Shadow Board
The Club's Shadow Board was formed in 2022 following the repurchase of the Cledara Abbey Stadium and is one of the key recommendations of the Tracey Crouch Fan Led Review in which Cambridge United were the only EFL club represented on the Advisory Panel...
The Shadow Board meet with the Club every quarter and minutes are recorded and published online.
View the latest Shadow Board minutes here:
Meet the Shadow Board members below:
Nigel Browne
Fan Group: CUSP
Years Supporting Club: 58 years
I have been supporting the U's since 1966 when my late father took me to a Southern League match vs Weymouth. I now have two grown up sons who are also supporters and one grandson season ticket holder, with three other grandchildren waiting to follow. They will be the fourth generation of Browne's to follow United.
I am very honoured to be the first chairperson of the Shadow Board of Cambridge United and feel the club being one of the leading clubs in implementing the Football Governance Bill and the Fan's Led Review is a big step forward for our club and football in general in this country. I will certainly do my best to represent the fans and the club and to protect the important parts of our club's heritage.
Nigel Pearce
Fan Group: 100 Years of Coconuts
Years Supporting Club: 50+
I’ve been supporting United regularly since the mid-70s, although my first match was the Chelsea friendly in 1970 as a 10-year-old. In 1987 I co-founded the Abbey Rabbit fanzine, which ran for 10 years and over 50 editions. In 2005, after the club’s relegation from the Football League had been confirmed, I organised the fans’ solidarity march from the city centre to the Abbey Stadium before the final game of the season. More recently I was a member of the CFU Trust Board from 2017 to 2019, and led the drafting of the constitutions of the Supporters’ Panel and the Shadow Board. I’m a member of CFU and the Supporters’ Club, and represent 100 Years of Coconuts, the club’s heritage group, on the Shadow Board. On matchdays I can be found in the Main Stand, Block D.
I recently attended the 2024 Football Supporters’ Association conference. During a session on fan engagement, the extent to which Cambridge United is ahead of the game became very evident – we need to ensure that remains the case for years to come.
Anouska Wright
Fan Group: Amber Belles
Years Supporting Club: 32 years
I started regularly attending matches in 1990 and what a time that was to be involved. It has always been a family affair for us, first attending with my Mum, Dad and Brother and now also with my Boyfriend and Son.
I am proud to be part of the first Shadow Board as I am passionate about fan engagement. I would like to help enhance the matchday experience and ensure a safe and accepting environment for all of our fans. I look forward to being a voice for our fans in ensuring our club progresses but also retains its heritage.
Jim Hardingham
Fan Group: Supporters Club
Years Supporting Club: 60+
I have been supporting the U’s all my life. I have strong connections with the Football Club, the Supporters Club and have served on many committees throughout the years, leading to becoming trustee.
I am humbled to be asked to serve on the shadow board, with new exciting times ahead of us all with the redevelopment of the stadium. If I can help bridge a connection fans and club, it will be most satisfying.
Philip Saich
Fan Group: CUFC Lottery and CUSP
Years Supporting Club: 35 years
I’ve been supporting the U’s since university days, finally becoming a season ticket holder in 2014. My aim is to help ensure the Shadow Board protects the Club for future generations. I’m also on the Cambridge United Supporters’ Panel (CUSP) and hope to ensure that fans not only have a voice in the future direction the Club takes but are also kept fully informed of developments on and off the field.
Andrew Stephen
Fan Group: CFU
Years Supporting Club: 57 years
I have been a fan since 1967 when I was taken to the Abbey to watch a dismal performance at home under the floodlights against Cambridge City. City had a fine side at the time but it never occurred to me to support them or anyone else since. I was hooked from the first game. Since then I have seen the highs of Wembley, cup runs and promotions and the lows of relegation from the football league and humiliation at the hands of Hayes and Yeading and, worst of all, Histon.
We nearly went out of existence, lost our ground and it is testament to the loyalty of so many that United have emerged the other side, stronger and fitter. It was seeing how important our football club is to the community it serves which persuaded me to join the CFU committee, eventually becoming Chairman at a time of great change.
I have returned to the back benches now but am happy to contribute what I can to the development of the club. The Shadow Board offers fans a real say in the issues which affect them which is why I am pleased to be a part of it. I have been a season ticket holder for twenty years and for many years travelled from Nottingham for home games. Your club chooses you and I’m glad that mine was United.
Chris Nield
Fan Group: CUSP
Years Supporting Club: 30 years
I’ve followed the U's for over 30 years, first when a student here in the 80s and more recently since their return to League when I also moved back into the area to live.
I get to most home games (North Habbin season ticket holder) and away ones when I can. I am currently Chair of CUSP and have been a member since it was formed plus I’m part of the volunteer group, usually working as an Abbey Helper by the shop/ticket office.