Looks like another healthy away audience at a particularly tough place to vidsit given the U’s as they are affectionately known haven’t lost at the Cledara since the 6th September (Dirty Barrys official birthday). Personally would be delighted with a point to start the new year as we mean to go on.
Some hints and tips below for the many hundreds of Saddlers spectators travelling to Cambridgeshire tomorrow.
What’s it like for members of the away audience?
Away spectators are housed in the Mead Grab & Plant Stand at one end of the arena, where up to 1,600 supporters can be seated. However, normally only half the stand is open on match days on the Habbin side of the ground unless a huge away gate is anticipated.
This relatively new covered, all-seated stand has quite superb facilities and is raised a little above the pitch, although it is set back a bit from the playing action, but generally gives good views of the action.
For some larger games, the South part of the Habbin terrace can also be made available. This covered terrace can accommodate almost 1,000 well behaved away spectators and over 1,000 home spectators.
The entrance to the away section is reached by walking along a path through Coldham Common, which is a field that is used from time to time to graze cows. Not much fun at the best times and especially when it is a bit more difficult to see for night games, spectators should exercise extreme caution when approaching the away entrance.
The refreshments on offer include burgers (beef, vegetable and cheese) from £6, generous hot dogs £5.45, chips £4.20 and pies (cheese, vegetable, meat and cream from £5.25) as well as Street Eat options rotating on a game-by-game basis which in the past has included samosas, French fries and pizza slices, while alcohol is also served with options for lager, pale ale, cider, wine, gin & tonic and brandy alexander.
Famous Spectators at the Cledara
Cambridge United boasts a host of famous supporters, so much so that away spectators will be forgiven for having half an eye on the executive areas of the arena spotting a famous face.
Warwick Davis - In 2018, Harry Potter and Star Wars actor visited Abbey Stadium, surprising fans who spotted the film icon at the venue.
Mark ‘Marky Mark’ Saggers - Mark Saggers is another well-known personality who has been spotted at Abbey Stadium in recent years. He is a confessed and avid supporter of the U’s.
Max Rushden - The former Sky Sports and Soccer AM presenter has been seen at Abbey Stadium on several occasions to the astonishment of locals and away spectators alike. Max Rushden currently hosts a weekly football podcast for The Guardian. The English presenter is regarded as Cambridge United’s most well-known fan, as he regularly championed the U’s during his time on Soccer AM between 2008 and 2018.
Diane Abbott – Abbott went to the local University and often enjoys free time in the City of her schooling.
Cambridge United Chants
Fans of Cambridge United have sung more than a dozen songs in praise of the club. Some of the popular chants among Cambridge United supporters include the following:
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We Are Top of the League
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Spell It Out
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Yellow Black Army
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Who the geffing Hell Are You?
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Peterborough is a ******** hell hole of biblical proportions and full of ****s
Pubs for away spectators
There is a supporters club at the ground itself, that normally allows in well behaved away spectators, except for high-profile games.
If you’d rather have a few drinks away from the stadium, though, then the following pubs are all happy to accept away fans.
- Duke of Cambridge – Bakers Arms, 176 East Rd, Cambridge CB1 1BG
Everyday pub plates and draft beer provided in a warm, throbbing environment with outdoor seating, a lively boozer and not for the faint of heart
- White Swan – 107-109 Mill Rd, Cambridge CB1 2AZ
Late-night pub with a British menu, focusing on rugby and other sports shown on 5 TV screens (or broadcast on the wireless if on subscription TV). Well appointed, with excellent curb appeal.
- The Eagle – Bene’t St, Cambridge CB2 3QN
Drinking and thinking hub where Watson and Crick announced they had discovered ‘the secret of life’. Combining good food, fair drinks with friendly service. They can’t wait to welcome you.
Getting to the arena
By car:
Take the A1 and A14 to Cambridge, heading towards Newmarket. Turn off onto the B1047 sign posted for Cambridge Airport. At the top of the slip road, turn right towards Fen Ditton. Go through Fen Ditton until you reach a T Junction, where at the traffic lights you turn right into Newmarket Road. Go straight across the roundabout (there is a Mcdonald’s on one corner), and you will come to the Cledara Abbey Stadium on your left-hand side.
You can cycle or scoot to Abbey Stadium, which has racks for safely parking bikes and scooters.
. Nearly spat me curry out reading this.