Fans react to 'nerve-wracking' United promotion

Celebrations are taking place across the city after Cambridge United secured automatic promotion from League Two.

A goalless draw at Crewe Alexandra secured a place for Neil Harris's team in League One on Saturday.

Supporters travelling back from Cheshire described a mix of relief and excitement, with a missed penalty from Ben Knight adding late drama before celebrations began at full-time.

Speaking after the game, fan Nadine Gooding said: "We've got a two-and-a-half-hour drive home with our three kids - chanting all the way. Maybe trying not to explain some of the swear words we heard in the game.

"It's an amazing result. Very excited, very happy that we're in League One next year.

"We didn't do it the easy way. I genuinely didn't think we were going to do it."

Andy Bourne described the game as a "nerve-wracking" end to a "pretty strong season".

"It's all sinking in to be honest. How did we not score? I don't know, but the job is done, so brilliant," he said.

"It's going to be tough in League One, but I think if we regroup, especially if we've got Harris, we should do alright."

Adrian Brown has been a United supporter for about 30 years and also praised the manager.

"It was an absolutely terrible game. They gave it to us, I think, rather than us winning it," he said.

"Over the season though, I think we deserved it, maybe even deserved better. Some results could have gone our way and didn't."

John and Nicola Bowyer said the game was "emotionally and mentally draining" for fans.

"Typical Cambridge United - nervy finish. We always do things the hard way," the pair said.

"I've been a fan since I was about six, it's never easy. You've got to bottle these moments and relive them," they added.

"I'm so pleased for the players, for Neil Harris, and for the club. They've restructured things really well. It's a brilliant day for us."

Michael Charge, who had travelled from Malta to support the team, said he was "delighted" and "buzzing" at the return to the third flight, having been relegated last year.

"It was nail-biting, an emotional rollercoaster. I'll head back to my hotel tonight and fly back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to League One, even if it costs me a bit more in travel," he said.

"Harris has done the job. We had doubts when he came back, but you can't ask for more than promotion.

"Next year though, we need a striker. Someone who can score goals. None of us want to go through that again."

Anouska Wright from female fan group Amber Belles said she was "very happy the club has been promoted".

"It was a very edgy game and because we weren't winning, we were obviously looking at the other scores at the same time for the other teams to see how they were doing," she said.

"I think financially it's always a good thing for the club but for the fans it's just great to have something to celebrate and after a season where we've been winning every week - something to look forward to again."

Peter Day, chairman of the Cambridge United Supporters' Club, said the U's had "come a long way in a short time".

He wasn't able to get to the game due to cabaret evening at the club on Saturday evening.

"I saw the game on TV and I think I had about 110 heart attacks during it," he joked.

"It [promotion] was never expected at the beginning of the season, so its amazing really and full credit to the club and everybody concerned."

Talking about what the promotion means, he said: "The club have their plans now to find a different place to move to and that's not going to be easy.

"Another challenge is finding suitable players for that particular league because there's a big difference between the divisions.

"I think the challenge they will have is that they haven't got the money that a lot of the other clubs have got.

"They have to be attractive enough to bring in the right players and I'm confident that they'll do that to a degree."

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said he was a Posh fan but added he wanted the promotion so fans could enjoy the derby games.

He said positive results for both clubs could help boost the local economy.

"I want to see both football clubs growing, doing well - I think is a great thing.

"That's why I want to see them in new stadiums, set for the future.

"So when people go to watch Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium, they go to the nearby restaurants and pubs and spend money.

"I sincerely hope that people are celebrating in Cambridge after their fantastic results.

"It's going to be a successful football club and good for the economy in both Peterborough and Cambridge."

Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire "it was a tough game" and that he was "proud of the team".

"We weren't the better team but we had the better chances, even in the 96th minute, to win it outright," he said.

Earlier this year, the club said it was "open-minded" about moving to a new stadium in the long-term, if redevelopment of the Abbey Stadium was not possible.

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