Varsity is coming home. On Sunday 8th March, at 3pm, Cambridge United’s R Costings Abbey Stadium will play host to one of the oldest regular fixtures in world football – the 131st clash between Oxford and Cambridge Universities. And the Light Blues are ready.

The chance to play in front of a home crowd certainly does not come around very often. Traditionally, the game has taken place at a neutral venue, which from 1953, had been the home of English football – Wembley Stadium. In recent years, the fixture has been played on the banks of the Thames on boat race day at Craven Cottage, but this year, thanks to a combination of factors, the fixture is coming to Cambridge.

And it’s an exciting prospect for our Blues, especially in the wake of what has been a tough season, as CUAFC Captain James May told me:

“It's been a difficult season for the Blues, given that we lost ten players at the end of last season, and have still been competing in the top tier of BUCS against universities – such as Bath and Hartpury College – which possess vastly superior resources to us.”

“Nevertheless, we've improved throughout the year, and with a few warm-up games under our belt we will be confident of bringing the Varsity trophy home for the fourth successive year. We certainly hold the momentum going into the fixture – our men's and women's clubs have collectively won an astonishing ten Varsity matches in a row – and we’re hoping that the presence of a vocal Light Blue crowd will spur us on to victory on the day.”

Our Cambridge footballers are certainly riding a wave of success against the other place at the moment, and May doesn’t believe the squad’s inexperience in such a prestigious fixture will be a factor.

“Oxford have more returning Blues than us but I don't think that will be a factor – the situation was reversed last year and the game was ultimately very even."

“Obviously the likes of myself and Daniel Forde bring a lot of Varsity experience into the game, so we will try to pass on anything we've learned from those games to the other players to some extent, but in the end I think they have the quality and mentality to handle matters out on the pitch just fine.”

Preparation certainly has been going well, and the players seem confident (as you can tell from their promotion video). Furthermore, as part of the growing relationship between CUAFC and Cambridge United, the Light Blues have been receiving a helping hand from the U’s in more ways than just providing a pitch to play on.

“We've been working hard in training over the past week. CEO and former manager of Cambridge United, Jez George, has been down to offer a few tactical insights, so that's been a big help."

“I think we are as prepared as we can be. The boys are really excited about the game being held in Cambridge as we know that with a strong Light Blue crowd behind us we will have a great chance of winning that trophy once again."

The crowd undoubtedly looks like it could be a key factor. Having always had a strong contingent make their way down south to Varsities in the past, this year promises to be an occasion remember, with Cambridge fans expected to pack out the Abbey.

With the added incentives of a free hot food item, a drink and also discounted entry to both Fez and Life, this is certainly a Varsity fixture you won’t want to miss

Not got your ticket yet? Either contact your nearest CUAFC player or buy online on the Cambridge United website.

GDBO