Heroes & Villains – Cambridge United
Hero – John Beck
In the two and a half years at the Abbey Stadium, Beck took Cambridge from mid-table in Division Four to fifth in Division Two.
His long-ball tactics won few admirers and was constantly slated in the press. The system worked though, as United raced through the Divisions.
The groundstaff at Cambridge famously let the grass grow longer in the corners of the pitch at Beck’s request. This was so long balls down the channel would slow down enough for the wingers to get to the ball before whipping in a cross.
Beck had played for Cambridge United as a midfielder from 1986 to 89, notching up over 100 league appearances.
His playing career ended due to injury at United and was appointed as Chris Turner’s Assistant Manager at the club soon after. When Turner resigned in January 1990, Beck took over the reins.
Beck guided Cambridge to victory in the Fourth Division play offs and a place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup in his first four months in charge.
Cambridge then won the Third Division title in his first full season and again reached the FA Cup Quarter Final.
Cambridge finished a hugely impressive fifth in their first season in the second tier of English football. Fifth place was one of four play-off places and United were drawn against Leicester City in the semi-final.
They missed out on a third successive promotion, as Leicester won 6-1 on aggregate. The first leg at the Abbey ended 1-1 but Leicester dominated the second leg at Filbert Street, coming away with a 5-0 win.
Beck was unable to replicate the form from the previous season as Cambridge lost their first four games of the 1992/93 campaign.
Despite winning three of the next eight games, Beck was sacked on 22nd October 1992 with Cambridge sitting in 18th place.
Beck returned to the Abbey Stadium in 2001 but only last 8 months in the job. The fifth place in England’s second tier under Beck remains United’s highest ever league finish.
Villains – Peterborough United
Peterborough United are Cambridge’s main rivals. The Posh have won 16 of the 40 games played between the two, compared with Cambridge’s 14.
The two haven’t been in the same league since the 2001/02 season, when they both were in the old Second Division (or League One as it is today).
Peterborough have won the last two games between the two clubs, both games being played in the Football League Trophy.
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