Cambridge United - who'd have thought it?

A friend of mine is an avid supporter of Cambridge United. Slightly surprisingly Cambridge are top of League 2. To be honest this position flatters them on the basis of how they have played but they are, in fairness, doing better than was expected at the beginning of this very strange season.

Midweek they lost to the hype side Salford City (funded by all sorts of ex-Man Utd types) 4-1. The stats (expected goals etc), suggested Cambridge were unlucky. 

This weekend they faced Southend at home. The latter have been on a good run of late but again the stats (expected goals etc. - you get the picture) suggested that flattered The Shrimpers.

I therefore lumped on Cambridge. The result 0-0.

But at least I discovered that the Cambridge groundsman is the best in the country. He got the match on (when almost all the other League 2 games were postponed due to frozen pitches). It might have cost me money but Ian Darler, said groundsman, deserves a mention. He's worked there for 42 years and has written a brilliantly titled book - Life's A Pitch.

I have not read it yet but I suspect there might be a chapter or two devoted to John Beck, the legendary Cambridge manager. As the football never touched the ground in those days the groundsman's life must have been made a bit easier.

Mr Darler was recently awarded the British Empire Medal - and as far as I can see he throughly deserved it.

But sorry my friend (you know who you are!) I still think Cambridge will not get promoted.