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2023–24 Cambridge United F.C. season

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Cambridge United
2023–24 season
OwnerPaul Barry (70%)
Mark Green (20%)
Adam Webb (10%)
ChairmanShaun Grady
Head CoachMark Bonner
StadiumAbbey Stadium
League One17th
EFL CupFirst round
(eliminated by Sutton United)
Top goalscorerLeague:
Fejiri Okenabirhie (5)

All:
Fejiri Okenabirhie (7)
Highest home attendance7,529
(vs Stevenage, 15 August 2023, EFL League One)
Lowest home attendance5,493
(vs Barnsley, 3 October 2023, EFL League One)
Average home league attendance6,685
Biggest defeat0-4
vs Barnsley (H)
(3 October 2023)
EFL League One
2024–25 →

The 2023–24 season is the 112th season in the history of Cambridge United and their third consecutive season in League One. The club are participating in League One, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Current squad

As of 17 October 2023
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Signed from Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
1 Jack Stevens GK England Ealing (1997-08-02) 2 August 1997 (age 27) Oxford United 1 July 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2025
25 Will Mannion GK England Hillingdon (1998-05-05) 5 May 1998 (age 26) Cyprus Pafos 3 August 2021 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
Louis Chadwick GK England (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 (age 21) St Neots Town 1 July 2022 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
Defenders
2 Liam Bennett RB England (2001-11-30) 30 November 2001 (age 23) St Neots Town 1 July 2021 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
3 Danny Andrew LB England Holbeach (1990-12-23) 23 December 1990 (age 33) Fleetwood Town 1 July 2023 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
5 Michael Morrison CB England Bury St Edmunds (1988-03-03) 3 March 1988 (age 36) Portsmouth 26 January 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
6 Ryan Bennett CB England Orsett (1990-03-06) 6 March 1990 (age 34) Swansea City 6 January 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
11 Harrison Dunk LB England Hammersmith (1990-10-25) 25 October 1990 (age 34) Bromley 1 July 2011 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
15 Jubril Okedina CB England Woolwich (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 24) Tottenham Hotspur 5 August 2021 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
16 Zeno Ibsen Rossi CB England Streatham (2000-10-28) 28 October 2000 (age 24) Bournemouth 18 July 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
20 Brandon Haunstrup LB England Waterlooville (1996-10-26) 26 October 1996 (age 28) Scotland Kilmarnock 6 July 2022 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
28 Mamadou Jobe CB England (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 (age 21) Academy 1 July 2021 30 June 2024
32 Harvey Beckett CB England (2003-09-30) 30 September 2003 (age 21) Academy 1 July 2021 30 June 2024
Midfielders
4 Paul Digby DM England Sheffield (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29) Stevenage 21 July 2020 Free Transfer 30 June 2025
7 James Brophy LM England Brent (1994-07-25) 25 July 1994 (age 30) Leyton Orient 1 July 2021 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
8 George Thomas AM Wales England Leicester (1997-03-24) 24 March 1997 (age 27) Queens Park Rangers 31 January 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2025
19 Adam May CM England Southampton (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 26) Portsmouth 4 September 2020 Free Transfer 30 June 2025
22 Lewis Simper CM England Cambridge (2001-09-03) 3 September 2001 (age 23) Academy 3 January 2020 30 June 2025
24 Jordan Cousins CM Jamaica England Greenwich (1994-03-06) 6 March 1994 (age 30) Wigan Athletic 13 July 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
Forwards
9 Fejiri Okenabirhie CF Nigeria England Hendon (1996-02-25) 25 February 1996 (age 28) Doncaster Rovers 29 July 2022 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
10 Jack Lankester RW England Bury St Edmunds (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000 (age 24) Ipswich Town 1 July 2021 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
14 Sullay Kaikai LW Sierra Leone England Southwark (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29) Milton Keynes Dons 24 July 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
17 Saikou Janneh CF The Gambia Gunjur (2000-01-11) 11 January 2000 (age 24) Bristol City 1 July 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
21 Elias Kachunga CF Democratic Republic of the Congo Germany Haan (1992-04-22) 22 April 1992 (age 32) Bolton Wanderers 1 August 2023 Free Transfer 30 June 2024
23 Gassan Ahadme CF Morocco Spain Vic (2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 (age 24) Ipswich Town 1 July 2023 Loan 31 May 2024
27 John-Kymani Gordon CF England London (2003-02-13) 13 February 2003 (age 21) Crystal Palace 1 September 2023 Loan 31 May 2024
29 Kai Yearn AM England Cambridge (2005-05-21) 21 May 2005 (age 19) Academy 1 July 2022 30 June 2024
30 Glenn McConnell FW Republic of Ireland (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19) Academy 1 July 2022 30 June 2024
Saleem Akanbi FW England (2004-04-29) 29 April 2004 (age 20) Academy 1 July 2022 30 June 2024
Out on Loan
13 James Holden GK England Milton Keynes (2001-09-04) 4 September 2001 (age 23) Reading 1 July 2022 Free Transfer 30 June 2024

