Paul Mullin's record-breaking feats at Cambridge United earn Abbey Stadium stand accolade

Paul Mullin has had a stand named after him at the Abbey Stadium after breaking Cambridge United’s league goalscoring record.

The 26-year-old striker’s opening goal in the 2-1 win at Carlisle United was his 25th of the season, eclipsing the 24 of David Crown that was achieved 35 years ago.

To mark the achievement, club sponsors and lifelong fans Mead Plant and Grab renamed their stand to the Paul Mullin Stand until the end of the season.

Richard Mead, director of family-owned plant hire and construction business Mead, said: “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a striker as prolific as Paul, so we wanted to pay tribute to him.

“As fans of the club ourselves, we wanted to do something which would resonate with fellow supporters as well. We hope Paul can carry on scoring and take us to promotion”.

Nick Fairbairn, Cambridge United head of commercial, said: “The Mead family were supporting the U’s all those years ago when David Crown hit 24 league goals in a season, so to be able to mark Paul Mullin’s achievement in a way which resonates with fans is extra special for them.”

Crown’s league-scoring record was a target that Mullin had in his sights since the beginning of the campaign, and he beat the mark at the end of the first half at Carlisle with a fierce, rising shot across goal.

“I’m extremely proud,” said Mullin, “To come to a club where a record has been standing so long, to go and beat it is a proud moment for me.

“I can’t disguise that it feels good but, ultimately, I want to get promoted now and I will forget about that [the record].

“I’ve been chasing it since the game against Fulham in the cup at the start of the season, and I said to Bonz that I would like to beat it, and thankfully now I have gone and achieved it and it’s a good feeling.”

He added: “I want to add as much as I can to the team to go and chase that promotion, whether that is me scoring another 10 goals, another two goals or no goals, if that is the end game then I would be more than happy with that.”

Mullin's strike in stoppage time at the end of the first half was equalised by Lewis Alessandra for Carlisle midway through the second period.

But substitute Adam May popped up in the 90th minute to secure United the victory that sent them top of the table after Cheltenham Town's defeat to Morecambe.

“We’ve got a real grit and determination about us to keep going to the end and that has been evident all the way through the season for us,” said Mullin.

“Now it comes to the forefront of games especially deep in teh season when everyone is fighting for points and things are on the line.

“We’ve just got to keep going as a team as we have done today and recent weeks, and carry it on now for the last eight games.”