Cambridge City FC  

Cambridge City have a proud history with plenty of on the field success to look back on but the clubs recent story, like that of so many other clubs, has been one of controversy behind the scenes, financial problems and the very real threat of closure and extinction.   

The last few years have been difficult ones for the Milton Road faithful but the club, now run by its supporters trust, recently celebrated the news from the High Court that they will be allowed to stay at their ground in the short-term as well as being granted 50% of the profits when the ground is eventually sold for redevelopment.   

The decision bringing some relief after years of wrangling about the clubs valuable piece of real estate at Milton Road. 

Thankfully such financial complications were far from anyone’s mind when the club was formed as Cambridge Town 1908.  Strict adherents to the amateur code, Town began life in the Bury and District League winning the Championship in 1911 before graduating to the Southern Amateur League.   

The 1920s and 30s saw Town become a force to be reckoned with and an FA Amateur Cup semi-final appearance in 1928 was the springboard for a remarkable run of success in which the club landed the Southern Amateur League title four times in five seasons between 1928 and 1932. 

With the resumption of competitive football following the Second World War Town found themselves playing in the Spartan League winning the Eastern Division in the first season of peace-time football followed by two Premier Division titles in 1948 and 49.   

Two years later Cambridge was granted ‘city’ status and the club took the City name despite opposition from neighbours Abbey United who became Cambridge United.   

The new name soon heralded a change of direction and the club finally embraced professionalism in 1958 when they joined the Southern League. 

1962/63 was a remarkable season in which Cambridge City won the Southern League championship by a three point margin from rivals United after a thrilling contest.  Unfortunately City were not voted into the Football League, a decision which would soon come back to haunt them.   

Another championship in 1967 was immediately followed by relegation to the Southern League First Division.  Though they bounced back after just two seasons it was only to see United land the championship in 1970 and, ironically, be voted into the Football League to replace the unfortunate Bradford Park Avenue. 

Runners-up spot the next season again saw City apply for promotion to the full-time ranks but their application was, unsurprisingly, turned down. 

With United in the Football League, City’s fortunes turned and many years of moderate form followed though the Lillywhites did win the Southern League Southern Division in 1986. 

Although successes on the pitch have been few and far between the did reach their highest league placing for three decades in 2005 when they were runners-up in the Conference South.   

Some fine runs in the FA Cup have also lifted the fans morale and now, with the future financial well-being  of the club now seemingly secured, City will be hoping that history reverses itself and it is they, and not United, who will be the next Cambridge Football League club.