Both of England’s two leading university towns, Oxford and Cambridge, each have two non-league clubs. In the case of Oxford, Oxford United (formerly Headington United reflecting the location of their old ground) were at one time in the top flight of English football. They are now playing in the Conference and are top on goal difference with hopes of returning to the Football League next season.
Both of England’s two leading university towns, Oxford and Cambridge, each have two non-league clubs. In the case of Oxford, Oxford United (formerly Headington United reflecting the location of their old ground) were at one time in the top flight of English football. They are now playing in the Conference and are top on goal difference with hopes of returning to the Football League next season. Oxford City are a former amateur club, once having as their chairman Sir Norman Chester the author of the Chester report on football. They are now in the Zamaretto Premiership, along with Cambridge City. Cambridge United were once a Football League club, but are now lower mid-table in the Blue Square Premiership.
Cambridge City are going to play 13 miles away next season in Newmarket. They have struck a three-year deal with Ridgeons Premier side Newmarket Town. It might not seem a good idea for a team with a limited support base to move away from its home town. However, their lease on their current Milton Road ground expires in the summer. Although the Lilywhites would have preferred to stay in Cambridge, and have one possibility they are looking at, an approach to the ten football and rugby clubs in Cambridgeshire – including the two Blue Square Premier clubs Cambridge United and Histon – was ruled out.
Some ground improvements will be needed at their new home to meet grading standards and City will install some structures that could be moved to a new permanent home. Newmarket are hoping to have a new ground of their own in three years and there is an option for City to continue the ground sharing arrangement should this development take place. In the long run, however, one wonders if a non-league club can survive and flourish away from the city it claims to represent.