Cambridge United

CAMBRIDGE United are pleased to announce that the Varsity Football Match between Cambridge University and Oxford University will be held at the R Costings Abbey Stadium on Sunday 8th March, kick off 3pm.  

This will be the 131st playing of the Varsity Match, having been played every year since 1873, allowing breaks for the First and Second World War.  Cambridge will go into the match having won the last three editions. The match has been played at some prestigious venues in its history, including the old Wembley Stadium, Highbury and Stamford Bridge. More recently, Craven Cottage has been a regular home, but the R Costings Abbey Stadium did also host the match in 2010, with Oxford emerging victorious after penalties.

 

This event is further evidence of the growing relationship between Cambridge United and Cambridge University. Having coached the Light Blues to Varsity success at Craven Cottage last year, U’s CEO Jez George was instrumental in bringing the fixture to Cambridge United this time round: “It is a privilege for our club to host such a prestigious fixture.  We are proud of our involvement with the Blues team and developing links with such an iconic institution, which is synonymous with excellence and ensures Cambridge is a city that is renowned throughout the world.  Cambridge United has similar aspirations; we want to play an ever increasing role within our local community and be seen as a real asset for the city.  

Jez continued: We had a brief moment on the international stage with our FA Cup tie against Manchester United and our association with Cambridge University can only help us to fulfil our vision for the future.  I really hope that “Town & Gown” can unite to give this fixture the support it deserves."

 

Cambridge University captain, James May, will no doubt be hoping home advantage can give the Light Blues the edge come Sunday 8th March, allowing him to lead the team to a fourth successive Varsity success. “It was officially Oxford's turn to host the match, given that the last game in either Oxford or Cambridge was at Cambridge City in 2012. However, when their talks with the Kassam Stadium broke down we were delighted to be able to offer The R Costings Abbey as an alternative. Cambridge United have been very generous in accommodating us - and for that we would like to thank them. I and the rest of the Blues squad are now buzzing to get out there on the 8th March in front of a strong Light Blue crowd!”