On Sunday a group of Cambridge United supporters met with Stephen Clark, one of the directors of the company that owns the Abbey Stadium.

CFU Statement:

On the afternoon of Sunday January 28th 2007, a group of Cambridge United supporters - including members of the CFU Committee - travelled to Suffolk with the intention of leafleting the village where Stephen Clark, one of John Howard's partners in Bideawhile 445 Ltd, lives. It was also the intention to hand deliver a personal letter to Mr Clark's residence.

The leaflet was to inform his neighbours and local residents of the current situation with regard to Bideawhile's ownership of the Abbey Stadium and our failed attempts to meet with Mr Clark in recent months. The letter to Mr Clark was to highlight growing concerns over the effect the breakdown of communication and dialogue between Bideawhile and Cambridge United is having on the Football Club.

Upon being informed by Suffolk Police of the intent to leaflet his village and visit his home residence, Mr Clark agreed to meet with the group of supporters at a car park outside his village. The meeting lasted over an hour during which a reporter from the Cambridge Evening News and photographer were also present.

During this time the concerns of supporters were expressed and many issues discussed with relation to Bideawhile's ownership of the Abbey Stadium, their plans for the ground as well as the sale of the Abbey Stadium back to Cambridge United Football Club. There were also concerns raised by Mr Clark which have been relayed back to the board of directors at Cambridge United.

During the meeting Mr Clark came across as a well meaning, honest yet frustrated individual who agrees much better channels of communication are needed between himself and the football club to move matters forward, something he is clearly keen to help facilitate. It was impression of all the supporters in attendance that John Howard's involvement in negotiations in recent years has not led to a positive and workable relationship between Mr Clark and Cambridge United.

Mr Clark restated his belief that it is his wish to aid Cambridge United in relocation to an out of town stadium and he provided a dossier showing how his company, Churchmanor Estates, had a proven and successful record in similar ventures over recent years.

We presented Mr Clark with his letter, a Cambridge United replica shirt, as well as an invitation to attend a match at the Abbey Stadium this season, where he would be made welcome. Following the discussions, it was decided the leaflet drop to his neighbours would no longer take place.

We would like to thank Mr Clark for his time on Sunday and hope it will prove to be the first step in new and meaningful discourse with himself and the football club.

Dave Matthew-Jones
Chairman - Cambridge Fans United

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