Glastonbury this year, he’s a lovely fella! We were chatting and he asked me how I felt about the idea of using ‘Superstylin’ as the walk out music, with this year being something of a year of change at the club. He said this would help make us even more Cambridge United. I felt honoured, but also I guess a bit nervous about how the fans would feel. Obviously it’s a bit of a dream come true for me, so as long as we win a few more games than last year and we all get to hear a bit more ‘Coconuts’, I am all for it.
And finally Tom, how are you feeling about the new season as we kick off
I am really looking forward to it. Last season was obviously a tough one but sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward and we are clearly in a much better position as a club than when we were last in League Two. It’s great to have Neil and Bonz back and it genuinely feels like the start of something new and a bit different. Like everyone, I am excited to see what we can do.
