E-mail Article Print this story

Abbey Stadium attendance on the rise

Related Links

Brabin praises fans attendance

Cambridge United fans have been praised by club manager Gary Brabin in helping the team reach the Blue Square Premier play-off spots.

Crowd attendance at Abbey Stadium has risen by ten percent for the first eight games of the season compared to the same period last year.

United boasted attendance of 24,556 fans for the first eight games of the 2007-08 season under former boss Jimmy Quinn but a rise of 9.6 percent has seen that figure escalate to 26,421 for the same fixtures this season.

The news has delighted chief executive Norman Gautrey, especially in a time when gate takings have falling at many other clubs in the League and non-League football this term.

Gautrey told Cambridge News that, "In the current economic climate, this is a remarkable trend in contrast to most clubs at the moment.

"It underlines that, not only do we have some of the most loyal and dedicated supporters in the country, but we're also seeing new people flocking to watch football at Cambridge United."

The Amber Army's role in United's recent success has prompted Brabin to say, "The fans can see what we're trying to do and they appreciate that we're trying to play football in the right manner.

"They've been in a different class this season and it certainly does help when they get behind the team.

"They don't stop singing from the first minute to the last and they have played a major part in the team's performances."

United are continuing their South Stand Initiative, where they aim to increase their gates by giving the local residents free tickets to encourage them to add to the the United family in the long term.

The man behind the scheme, Will Jones, said, "The sky is the limit in terms of the future as we have a very special club to promote. We have all kinds of exciting schemes and initiatives planned to welcome even more of the local community to enjoy live football at their family club Cambridge United."