Football Ground Guide - Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Looking Towards The Marstons Smooth South Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Main Stand (photo) Where To Drink? North Terrace (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park A Closer Look At The Marstons Smooth South Stand (photo) By Train Ground Layout Local Rivals Admission Prices Programme Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2007-2008 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
The Main Stand on one side is a covered two tiered all seated stand, part of which is used as a Family enclosure. This stand has a number of supporting pillars. Opposite is the Habbin Stand, which is for home supporters and is mostly covered. Again there are a number of supporting pillars. At one end of the ground is the Marstons Smooth South Stand, which was opened in 2002. This good sized covered single tiered, all seated stand, replaced a former open terrace. The seating area is raised in this stand, meaning that supporters enter the stand via a small flight of stairs. The North Terrace at the other end of the ground is covered. However, it only runs for about half the width of the pitch, with one side ending in line with the eighteen yard box. Thus there is a large open area at one corner of the ground. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The Club have abandoned plans to further re-develop the Abbey Stadium and are now investigating the possibility of finding suitable land on which to build a new stadium. Top Of Page
Looking Towards The Marstons Smooth South Stand
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans will normally be housed the Marstons Smooth South Stand where up to 1,600 fans can be accommodated. This relatively new covered, all seated stand has good facilities. Graham Young adds; 'On the whole Cambridge is a good day out as it is generally relaxed and friendly'. Tony Hoare a visiting Bournemouth fan informs me; 'the stewards in the South Stand seemed rather strict in making away fans sit down at all times, for reasons of 'health and safety'. Even in the back row of the stand, where no-one's view is affected. Gastronomically, the bacon rolls lived up to their good reputation'. For a small number of games away fans will instead be located in the South side of the Habbin Stand, a covered terrace housing almost 1,000. The entrance to the away section is reached by walking along a path through what appears to be a common field that is used from time to time to graze cows (well judging from the number of cow pats!). Not much fun at the best times and especially when it is a bit more difficult to see for those night games! Top Of Page
Main Stand
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Where To Drink?
There is a supporters club at the ground (which I am informed does reasonably priced food and is friendly), that allows in away supporters. Graham Young informs me; 'the main pub for away fans is the Greyhound, which is about a 5-10 minute walk from the away end across Coldhams Common (go under the railway bridge and follow the track along until you reach it)'. Mark Walker recommends The Wrestlers Arms, which is about half a mile away from the ground on Newmarket Road. 'An excellent selection of beers, and rather bizarrely, fantastic, authentic Thai food'. Antony Wallis a visiting Hull supporter adds; 'as you leave the A14 and pass through Fen Ditton you will see a pub on the left called the Blue Lion. It serves real ale and good food'. Top Of Page
North Terrace
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How To Get There And Where To Park
From the North: Take the A1 and A14 to Cambridge, heading towards Newmarket. Turn off onto the B1047 sign posted for Cambridge Airport. At the top of the slip road turn right towards Fen Ditton. Go through Fen Ditton until you reach a T Junction, where at the traffic lights you turn right into Newmarket Road. Go straight across the roundabout (there is a McDonalds on one corner) and you will come to Abbey Stadium on your left hand side. From the South: Take the M11 to Junction 14 and then join the A14 towards Newmarket. Turn off onto the B1047 sign posted for Cambridge Airport. Then as North. From the West: Take the A428 to Cambridge, then join the A14, heading towards Newmarket. Turn off onto the B1047 sign posted for Cambridge Airport. Then as North. There is a small car park at the ground, but you�ll be lucky to get to park in it as it is nearly always full. Other parking in the surrounding side streets is limited. Off road car parking is provided behind the ground. To reach this, continue past the ground entrance for another 400 yards and turn left at the traffic lights into Coldhams Lane. Continue for about 300 yards, crossing a small roundabout and over a railway bridge, The car park entrance is on the left about 50 yards beyond the bridge. Thanks to Chris Armstrong for providing the directions and car parking details. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
A Closer Look At The Marstons Smooth South Stand
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By Train
Cambridge railway station is over two miles away, best catch a taxi (about �5). If you decide to walk to the ground, then it is a fair old stroll, and a mazey route, but should only take 30 minutes at a good pace. Leave the station and take the first right hand turn into Tenison Avenue. Just beyond the traffic lights turn right into St. Barnabas Road. Follow this road along over the traffic lights and into Gywdir Road. Go through the traffic barrier and take the first left turn into Norfolk street. Then take the first right turn just past the newsagents into St. Matthews Street, pass the church and take the 4th right into New Street. Follow all the way along until you reach Coldhams Lane. Head left here and then take the first right onto Newmarket Road, continue along this road for the ground. Thanks to 'Main Stand Matt' for providing the directions. Richard Green a visiting Macclesfield Town fan adds; 'There are frequent buses that run to the Abbey stadium before and after the game. I got on the C3, although the bus drivers in Cambridge directed me to several different numbered buses before a more 'down-to-earth' Cambridge fan (who was actually a bus driver), correctly directed me to the C3 bus. The bus journey takes 10-15 minutes'. The fare is �2.50 return. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Local Rivals
Peterborough United & Northampton Town. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Seating: Adults �15, Concessions �10, Juniors �7 Terrace: Adults �12, Concessions �8, Juniors �3 Family Enclosure: Adults �15, Concessions �10, Juniors �3 Concessions apply to Over 60's and students in full time education. Top Of Page
Programme
Official Programme: �2.50 Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Fixtures 2007-2008
For the Cambridge fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 14,000 v Chelsea Friendly, May 1st 1970. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 2,815 (Conference National) 2005-2006: 2,607 (Conference National) 2004-2005: 3,616 (League Two) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The Abbey Stadium
Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 26/12/00. Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Cambridge page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide.


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