Transfers

In

Date Pos Player Transferred from Fee Ref
1 July 2023 LB England Danny Andrew England Fleetwood Town Undisclosed [1]
1 July 2023 GK England Jack Stevens England Oxford United Free Transfer [2]
13 July 2023 CM Jamaica Jordan Cousins England Wigan Athletic Free Transfer [3]
24 July 2023 LW Sierra Leone Sullay Kaikai England Milton Keynes Dons Free Transfer [4]
1 August 2023 CF Democratic Republic of the Congo Elias Kachunga England Bolton Wanderers Free Transfer [5]

Out

Date Pos Player Transferred to Fee Ref
30 June 2023 CF England Joe Ironside England Doncaster Rovers Released [6][7]
30 June 2023 CB England Lloyd Jones England Charlton Athletic Released [6][8]
30 June 2023 CF England Harvey Knibbs England Reading Released [6][9]
30 June 2023 GK Bulgaria Dimitar Mitov Scotland St Johnstone Released [6][10]
30 June 2023 DM England Liam O'Neil England Boreham Wood Released [6][11]
30 June 2023 CF England Sam Smith England Reading Released [6][12]
30 June 2023 CB England Greg Taylor England Woking End of Contract [13][14]
30 June 2023 RW England Shilow Tracey England Crewe Alexandra Released [6][15]
30 June 2023 RB England George Williams England Mansfield Town Released [6][16]
30 June 2023 CM England Ben Worman Republic of Ireland Cork City Released [6][17]

Loaned in

Date Pos Player Loaned from On loan until Ref
1 July 2023 CF Morocco Gassan Ahadme England Ipswich Town End of season [18]
1 September 2023 CF England John-Kymani Gordon England Crystal Palace End of Season [19]

Loaned out

Date Pos Player Loaned to Until Ref
5 August 2023 CM England George Hoddle England St Albans City End of Season [20]
9 September 2023 AM England Kai Yearn England King's Lynn Town 7 October 2023 [21]
21 October 2023 GK England James Holden England Welling United 18 November 2023 [22]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 5 June, Cambridge United announced their first two pre-season friendlies, against Ipswich Town and Barnet.[23] A third friendly, against St Albans City was also confirmed.[24] Three behind-closed-doors fixtures were also included in the pre-season preparations, against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s, Gillingham and Cardiff City.[25]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

7 July 2023 Friendly Cardiff City 1–1 Cambridge United Behind-closed-doors
13:00 BST Robinson 70' Report Ahadme 89'
11 July 2023 Friendly Tottenham Hotspur U21 v Cambridge United Behind-closed-doors
TBA BST
15 July 2023 Friendly St Albans City 1–3 Cambridge United St Albans
13:00 BST Trialist 35' Report Dunk 13'
Njoku 82'
Janneh 86'
Stadium: Clarence Park
22 July 2023 Friendly Cambridge United 2–1 Ipswich Town Cambridge
12:00 BST Janneh 28'
Morrison 89'
Report Davis 2' Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 2,936 (517 away fans)
Referee: John Brooks
25 July 2023 Friendly Cambridge United 4–0 Gillingham Cambridge
14:00 BST Brophy 2'
Okenabirhie 22', 58' (pen.)
Cousins 43'
Report Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
29 July 2023 Friendly Barnet 2–0 Cambridge United Canons Park
15:00 BST Collinge 24'
Kabamba 30'
Report Stadium: The Hive Stadium

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League One 5 August 2023 27 April 2024 Matchday 1 14 4 4 6 12 15 −3 028.57
FA Cup 4 November 2023 First round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
EFL Cup 8 August 2023 8 August 2023 First round 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00
EFL Trophy 12 September 2023 Group stage 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 000.00
Total 17 4 5 8 15 21 −6 023.53

Last updated: 24 October 2023
Source: Soccerway

League One

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
15 Bristol Rovers 46 16 9 21 52 68 −16 57
16 Charlton Athletic 46 11 20 15 64 65 −1 53
17 Reading 46 16 11 19 68 70 −2 53[a]
18 Cambridge United 46 12 12 22 39 61 −22 48
19 Shrewsbury Town 46 13 9 24 35 67 −32 48
20 Burton Albion 46 12 10 24 39 67 −28 46
21 Cheltenham Town (R) 46 12 8 26 41 65 −24 44 Relegated to EFL League Two
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[29]
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ On 16 August 2023, Reading were deducted one point for failing to pay players on time and in full on three occasions in the 2022–23 season.[26] Another 3-point deduction was applied on 13 September, for failing to deposit wages on time.[27] Another 2-point deduction was applied on 27 February, due to late HMRC payments.[28]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
14 4 4 6 12 15  −3 16 3 3 2 8 8  0 1 1 4 4 7  −3

