Following Tracey Crouch MP’s fan-led review of football, Cambridge United is leading the way in its implementation of her report’s recommendations, announcing a Shadow Board for fans last week. It is one of the first clubs in the country to do so following the report’s release last year. 

The aim of the new Shadow Board is to create better fan engagement and allow fans of Cambridge United to have a stronger voice in the running of their club. The board will comprise representatives from existing fan groups, and will meet regularly with club executives. 

The fan groups involved are Cambridge Fans United, Cambridge United Supporters Panel and Amber Belles. All three have represented fans of the club for many years. 

The Shadow Board and the associated Golden Share (a rule which gives fans the power of veto on matters such as the stadium, badge, location and colours of the club) are recommendations of Crouch’s report. The report’s aim was to make recommendations to increase fan representation and protect fan interests, and to ensure the sustainability of clubs at all levels of the football pyramid. Cambridge United was the only EFL club represented on the advisory panel of the review. 

Fans are best able to protect the club’s traditions, prevent the sale of the ground against the will of those who attend, change the name and colours of clubs. In 2012, Cardiff City controversially changed the colours of its home kit from blue, white and yellow to red and black. In 2014, Hull City’s owners nearly succeeded in changing the club name to Hull Tigers, but were stopped by the FA Council. 

Being one of the first to adopt this recommendation speaks volumes about the way the club and its owner, Paul Barry, feel about the importance of the fans. The desire for all parts of the club to work in close cooperation allows the fan groups to concentrate on helping the club and improving fan experiences, rather than constantly fighting for their voice to be heard by the executive. The Cambridge United motto, “United in Endeavour,” has not always rung true, but it does now. 

Regarding Cambridge’s implementation of her recommendation, Tracey Crouch said that “it is great to see Cambridge United putting fan engagement at the very heart of their club with the creation of a new Shadow Board. It represents a model for others to follow and will no doubt help strengthen the club as they look to modernise and develop their facilities now they have repurchased the Abbey Stadium.” The repurchase of the stadium is another reason for celebration. Fears of relocation have been removed. 

Shaun Grady, Chairman of the Board, said that “this is an important step in the next stage of the club’s development. It is often said, because it is true, that without fans football is nothing and everyone at CUFC knows how fortunate we are to have such brilliant supporters who have been there through thick and thin. 

“As we look ahead to new opportunities as a club, we believe the Shadow Board can further strengthen us. For example, we want to modernise and make the Abbey […] ‘our forever home’ - an area where the Shadow Board will have a vital role to play in helping shape future plans and where they can act as a fans’ voice in the process. At the same time, we will need to work together over the coming year to put in place the right Golden Share protections for the future.” 

It is expected that there will be four meetings a year with the first to be held on Monday October 17th when the Shadow Board will meet representatives from the club.