Fans Director Brian Attmore answers the latest questions from supporters in Q&A format.
If you have a question for Brian's next Q&A, please e-mail it to cfuinbox@btinternet.com
Q. What progress is being made on relocation to the Milton site? Things have gone quiet on that front.
A. Yes they have gone quiet. My understanding is that the whole site development is no longer as attractive without the tie-up and financial support of a major development partner i.e. a supermarket or hotel.
Bideawhile's initial pressure was to get planning permission in at the same time as that for the Park and Ride site. As you may know, the new P&R site is now up and running so that opportunity has passed.
Q. Have the Club considered moving to the area of the old cement works in Coldhams Lane, which I think would be more suitable for a Football Stadium than a retail or business park?
A. I know the site that you are talking about. The area in Coldhams Lane opposite the Airport that you refer to would definitely be worth considering. It does, however, pose challenges of accessibility and parking, not dissimilar to the issues surrounding our present ground.
As history has shown, there are not many suitable sites, particularly within the Cambridge boundary. The ones that do exist all have varying degrees of suitability. All of them may be enticing for developers to include a community football/sports stadium within their plans. It is this sort of development that can be a crucial lever in them gaining planning permission.
Q. With its excellent road links and work ongoing to create an Addenbrookes relief road, is there scope for the club to look at a location close to the M11 Trumpington exit?
A. Communications-wise and for accessibility, south of the City would make more sense. The higher premium price of the land in that area may be a deterrent for any development other than the most profitable residential/business park. It is an area that we have looked at for a training ground but again the costs involved do not add up for a Club at our level.
Q. We hear that Cambridge City's ground is now under new ownership. Who now owns it and do you think that they will consider ground sharing with us?
A. It has not been announced who is the new owner of their Milton Road ground. I don't know who has purchased it.
However I am not surprised that it has been sold on. The moment that there was the ruling that they have to vacate at the end of the 2009-10 season, the value of the freehold must have instantly risen. To have vacant possession without the 'sitting tenant' opens the way for redevelopment of the site. That is why having our lease and ensuring we have the ability to pay our rent is so important.
We have not heard anything from the City Board on the subject of possible ground sharing. The last time we met up and spoke about it was two seasons ago. It was left with them that the door was open and they were welcome to discuss the matter further if they so wished.
Q. If we were not to move from our Newmarket Road ground, how do you think we should progress with updating it?
A. When you look around the ground there are a number of areas that need updating. We have over the past year made improvements to the Harris Suite, the front offices, plus some of the toilets for the North Stand and the Main Stand.
In the grand scheme of things these are relatively minor and with an ageing ground the maintenance needs and their associated costs increase all the time.
As a business we need to continue to look at ways of increasing revenue from the site. Whilst the leasing out of part of the Corona Car Park and the under croft of the South Stand have shown the way it can be done, there is greater potential in developing the front of the ground.
By this I don't mean the grand scheme that includes a 4,500 seater stand at the Newmarket Road End, for which we have planning permission. The figures for that would not add up but we may need to think creatively as to how we can use the space we have to improve facilities and at the same time generate both non-matchday and matchday income.
The Newmarket Road End is living on borrowed time and I along with others have concerns about its future life span. It has an atmosphere, history and 'quaintness' that would be hard or impossible to replicate. Consideration has to be given to this or conditions may force our hand.
Q. How do I go about purchasing shares in the Club?
A. Cambridge United Football Club Limited is a private company. As such the Club is not allowed to advertise the sale of shares and we are not allowed to offer financial advice to anyone interested in buying them.
What I can say is that there are at present over 48 million unissued shares out of an authorised share capital of just under 70 million. These have a notional value of 5p. The minimum purchase is £250 worth, which equals 5,000 shares. All share purchase requests have to be agreed by the Board of Directors.
To apply, send a letter and cheque to the Company Secretary Wayne Purser at Cambridge United Football Club, The Trade Recruitment Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8LN.
There is also a 'Share Save' scheme, which a number of supporters use to buy shares. Through this they have a Standing Order whereby they save a regular amount (a minimum of £10 per month). Once the requisite amount of money has been saved the money is converted into shares. Again for this more details can be obtained from the Club Secretary.
Q. We have already had two games moved in January due to Setanta coverage. How many more can we expect to be rearranged?
A. You are referring to the away game at Wrexham and the home game against Oxford that have been moved to Thursday 22nd and Thursday 29th January respectively. These were both moved from their scheduled dates to accommodate the television coverage.
As a result our away game at Rushden and Diamonds has been put back 24 hours (to Sunday 1st February) to allow our players more recovery time, resulting in another change away from the published fixture list.
At the time of writing we now hear that the game at Kidderminster has been put back two days from the Saturday to Monday 9th February and the Histon return game, postponed from New Years Day, is to be played on Monday 2nd March.
All these are to be televised by Setanta, and to be honest I would expect some more to be selected before the season is out, especially if we can continue to mount a promotion challenge.
Just to further muddy the waters with fixtures, we have yet to contend with the worst of the winter conditions and Cup games have priority over League games. Hence, with a record number of Non-League teams still in the FA Cup and only the 1st Round games of the FA Trophy played, even if we are not involved then there is the possibility that our scheduled opponents are.
It is a situation that we as a Club and supporters have not had to face before. Well, not to this degree. These things do not make it easy for fans wishing to make arrangements well in advance. Let's face it, as supporters we start making our plans as soon as the season's fixtures come out in the summer. I know that Setanta have pledged wherever possible to give at least a month's notice of any changes.
On the positive side there is a financial benefit to the Club from appearing on TV. It gives unprecedented exposure to the Blue Square Premiership and the commercial benefits to both the League and individual Clubs is missed by those who are promoted or relegated.
Cambridge United is an attractive club and team for the TV to feature. Viewing figures matter to Setanta as income is generated from subscriptions and advertising revenue, and the bigger clubs at our level obviously have the greater impact on this.
I have been told as well that Setanta make a high proportion of their money from selling their product abroad. Not only are the Premiership games seen around the World, but also those from the Blue Square Premier, in countries that often screen British football up to 24 hours a day.
Thanks to Brian Attmore for his time in answering the questions. To send your questions for the next one, please e-mail cfuinbox@btinternet.com
Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!
You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.
AT081223
