It's hell on and off the pitch at Cambridge
By Nathan Jackson
June 4 2005
A season that was disappointing in all senses for Cambridge United eventually resulting in relegation. A season that was bad both on and off the pitch ended with the ultimate down despite putting up a brave fight near the end.
Team Manager : Harve Renard (August-January), Steve Thompson (January - current)
Average Crowd : 3,616 (Highest : 6,715, Lowest : 2,021)
Season Review: Cambridge came into the season on the back of major financial difficulties and most were glad just to have a club but the stence of financial difficulties didn't go away and were eventually placed into administration.
On the pitch, things weren't much better. Only 8 points from their first 10 games saw them at the bottom of the table despite only 4 defeats in that time. Goalkeeper John Ruddy emerged and was impressing everyone despite only being 17 when the season started, eventually the keeper would agree to join Everton in the summer. Wins were extremely hard to come by and when they came to Lincoln in late February, they had only won 3 games all season, however, the 2 games immediatly after the defeat at Sincil Bank saw a maximum haul of 6 points and they only lost 4 games after the defeat at Sincil Bank. However, it still wasn't enough. Even if they hadn't gone into administration, they would have been relegated although they would have been spared the embarrasement of bottom spot.
So Cambridge have been relegated to the conference, something that could be catastrophic to their survival hopes as instead of playing teams that bring big crowds, they're playing teams like Tamworth, Canvey Island and Northwich Victoria (no offence to those teams). I sincerely hope Cambridge survive and make a swift return to the football league.
Biggest Wins : Rushden and Darlington (3-1)
Biggest Defeats : Scunthorpe (4-0)
Top Goalscorer : Shane Tudor and Jermaine Easter (7)
Turning Point of the Season - Oddly enough, the turning point of 2004/5, happened in 2003/4 with the sale of Dave Kitson, if he hadn't been sold then it's fairly safe to say they wouldn't have been relegated but then again, that money came in very useful into getting Cambridge into this season in the first place.
Next Season? : It's hard to see them doing anything other than a midtable finish to be honest.
In one sentence not exceeding 10 words, describe your season : A total disaster, really couldn't have been much worse
Was your season a success or a disappointment?: Last answer says that really, it has been absolutely awful! On and off the pitch, nothing has gone to plan, we were supposed to be pushing for promotion!