City Survivors: Stoicism and Cambridge City's fight for a new home.

Words: Ben Phillips

Images: Ben Phillips.

Cambridge City is a club that has floated around the non-Leagues for many years.

Its journey as a club has been marked by significant challenges.

From the loss of its beloved Milton Road stadium, to a long spell of homelessness, City’s loyal fans and dedicated volunteers have helped sustain its existence through some of the darkest times.

Now, after 11 years of displacement, Cambridge City is back, playing in a new home and reawakening the passions of fans old and new.

The City Ground, (Milton Road) had been the Lilywhites’ home since 1922 and held fond memories for supporters over the years.

©Ben Phillips/ Terrace Edition. Cambridge City FC.

However, a shocking high court case regarding elements of the sale of Milton Road, rocked football in Cambridgeshire and, during a tough period, the club were demoted from the Conference South to the Southern League.

Planning permission was granted on the Milton Road site for a housing development in 2013. This meant that the last game City played at Milton Road was in April 2013 when they beat Redditch United.

Football fans are the driving heartbeat of any football club and this was proved during the difficult period for City, when the fans galvanised and created a supporters’ trust which also saw lifelong City fan Kevin Satchell installed as the club's chairman.

Working together as a team, they ensured even though the club was homeless, that there would be a future for Cambridge City.

The loss of the ground in 2013 marked the beginning of an 11 year spell where Cambridge City were without a home of their own.

During this period, they were forced to ground-share at various temporary venues, including near neighbours Histon and then St Ives Town.

While these temporary housing kept the club alive, they lacked the character, history and connection to the local community that Milton Road had provided for so long for many, in the centre of Cambridge.

The Club's inability to secure a permanent home seemed like an insurmountable challenge, yet through it all, one constant remained: the unwavering support of the club’s loyal fan base.

The passion of the fans, many of whom have supported the club for generations, has been nothing short of inspiring, whether it was from volunteering on a match day to just giving moral support or helping raise vital funds, the Lilywhites’ faithful never gave up hope of finding a new permanent home.

In 2014 there was a breakthrough, as it was announced Club president Len Satchell had purchased a 35-acre site in nearby village.

Sawston and Cambridgeshire District Council announced plans for a new 3,000 capacity stadium in Sawston too.

The planning permission was finally granted in 2018. The building of the new stadium was met with further challenges however, such as planning appeals, Covid and a rise in stadium costs.

The development finally got off the ground in 2021.

Finally, the Cambridge City fans had an end in sight and the long wait was over, when they got to witness the club play the first fixture in their new home on 30th November at the FWD/IP stadium against Tilbury in front of a crowd of 1,459.

The stadium is a great set up for non-League as, along with the main pitch, the also has an artificial 3G pitch, currently in use for training of all Cambridge City teams, local teams and the community, as well as external hire.

It also has further community land available and it's hoped the new stadium in Sawston will allow the club to form a new bond in the local people and have a positive effect for all parties and mark more growth in attendances.

Ultimately Cambridge City's story is one of resilience and loyalty in the face of adversity.

Despite the significant challenges the club has faced, from losing their ground and spending over a decade without a home, the City have emerged stronger, supported by an unyielding fanbase and a dedicated network of volunteers.

The return to a permanent ground is a fresh start, but the story of Cambridge City is far from over.

One thing is certain: The loyalty of the fans and the tireless efforts of its volunteers will remain the beating heart of the club, driving it forward.

The future of the Lilywhites, is in its own hands now, and this is a perfect opportunity for the club to bloom once more and become a force again in non-League football.

You can find Ben on X: @benphillips2020 and Instagram: benphillips2013

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