St Ives Town can today announce a new strategic partnership that will see the club forge more stronger links with Cambridge United Academy.
The relationship between the clubs has been growing in recent years with United taking advantage of the new all-weather surface that is now in place at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road which has seen their junior section host several fixtures at the ground. Meanwhile the Ives have had some excellent players loaned to them from the Abbey Stadium which has continued for the new season with Brandon Njoko and Dan Barton being given the chance to play first team football for the Ives in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
The partnership between the two clubs will now be enhanced further with opportunities such as the Ives academy players being given the chance of coaching from United as well as trials with their youth team. Meanwhile Cambridge United fans can see the Ives first team play at half price when the U’s are without a home fixture.
Ives Chairman Paul Reason said “As a club, we are delighted to build on what was already an excellent relationship with Cambridge United. Both clubs have identified several ways that we can work more closely together and with more initiatives in the pipeline I can only see big positives in terms of how it will benefit both Cambridge United and St Ives Town”.
Jake Hammond, who is Talent ID Officer at Cambridge United said “The last couple of years has seen this partnership between both clubs come to fruition. At senior level we have seen Cambridge United loan players being offered the chance to play for St Ives Town. At junior level, we have hosted several fixtures at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road from under 7’s right up to under 18’s. Our usage of the ground is currently four days per week, and I know our teams really enjoy the facilities which the club now has on offer. Allowing our teams to use the facilities at St Ives has been the foundation of building a stronger relationship which everyone hopes will benefit both parties”.