U’s face Posh in Turner Tribute match today
Cambridge United will today travel to the ABAX Stadium to face county neighbours Peterborough United in a match dedicated to former player and manager Chris Turner.
The U’s will go toe-to-toe with the posh in one final pre-season test before the start of the 2015/16 Football League season, which gets under way in one week’s time against Newport County.
Playing each other for the first time since a scoreless draw at the Abbey Stadium in 2001, United will be hoping to level head to head records with Posh the one win ahead on 12 victories.
However the rivalry between the two sides is set to be put on hold, with the teams celebrating the life of a footballing great for the county of Cambridgeshire, Chris Turner, who sadly passed away in April following a long fight with illness.
Beginning his playing career with the Posh in 1969, Turner a defender in the classic mould went on to make 317 appearances scoring 37 goals at London Road until departing nine years later.
His first spell with the U’s came in 1979, playing 19 times before moving on to brief spells with American League side New England Tea Men and Swindon Town, and then returning to the Abbey Stadium for a further three seasons.
Such was his impact during his time as a player with the U’s that upon his retirement from playing in 1984 with Southend, Cambridge United moved fast to secure his services as manager a year later.
A five year stint at the helm saw him lay the foundations for the now famous John Beck side which achieved double promotion to the second division, a team many consider to be the greatest Amber and Black outfit of all time.
Following his departure from the Abbey Stadium, a season in charge of the Posh ensured Turner brought his football career full circle.
His funeral in May was attended by a host of fellow Cambridge United and Peterborough United stars, each and every one paying their respects to perhaps the most iconic and influential figure for both Football League clubs in Cambridgeshire.
Looking ahead to the fixture and the spirit of the occasion, Cambridge United Manager Richard Money said: “We are all looking forward to the game and know that it will be competitive.
“We just want people to remember the reason for the game and not to get carried away, because that is the crucial bit for me. The respect for Chris and his family is crucial.
“I knew Chris for a number of years, he was always really good with me and is a fantastic ambassador for both clubs.
“So it is a fitting way to tribute both his work with Peterborough and Cambridge United, and whilst I am sure there will be a tense rivalry both on and off the pitch it is important we are all mindful that the game is played in the right spirit and the right manner.
“I know our supporters will want to win as will theirs but in the bigger picture, a result at the weekend is not going to influence what we do over the next 48 weeks. We’ll go there and try as hard as we can that our supporters come home happy.”