Cambridge United induct six of the best into Hall of Fame

Six heroes of the Abbey Stadium have been inducted into the Cambridge United Hall of Fame.

Terry Eades, Steve Fallon, Tom Finney, Roy McFarland, Bill Cawdery and Andrew Bennett were received into the hall of fame which is managed by 100 Years of Coconuts, the heritage arm of Cambridge United supporters’ trust CFU.

The late commercial powerhouse Bill Cawdery, who was at United for 36 years from 1962 to 1998, and club historian Andrew Bennett were selected for induction by a Coconuts/CFU electoral college.

Bennett’s induction also served as the inauguration of the annual Andrew Bennett Award.

It is intended to recognise extraordinary input to the club and its community and was instituted in memory of the late honorary club historian, archivist, writer and author of the Celery & Coconuts history of Abbey/Cambridge United.

Eades, Fallon, Finney and McFarland were chosen by United supporters via online and paper voting.

McFarland managed United from 1996 to 2001, leading them to promotion from Division Three in the 1998/99 season.

In an acceptance video, he said: “I think it’s fair to say my time between 1996 and 2001, I loved every minute of it. Overall, I will never forget the football club and the people I worked with, the players and the staff there.

“We had some really exciting nights, especially in the League Cup, and I obviously enjoyed the promotion.

“Thank you very much supporters for this, it’s something that does go to the heart. I loved my time there.”

Finney played for the U’s from 1976 to 1986, making 368 appearances and scoring 66 goals.

“I enjoyed my 10 years at Cambridge United,” he said. “It’s a really friendly club and I hope they have success in the future.”

Fallon made 451 appearances for the U’s, scoring 30 goals between 1975 and 1986 and was emotional when making a speech at the Cambridge United Supporters’ Club’s
Abbey Lounge.

“I don’t know what to say after that, to tell you the truth,” he said on receiving the award.

“Everything that has happened to me since that day [he signed for the U’s] around Cambridge, the wife, the family and everything I have done is since making that call and coming to Cambridge.

“I’m very grateful for everybody and everything.”

Defender Eades was at the Abbey from 1969 to 1978, appearing 372 times and scoring 12 goals.

“I would like to say a big thank you,” he said. “It’s such an honour to be selected into the hall of fame. I had the good fortune to play under two very good managers in Bill Leivers and Ron Atkinson – very different but very successful.

“I’m very grateful for all the kindness I have been shown over the years by supporters.”

For full details of all the inductees, visit cuhalloffame.org.uk