Last updated: 24 October 2023.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round12345689101112131415
GroundHAHHAHAHAHAHAH
ResultWWLWLWLDDLLDLD
Position5251961010131515171817
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Notes:

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures were released.[30]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 1 Cambridge United 2–0 Oxford United Cambridge
15:00 BST Brophy Yellow card 10'
Lankester 15' Yellow card 43'
Ahadme 28'
Janneh Yellow card 44'
Kachunga Yellow card 90+5'
Rodrigues Yellow card 12' Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 7,435
Referee: Sunny Gill
12 August 2023 2 Fleetwood Town 0–2 Cambridge United Fleetwood
15:00 BST Robertson Yellow card 14'
Mayor Yellow card 26'
Vela Yellow card 30'
Report Brophy Yellow card 28'
Digby Yellow card 30' 31'
Ahadme 59'
Lankester Yellow card 73'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 3,316
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
15 August 2023 3 Cambridge United 1–2 Stevenage Cambridge
19:45 BST Kachunga 80' Report Roberts 27'
Thompson Yellow card 32'
Butler Yellow card 68'
Reid 82' Yellow card 83'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 7,529
Referee: Will Finnie
19 August 2023 4 Cambridge United 2–0 Bristol Rovers Cambridge
15:00 BST Okenabirhie 79'
Morrison Yellow card 88'
Kaikai 90+6'
Taylor Yellow card 13'
Evans Yellow card 45'
Hoole Yellow card 70'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,390
Referee: John Busby
26 August 2023 5 Leyton Orient 2–0 Cambridge United Leyton
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Breyer Group Stadium
Attendance: 8,266
Referee: Stephen Martin
4 September 2023 6 Cambridge United 1–0 Reading Cambridge
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,789
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Note: Live on Sky Sports
16 September 2023 8 Wigan Athletic 2–1 Cambridge United Wigan
15:00 BST Rekik Yellow card 33'
Adeeko Yellow card 44'
Humphrys 57'
Aasgaard 62'
Report Okenabirhie 76' (pen.) Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 10,078
Referee: Adam Herczeg
23 September 2023 9 Cambridge United 1–1 Port Vale Cambridge
15:00 BST Okenabirhie 66' soccer ball with red X 90' Report Garrity 20'
Balmer Yellow card 25'
Wilson Yellow card 41'
Iacovitti Yellow card 89'
Grant Yellow card 90+1'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,905
Referee: Christopher Pollard
30 September 2023 10 Derby County 0–0 Cambridge United Derby
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Pride Park Stadium
Attendance: 26,122
Referee: Ollie Yates
3 October 2023 11 Cambridge United 0–4 Barnsley Cambridge
19:45 BST Morrison Yellow card 59'
Lankester Yellow card 63'
Report Cadden 7' Yellow card 79'
de Gevigney 33'
Watters 59'
Styles Yellow card 67'
Russell 83'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 5,493
Referee: Thomas Parsons
9 October 2023 12 Burton Albion 2–1 Cambridge United Burton upon Trent
20:00 BST Walker 10'
Oshilaja 31'
Baah Yellow card 53'
Bennett Yellow card 90'
Report Okenabirhie 67' Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 2,296
Referee: Ben Speedie
14 October 2023 13 Cambridge United 1–1 Shrewsbury Town Cambridge
15:00 BST Digby Yellow card 38'
Gordon Yellow card 51'
Morrison 69'
Report Benning Yellow card 44'
Perry 88'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,252
Referee: Scott Tallis
21 October 2023 14 Cheltenham Town 1–0 Cambridge United Cheltenham
15:00 BST Sercombe 5'
Goodwin Yellow card 64'
Bonds Yellow card 66'
Freestone Yellow card 85'
Williams Yellow card 90+2'
Report R.Bennett Yellow card 54' Stadium: The Completely-Suzuki Stadium
Attendance: 3,900
Referee: Edward Duckworth
24 October 2023 15 Cambridge United 0–0 Portsmouth Cambridge
19:45 BST Digby Yellow card 76' Kamara Yellow card 67'
Morrell Yellow card 68'
Sparkes Yellow card 77'
Shaughnessy
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Referee: Declan Bourne
28 October 2023 16 Cambridge United v Carlisle United Cambridge
15:00 BST Stadium: Abbey Stadium
31 October 2023 7[31] Wycombe Wanderers v Cambridge United High Wycombe
19:45 GMT Stadium: Adams Park
Note: Fixture was previously postponed due to international call-ups within the Wycombe squad.[32]

FA Cup

Cambridge were drawn at home to Bracknell Town in the first round.[33]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

