Cambridge Utd

Cambridge Utd
Cambridge future put in jeopardy The future of cash-strapped Cambridge United is in doubt after a row between the club and customs' officials. Talks broke down over the debt-hit club's plans to pay back creditors. HM Customs are not happy with their share of repayments - and United will need to find emergency funding if a deal is not struck by Wednesday. United are in administration and will not be allowed to join the Conference if they do not reach an agreement with their football creditors. "I'm sure all our fans will be very, very upset and angry at this news," said club finance director Nick Pomery.

Diamonds swoop for Chillingworth
Rushden & Diamonds have signed striker Daniel Chillingworth following his departure from Cambridge United. The 23-year-old is expected to be the first of a number of new faces arriving at Nene Park in the next few days. Chillingworth made over 100 appearances for the U's after coming through the youth system and scored 14 goals. He has also previously had loan spells at Darlington and Leyton Orient, where he scored twice in eight League Two starts last season.

Chillingworth relishing new start
Striker Daniel Chillingworth has admitted that he was sorry to leave Cambridge - but is excited by his move to Rushden & Diamonds. "I'm a Cambridge lad and I had been there since I was 12 and had seen a lot of changes, including seven managers," he told Rushden's website. "But when I was taken around here, I was blown away. The place is amazing. "I am also keen on pairing up with Drewe Broughton, and I am sure that between us, the goals will come."

U's are in 'precarious position'
Cambridge United are waiting to find out if they can take their place in the Conference, while their administrators try to strike a deal with creditors. If a deal is not reached, it could mean a reprieve for relegated Farnborough. Conference chief executive John Moules has admitted to BBC Sport that the U's are in a "precarious position". He added: "We're working with Cambridge United and all relevant parties. We've not set any deadlines and will try and help them take their rightful place." Meanwhile, the Conference is to unveil its fixtures for the new season on Thursday, 30 June. The fixtures had been expected to come out at the same time as the Football League schedule on 23 June, but will now appear a week later - and it remains to be seen whether Cambridge will be included in the Conference National fixtures. If Cambridge are not permitted to play in the Conference, it could be to the relief of Farnborough - who finished second from bottom last season. Forest Green Rovers have already been spared after Northwich Victoria were relegated over problems with their new ground and Conference membership. And after no clubs were relegated at the end of the 2003/04 season, Moules admits it is not an ideal situation for the league. "It's not good for the competition," he added.

Grimsby bring in midfielder Newey
Grimsby boss Russell Slade has boosted his midfield with the capture of former Cambridge United man Tom Newey. The 22-year-old left-sided player, who was released by the U's following their relegation to the Conference, has agreed a 12-month deal with Grimsby. Newey, who started his career at Leeds United, also has previous League Two experience from a near two-year stay with Leyton Orient. Slade also plans to take a look at former Scunthorpe player Wayne Graves.

Cambridge stave off liquidation
Cambridge have won a reprieve from the threat of liquidation following talks with the Inland Revenue. Relegation from League Two saw the club fall into administration and left them with a £500,000 Inland Revenue debt. But following talks brokered by Sports Minister Richard Caborn, the Inland Revenue has agreed not to vote against a Company Voluntary Agreement. "We're looking at three weeks to exit administration," U's finance director Nick Pomery told the club's website. A creditors' meeting is now planned for mid-July. "This was the best were ever going to get and frankly I'm chuffed to bits," added Pomery. "we still need to raise more money to get through the close season and to fund the CVA, and we still need to balance the budget, which we haven't succeeded in doing yet, and we need to allow Rob Newman to get a squad together. "At least this gives us a fighting chance. We're not dead, which we would have been if we hadn't got this agreement."

Conference LDV entrants confirmed
The Football League has confirmed the 12 Conference teams that will take part in this season's LDV Vans Trophy. Relegated pair Kidderminster and Cambridge are joined by the teams who finished 12th or higher in last season's Conference National table. The other invited sides are Accrington, Aldershot, Crawley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter, Halifax, Hereford, Morecambe, Stevenage and Woking. The first round will take place in the week commencing 17 October.

