Cambridge is a remarkable town and Cambridge United a remarkable football club.

In the 35 years since joining the Football League in 1970, United has achieved a great deal for such a small club. Successive promotions in the 70s and early 90s. First ever winners of a Wembley playoff final. Successive FA Cup Quarter Finals in 90 and 91. Getting so close to the inaugural Premiership...

CFU was established in 2000 because fans wanted to take a hand in raising money for their club and the redevelopment. The building of a new North Stand would allow the club to rent out space for restaurant and other commercial use. The income from this would help cover the club's losses and reduce the need to sell players.

CFU recognised that football clubs could not sustain the spiralling player salaries indefinitely. Television money would have to drop eventually and when it did it would be painful for the clubs. We hoped to help fund the redevelopment before that happened.

Too late.

Now we no are longer a league club and have gone through a period of turbulence and financial insecurity. We no longer own our ground and have battled against administration and debt. CFU and the supporters were the lynch pin that held the club together during this period and got the club through.

Now the priorities have changed, but the needs are still as great. We are planning and building for a future that must be built on strong foundations. We will need the help, support and contribution of as many fans as possible, perhaps even more than before.

CFU have launched and financed the Junior U's and South Stand initiatives. These projects will be the foundations that will build the future support of Cambridge United.

So what is CFU?

Cambridge Fans United was established with three aims:

• to help the Club
• to help the Community
• to help the fans.

A group of U's fans worked with the Football Foundation (previously the Football Trust) and the Government-sponsored Supporters Direct group to create a fans' co-operative.

How much can we accomplish together? The Habbin Stand was built by volunteers. The money for the floodlights was raised by subscription. The Club Lottery subsidised players' wages for many years. Working together we can take another great step forward.

In legal terms CFU is an Industrial and Provident Society (like the Co-op). It has been created and will be run by the fans, for the fans. Its legally binding rules ensure that it is fully democratic and non profit-making. Please see the Legal & Financial Conditions page of CFU's website for further details of the Society's structure.

Committee members receive no pay. Members are registered as the owner of a single share on joining but shareholders receive no dividends. All funds raised are put to good use supporting United and the community (less a small amount for running costs).

To join there is a membership subscription which is a minimum of £20 per year. Of course we would be very happy if you paid more. This will entitle you to membership of CFU, the right to vote at any meetings and to stand for and elect the Executive Committee and any Fans' Director on the Board at Cambridge United.

Cambridge United belongs to all of us. Together we can really make a difference.

How Can You Help Us?

CFU have come a long way, but we have further to go. This is an ambitious project but it is an exciting one that can really make a difference to Cambridge United and through them the wider community.

We want you to be part of it as we know that, whoever you are and whatever you do, you have a lot to offer.

You do not have to be wealthy to join. You do not have to commit masses of time. Everyone will be able to contribute something different.

Above all, please get involved. Don't rely on others to help the club you love. We want as many people as possible to join. We want CFU to have a mass membership of fans and others who can help the club and the community by giving a little time, money or advice.

A little help from a lot of people can make a very big difference. We are far stronger together than apart. We can achieve more. And together we can help make the future an even brighter amber!

If you want to help CFU on any projects contact info@cambridgefansunited.org

If you want to join CFU or your membership has lapsed contact info@cambridgefansunited.org

Write to Cambridge Fans United, PO Box 447, Cambridge, CB23 8ZX

Ring 07957 344005

Membership is £20 Adult, £10 Student. It could be the most productive money you spend this year, as we will ensure every penny we receive is spent on building a stronger and more sustainable future for the club we all love

You can visit the CFU web site at www.cambridgefansunited.org