4 November 2023 First Round Cambridge United v Bracknell Town Cambridge
15:00 GMT
Stadium: Abbey Stadium

EFL Cup

Cambridge were drawn away to Sutton United in the first round.[34]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 August 2023 First round Sutton United 2–2
(6–5 p)
Cambridge United Sutton
19:45 BST Smith 38'
Beautyman 82' (pen.)
Report Okenabirhie 18', 60' (pen.) Stadium: VBS Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,761
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Penalties
Eastmond soccer ball with check mark
Angol soccer ball with check mark
Milsom soccer ball with check mark
Goodliffe soccer ball with red X
Kashket soccer ball with check mark
Patrick soccer ball with check mark
O'Brien soccer ball with check mark
Ahadme soccer ball with check mark
Lankester soccer ball with check mark
Andrew soccer ball with check mark
Thomas soccer ball with red X
Digby soccer ball with check mark
Janneh soccer ball with check mark
Dunk soccer ball with red X

EFL Trophy

In the group stage, Cambridge were drawn into Southern Group D alongside Peterborough United, Colchester United and Tottenham Hotspur U21.[35][36]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Peterborough United 3 2 0 0 1 5 2 +3 6 Advance to Round 2
2 L2 Colchester United 3 2 0 0 1 3 6 −3 6
3 ACA Tottenham Hotspur U21 3 1 0 0 2 7 7 0 3
4 L1 Cambridge United 3 1 0 0 2 5 5 0 3
Updated to match(es) played on 7 November 2023. Source: EFL.com

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 September 2023 Group stage Peterborough United 2–0 Cambridge United Peterborough
19:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Weston Homes Stadium
Attendance: 3,687
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
17 October 2023 Group stage Cambridge United 1–2 Colchester United Cambridge
19:00 BST May Yellow card 72'
Ahadme 90+5' (pen.)
Tovide 17' Yellow card 45+1'
Cooper 43'
Mingi Yellow card 69'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 991
Referee: Jamie O'Connor
7 November 2023 Group stage Cambridge United v Tottenham Hotspur U21 Cambridge
19:00 GMT Stadium: Abbey Stadium

References

  1. ^ "Danny Andrew joins the U's". Cambridge United FC. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Jack Stevens becomes first summer signing". Cambridge United FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Jordan Cousins joins United". Cambridge United FC. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Sullay Kaikai joins Cambridge United". Milton Keynes Dons FC. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Elias Kachunga joins the U's". Cambridge United FC. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2023 Retained List published". Cambridge United FC. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Rovers sign striker Joe Ironside". Doncaster Rovers FC. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Addicks complete Lloyd Jones signing". Charlton Athletic FC. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Harvey Knibbs signs a three-year contract with the Royals". Reading FC. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Dimitar Mitov signs for Saints". St Johnstone FC. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Welcome, Liam O'Neil". Boreham Wood FC. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  12. ^ "WELCOME HOME, SAM! SMITH SIGNS THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH THE ROYALS". Reading FC. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Greg Taylor leaves after a decade of service". Cambridge United FC. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  14. ^ O'Sullivan, Daniel (4 July 2023). "Greg Taylor Signs". Woking F.C. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Attacker Tracey joins the Railwaymen". Crewe Alexandra FC. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Stags sign experienced defender". Mansfield Town FC. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Ben Worman signs for City!". Cork City FC. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Gassan Ahadme joins on loan". Cambridge United FC. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  19. ^ "John-Kymani Gordon joins Cambridge United on loan". Crystal Palace FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  20. ^ "George Hoddle joins St Albans City on loan". Cambridge United FC. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Yearn joins Linnets on loan". Cambridge United FC. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Wings sign goalkeeper James Holden on loan from Cambridge United". Welling United FC. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Ipswich and Barnet friendlies announced". Cambridge United FC. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  24. ^ "St Albans away confirmed for first pre-season test". Cambridge United FC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Full pre-season schedule confirmed". Cambridge United FC. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Reading deducted one point for playing players late". British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Reading deducted three more points for failing to deposit wages on time". BBC Sport. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  28. ^ "EFL Statement: Reading FC and Mr Dai Yongge". efl.com. English Football League. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  29. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  30. ^ "2023/24 fixtures released". Cambridge United FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  31. ^ "New date set for Wycombe away". Cambridge United FC. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Wycombe away postponed". Cambridge United FC. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  33. ^ "U's to host Bracknell Town in Emirates FA Cup First Round". Cambridge United FC. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  34. ^ "U's draw away to Sutton in Carabao Cup Round One". Cambridge United FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  35. ^ "U's Carabao Cup numbers and EFL Trophy group chosen, draws taking place on Fixture Release Day". Cambridge United FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  36. ^ "EFL Trophy group complete". Cambridge United FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.