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. All the Conference fixtures As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Conference opening day fixtures (Saturday, 13 August): Accrington Stanley v Canvey Island Aldershot Town v Tamworth Burton Albion v Grays Athletic Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City Hereford United v Scarborough Kidderminster Harriers v Woking Morecambe v Halifax Town Stevenage Borough v Altrincham York City v Crawley Town Tuesday, 16 August Altrincham v Accrington Stanley Cambridge United v Hereford United Canvey Island v Aldershot Town Crawley Town v Dagenham & Redbridge Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers Grays Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet Halifax Town v Burton Albion Scarborough v Morecambe Southport v York City Tamworth v Forest Green Rovers Woking v Stevenage Borough

U's still hoping to lure Roberts
Caretaker boss Rob Newman still hopes to bring veteran Gillingham striker Iwan Roberts back to Cambridge United. The ex-Wales forward, 37, ended last season on loan with the U's - who are unable to offer contracts to players while they are in administration. "I spoke to Robbo on Wednesday. He's spoken to the manager at Gillingham and gone into pre-season training with them," Newman told his club's website. "He's keen, but I think it's a case of 'watch this space' with him." Cambridge were forced to release most of their players after their relegation to the Conference triggered their move into administration. They only have four professionals - Ashley Nicholls, Dan Gleeson, John Turner and Darren Quinton - on their books. Three more players - Andy Duncan, Adam Tann and Matt Somner - have now confirmed that they will not be taking up new deals offered by the U's, but Newman will be boosted by the arrival of seven trialists on Monday.

U's manager remains level-headed
Cambridge boss Rob Newman was delighted with the way his side performed in grabbing their first win of the season but says they must stay level-headed. The U's bounced back from an opening day defeat with a 2-1 victory against promotion favourites Hereford. Newman said: "Hereford are the yardstick for teams in this league. "I'm delighted with the performance and application from my team and we just about deserved the win but it's important not to get carried away."

Keeper Waite pens Cambridge deal
Cambridge have signed teenage keeper Jamie Waite on non-contract terms. Waite, 19, joins the Conference club after impressing during a trial spell at the Abbey Stadium during pre-season. The former Rotherham United youngster and Thailand international provides further cover for on-loan West Ham keeper Darren Behcet and Scott Howie. U's boss Rob Newman told the club website: "Jamie enhances our goalkeeper situation. It's good for us to have three confident keepers on the book."

Cambridge land midfielder Hanlon
Cambridge have strengthened their midfield by signing Ritchie Hanlon from Conference South side Weymouth. Hanlon has League experience with Peterborough and Rushden & Diamonds and had spells at Stevenage and Lincoln last season. The 27-year-old Hanlon has agreed a deal until the end of the season at the Abbey Stadium. Cambridge have also extended the loan of King's Lynn's former Boston winger Mark Angel until the end of the year.

Striker Westcarr joins Cambridge
Cambridge have signed Craig Westcarr on a short-term contract after impressing during his trial with the U's. The 20-year-old forward has played for England at schoolboy level and was on Nottingham Forest's books last season. "Craig is a striker who came through the ranks at Forest," boss Rob Newman told the club's website. Meanwhile forward Robert Duffy, 22, has left Cambridge after his contract agreement was terminated in order to make way for Westcarr's arrival.

Cambridge boss content with point
Cambridge boss Rob Newman feels a 2-2 draw against Burton was a fair result. Newman told Sir Stanley: "They had chances in the opening 45 minutes and we had some after the break so a point each is about right. "Our passing was too slow at times and I'm disappointed that once we got our noses in front we could not hold on. "We played the same line-up we did at the weekend when we performed with such zest but this time we did not play with the same tempo."

Cambridge to let Tann go for free
Cambridge will let defender Adam Tann to leave for free after he rejected the new offer of a new contract. Tann, 23, turned down the U's offer during the summer and has not played this season to add to his 148 appearances for Cambridge. Cambridge chairman Roger Hunt said they have waived their right to compensation for Tann to help him find a new club. Hunt told U's website: "It had reached a stage where neither side benefitted from a stalemate."

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