Welcome to the Trade Recruitment Stadium for this afternoon's Blue Square Premier match. Our visitors are Rushden and Diamonds FC, whose players, officials and supporters have made the short trip along the A14.

It is three weeks since the first team last played at home, followed by a run of away games at AFC Telford, Kidderminster and Crawley. We are next scheduled to play here on 18th November when we will either be entertaining York City or staging an FA Cup 1st Round Replay.

With a third of the League season already completed we now hit a period of Cup competitions. It is an important time for Cambridge United and we appreciate your tremendous support, both here and following the team around the country.

Tuesday evening's Setanta Shield game is in a competition that our visitors reached the Final last season, and their 3-3 draw at Aldershot and penalty shoot-out loss was one of the best games seen on Setanta TV. Financially it would be foolish to spurn the opportunity to progress in either that or the FA Cup. We had a great run in the latter last season, and who can forget the superb support at Molyneux in the Third Round? Whilst the League is everyone's priority, success in the Cups can galvanise the Club and give confidence to the team.

This coming Wednesday evening our own Under-18s take on Colchester United (ko 7.30pm) here at the Trade Recruitment Stadium in the 1st Round of the FA Youth Cup. After safely progressing through the Qualifying Rounds, you can be sure that the boys will be up for the task of competing against 'higher' opposition.

In the 1991-92 season Cambridge United achieved our highest ever Football League placing finishing fifth in the old Second Division and reaching the Play-Offs Semi-Final, narrowly missing out on becoming inaugural members of the Premiership.

At the same time there was a merger between Rushden Town of the Southern League and their neighbours Irthlingborough Diamonds from the United Counties League to form what is now Rushden and Diamonds FC. Our own fortunes have tumbled somewhat since those heady days of the early Nineties, whilst our visitors have seen a dramatic rise and fall over the same period.

It was the dream of Max Griggs, the owner of the Doc Martens footwear empire, to create a club fit for the Football League and build a ground purpose built for the 21st century. His dream became a reality and in 2001 they reached the 'promised land'. We met briefly in Division Two prior to losing our League status and have resumed our acquaintance since their relegation two seasons ago.

In the meantime, Max Griggs had handed over ownership of the Club to their supporters in June 2005 to become the only Club owned solely by the Supporters Trust. The financial reality of the football world has subsequently led to ownership being passed to the present Chairman Keith Cousins following his investments.

In comparison to ours, the Diamonds' history may be relatively short. The two clubs already have a number of connections and players have appeared for both sides. Of our present players Wayne Hatswell and Jon Challinor made their mark at Nene Park whilst our visitors include Rob Wolleaston, whose last appearance for the U's was at Wembley in May.

Both clubs' histories have provided supporters with good memories and a fair share of heartache. The important thing to remember is that there is always hope. Do things the right way and the future can be brighter.

Keep supporting the U's.

Brian Attmore

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