With less than seven days remaining, are you assured of a place in Cambridge United's history? September 16th 2010 is the deadline for fans to see their name appear in the Limited Edition publication "Cambridge 'Til I Die". In fact, with dedications restricted to the first 500 names and well over 300 pre-orders already received, it may be wise to place your order now! http://www.tilidie.co.uk/buy.html
Recently, we've seen Steve Claridge's endorsement of the book HERE and Soccer AM's Max Rushden has also thrown his weight behind the project.
"I'm Happy To Help" is the recurring response from Max when approached on matters concerning CUFC. Six months ago, the man from Soccer AM's sofa threw his hat into the ring as a supporter of the bid to buy-back the Abbey Stadium (from previous landlords, Bideawhile). Max also joined Jez George on part of his "Walk For Change" and made a guest appearance as a player in the "All Stars" match which raised significant funds for the campaign.
It's pretty clear that CUFC is dear to Max's heart, but he does point out that he has no aspirations of buying the Football Club - "I have to buy a flat first!" he jokes.
Here he talks openly to Cambridge Fans United (CFU) about some of his treasured CUFC memories…
CFU: What was your first CUFC game?
Max R: It's a bit of a blur (which if we're honest is not always a bad thing with a U's game) but I remember it was a 2-2 draw with Exeter City. I think it was 1985, or '86. Steve Spriggs scored twice. I seem to remember he was a short, fat, striker - but that might be hugely disingenuous of me, but it's what I remember (CFU - he was a midfielder Max, but we'll forgive you that inaccuracy as you were only 5 at the time!)
CFU: Your first momentous occasion at the Abbey?
Max R: The U's vs Halifax 1989/90 - I was 10 years old, and fifteen minutes into the game - there was a bomb scare. I remember it so vividly. The tannoy man, who has been the same since time began, just said "there's been a bomb scare" - no hype, no panic, one of the greatest voices. Everyone just stood up, wandered out and waited for 20 minutes. Once, unsurprisingly, no bomb had been found, we all just wandered back in a won 1-0.
CFU: And your worst game?
Max R: (Well one of them!) - I was going out with a girl called Helen (not that one). A group of us were at laser quest near the Grafton Centre. I had to sneak off without telling her to get to the game. Not entirely sure how I thought I'd explain it later. Anyway, off I went on my bike. Watched 94 minutes of pain. Nothing happened. Then someone lumped it towards John Vaughan. He sprinted out, the ball bounced over him and a 72 year old Neil McNab scored. The relationship didn't last.
CFU: What was your Best/Worst Journey to a game?
Max R: Apart from a game away at Watford when another Junior U threw up on me after eating too many Flying Saucers - has to be the LDV Vans trophy final against Blackpool at the Millenium stadium. Like most big games, we were able to persuade a few glory hunting mates to come. We decided to hire an LDV van to be ironic. Just as we were crossing the Severn Bridge, the gear box broke. So 15 of us were stuck on the verge - all in our kits. Every time a U's or Blackpool fan beeped their horn, we all fell over. At least we thought it was funny. We got towed to Newport I think, and then got the train to the stadium. The strangest part of the game was when the tannoy said, and now to sing the Cambridge United anthem - and bizarrely Labi Siffre's "Something Inside So Strong" was played at full volume. Anyway we got hammered - and we all had to bag lifts of other U's fans. I was going to stay in Cardiff until someone recognised my voice from a terrible and very long gag I'd told on the terraces the week before and gave me a lift. Thanks for that. I don't know what happened to the van.
CFU: And the Best CUFC Goal you've seen was...?
No 1 is Lee Philpott v Bristol City obviously. But for a sheer moment: Gary Rowett. Last minute. Home to Port Vale. Sleet, Snow, Orange Ball. Bottom corner. It wasn't a classic, but the NRE went wild. No idea what year.
CFU: Max, who's your all-time Favourite U's Player?
Max R: Got to be Michael Cheetham
CFU: Has there ever been a time when you just couldn't bring yourself to watch the action?
Max R: When Shaggy stepped up to take that penno at Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup in 2000 or 2001. I'd got the train from uni in Oxford, I hadn't had any dinner, I'd completely lost my voice. What a hero.
CFU: Most depressing moment following the U's Max?
Max R: Failing to beat Cardiff with 8 (eight) men. David Ellary was the ref I think. 0-0. Hilarious. (I also find looking at the old Division 2 table from around Christmas 91/92 season pretty depressing. We were that close to the Premier League. We could have been Hull, or Blackpool - going to all those grounds. I guess we could again, one day).
CFU: And the most painful moment?
Max R: Joining Jez George for a 22 mile walk from Torquay to Exeter, in a pair of old trainers and jeans. A lot of chafing.
CFU: Can you give us a random CUFC thought, Max?
Max R: I love the tree that sits above the Habbin Stand. Sometimes, especially during an evening game, I'll gaze at the silhouette of the tree. When I grow up, make millions of pounds, buy the club and build a massive stadium - I'll uproot that tree and make sure it sticks out of the new Habbin stand, although I suspect the tree has more protection from the council than the club!
CFU: Your most surreal CUFC moment?
Max R: 2009, Dion Dublin rings me, asks if I want to play alongside the glory team of the early 90s, at the Abbey. 2 months later, I walk into the dressing room. There they all are. My boyhood heroes. I introduce myself and they know who I am! I've been lucky enough to play at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Wembley - but I don't think that'll ever be topped
CFU: And do you have an even more surreal moment?
Max R: Now I think about it, the most surreal moment was wandering up to a man in Wycombe and asking how to get to Adam's Park (1st game of the season, we got battered 3-0). His head was sticking over a fence. It was only when I got up to the fence did I realise he was completely naked, barring a spade and some wellies. I've not been back to Wycombe...
CFU would like to thank Max Rushden for supporting the Cambridge 'Til I Die book project. Just in case you are unaware, "Cambridge 'Til I Die" is the new Cambridge United book written by the fans for the fans. It is packed full of interesting and amusing tales & illustrated throughout with full colour photographs. Orders can be placed now at the CFU Caravan on match days. Priced just £10 (plus P&P if applicable). Publication will be in October 2010.
Those within the first 500 pre-ordering before 16th September have the chance to see their name or the name of a loved one, (mother, father, brother, friend) appear as a dedication in the book. Space is now becoming limited for dedications, so fans are urged to pre-order online now at http://www.tilidie.co.uk/buy.html to avoid disappointment.
Please support the Cambridge 'Til I Die project by buying the book. Our aim is twofold: (1) to produce a first class product that is a unique collection of fans CUFC memories throughout the decades, and (2) to raise a significant sum which CFU can put to good use helping CUFC. 100% of all sales proceeds from the book will pass to CFU.
Reporting by Kevin Robson and Doug Shulman
