Additional reporting by Liam Apicella

Cambridge United fans have welcomed the possibility of a new stadium at the Cambridge East development.

The club revealed this week that it is working with developer The Hill Group and the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation on the feasibility of a 15,000-seat stadium on the site, which is currently home to Marshall.

Cambridge East is due to become a new ‘urban quarter’ with homes, workplaces and schools after Marshall vacates its Cambridge Airport headquarters by mid-2029.

In early reaction, fans were supportive of the potential move.

Luca Garofalo told the Cambridge Independent: “Luckily the proposed new home is only up the road from the Abbey. A historic stadium with over 100 years of memories, it will be sad to see it go, but as the club grows and targets get bigger, I certainly can’t blame the club for wanting to expand, especially after the recent badge change.”

And Scott McGeorge said it was “good that we are planning to stay within the Abbey ward, which is important”, adding: “As much as we all love the Abbey we need something more modern and have to evolve to move with the times – just gutted we can’t redevelop the current site, sadly.”

Supporter liaison officer Dave Matthew-Jones told the Cambridge Independent: “The Abbey Stadium is a wonderful place full of memories and magical moments. I have been going there for over 50 years to watch matches. We have gone through the highs and lows of the football club together. However, it is now a ground that is ageing and reaching its capacity in many ways.

“In 1930, Abbey United decided it would need to move from the Celery Patches to ensure the club could grow and develop. Now almost 100 years later, we have the opportunity to make another decision about our future and how we move Cambridge United to the next level.

“This is an exciting period for the city and the local area. We need to be on that journey on behalf of our next generation of supporters. We cannot stand still, or we will go backwards. However, we must make sure the facilities are right for everyone while there is recognition of our history and identity going forwards.”

The Abbey, which has been home to the U’s since 1932, has a capacity of about 8,000. So far this season, the average attendance has been 7,189.

But the League One club has indicated that there would be major challenges to redeveloping the stadium off Newmarket Road.

In the summer, United commissioned Deloitte to explore the potential for a new stadium in Cambridge, which found there was an opportunity to develop a stadium at what is a generational moment for the city, with major growth expected in the coming decades.

Lifelong Cambridge United fan and season ticket holder Richard Arnold, of Wrenbridge Sport, has been appointed as a stadium adviser to work with the partners on the plans.

Peter Day, chairman of Abbey Lounge, the Cambridge United FC Supporters Club, told the Cambridge Independent: “I’m 78 now and first went to the Abbey stadium when I was 11. I went that day with a very close friend, and we still go to games together whenever we can now! Like so many other fans, I have witnessed so much change at the club and some great highs on the pitch – and many lows too. I don’t watch any other football because my heart has always been set on the U’s.

“The community spirit and love for the club have always been a special part of my life and so many others. Football today is a money-dependent exercise that has changed things so much, and clubs like Cambridge have found it extremely hard to compete, often, as now, battling the odds to survive and find success. Now, there is a great stability around the club, and most supporters will feel it’s in good hands to go forward.

“Yes, it will be a shame to leave the Abbey Stadium after so many years and memories, but, led by those that love the club they manage, the future must be with change. The club must take the bold step now.

“Speaking as chairman of the CUFC supporters club, I will be sad to see the club move away, and it will mean changes for our club too.

“My love for the U’s and the supporters club that I used to attend as a teenager will always stay dear to me. Let’s see the U’s move onto a new chapter of life up the road from its current home. All supporters need to embrace the club for its endeavour and support it as it moves forward.

“Thank you, CUFC, for being a major love in my life for so long. Good luck as you tackle the mammoth task ahead.”

Some have suggested the club should be even more ambitious and go for a larger stadium than the 15,000-seat capacity suggested.

Andrew Flatts argued the club should “really go for it” and build a 30,000-seat stadium.

“Look what Brighton has accomplished,” he said. “With all these biomed companies spending billions on new science parks, surely one of them could sponsor a community stadium/entertainment complex?”

Ben Phillips – a lifelong U’s supporter who often photographs home matches- said: “The Abbey holds many fond memories and feels like a second home for many. I’ve grown up visiting the place over the years with my family, and I have plenty of cherished memories.

“However, it’s fantastic to see how far the club has come in the last few years, and the fanbase increasing means we have now outgrown our spiritual home.

“There have been talks of moves for many years since I have attended games, but of all the proposals and talks, this one seems the most positive and the best for several reasons. The club has been in the Abbey/Barnwell area since its formation, and this proposal would ensure our heritage and tradition are still kept alive, given that it is just a stone's throw away from the current Abbey.

“Ultimately, a new stadium will ensure we can continue to grow as a successful football club, and that there's a club to be proud of for future generations of people within the city of Cambridge.”

Meanwhile, 27-year-old George Marwood watches home matches in the Newmarket Road End – and he wants the atmosphere in that particular stand to be replicated.

He said: “I believe the move is better than previous considerations. It's not far from the Abbey, so it will not affect the travel to and from the stadium.

“Some of my fondest memories are biking up there from Cherry Hinton with my school-mates as a child, so I'm glad it's accessible for those who can't drive/ afford to take public transport.

“However, I think the ground will definitely need to keep the spirit of the Abbey alive to allow supporters to buy into the idea. It cannot be a shallow all-seater ground with no atmosphere. There has to be a standing area behind the goal, not safe standing. This can be added in if we progress higher up the leagues as needed.

“The terrace in the NRE is the only place any atmosphere in the stadium comes from, so this is a crucial element.

“I've personally spoken to many people who say they wouldn't be interested in attending if it's all-seater. It's part of the match-day experience to be able to huddle up and talk to others and move around a bit. This is a non-negotiable for most NRE fans.”

The Hill Group and Homes England, with its National Housing Bank acquired the 700-acre Cambridge East site from Marshall earlier this year. Cambridge East is set to become one of the UK’s largest urban extension projects, with more than 10,000 homes, at least 3 million sq ft of commercial space and about 9,000 jobs expected.