Skip to content

Football fan travels from US for new stadium debut

Andy Abbott/BBC Shane Whaley, wearing a khaki-coloured coat, black jumper, and black-rimmed glasses, stands in front of a black metal shed and in front of a small group of fellow fans.Andy Abbott/BBC
Shane Whaley started following Cambridge City in 2003 after moving to the city for work but has since relocated to America

A football fan flew from the United States to watch his non-league club's first game in a new purpose-built stadium.

Cambridge City FC were beaten 2-1 by Tilbury at the new FWD/IP Community Stadium in the nearby village of Sawston.

The club had ground-shared with St Ives and Histon since 2012-13 after the Milton Road stadium - where it was based for 91 years - was sold for housing.

Shane Whaley said it was worth the long journey, despite the defeat: "It's one of the few games I've come to in my life where the score doesn't bother me, as the important thing is that City has its own ground."

Tom Jackson/BBC An image of Cambridge City's new stadium, showing the main stand with a sunrise scene in the backgroundTom Jackson/BBC
Cambridge City FC played their first game at the new FWD/IP Community Stadium in Sawston on Saturday

He started following The Lilywhites - who play in English football's eighth tier, the Isthmian's Northern Division - in 2003 after moving to Cambridge for work.

Mr Whaley then relocated to America 14 years ago but has tried to return once or twice a year to watch City play, and said he "loved" the new ground.

"I saw the photographs online but it's nothing like being here. As we drove round the corner into the ground, you see the banners, the logo," he said.

"I'm really excited I can buy a beer at Cambridge City and the money will go to City, rather than to other landlords - to put money into the club is really important.

"The fact we have revenue coming in, [we can] climb up the leagues."

Cambridge City Football Club Cambridge City FC ground at Sawston. A grey football stadium stand and the above is a yellow/orange sunset. There is also a goal with the net folded up at the end of the pitch which runs in front of the standCambridge City Football Club
The new ground was finally given the go-ahead in 2018 after years of planning wrangles

Stadium plans were first approved by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2014 but became the subject of a judicial review after an appeal.

Years of planning wrangles were eventually overcome when a resubmitted application was signed off by the government in 2018.

"Everything this club has faced - losing the ground, the court cases and the appeals - to still be here today is incredible. That is a Champions League effort," Mr Whaley added.

Sawston is their 24th venue since the club - originally named Cambridge Town FC - was founded in 1908.

E Gill/Neil Harvey A black and white photograph from 1912 showing 27 men sitting and standing in rows. Many of the men are dressed in suits with waistcoats, but others are dressed in football kit, and one is holding a football. There is large (2ft/0.6m) trophy showing a winged male figure holding a laurel leaf and trampling on a figure belowE Gill/Neil Harvey
Cambridge Town FC - as it was then known - with the International du Nord Trophy, won in France, in 1912

Michelle Hume was another fan there for the stadium's debut, travelling from Peterborough to support the "family club".

"I was up early today with a knot in my stomach - it's a bit like Christmas morning," she said.

"It's such a good atmosphere and everyone's got smiles on their faces.

"I think it looks amazing. The entrance - it's got the wow factor... it's probably one of the best non-league grounds in the area."

Andy Abbott/BBC Michelle Hume with brown hair dyed red at the ends and wearing a white top with a logo and a black padded coat, stands in front of black metal shed and cream metal fence.Andy Abbott/BBC
Cambridge City fan Michelle Hume said she was initially brought to games by her father and grandfather

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links