Football Season Review

It was a season of change for Cambridge United, who finished in 12th place in the League Two table under caretaker manager Joe Dunne. It has been a testing time for the U’s, who lost two of their best players last summer in goalkeeper Will Norris and midfield playmaker Luke Berry. They received significant transfer fees which increased the pressure on manager Shaun Derry, with fans expecting a successful challenge for the play-offs this time around. He was unable to live up to that expectation with the side spending just one week in the top seven in September. There was the embarrassment of a 7-0 thrashing at rivals Luton Town in November and his departure was announced on the final whistle following a goal-less draw at home against Lincoln City in February. The timing coincided with the takeover of the club by Paul Barry and Derry’s assistant Joe Dunne was placed in caretaker charge for the rest of the season. He oversaw a steady if unspectacular improvement with just four defeats in 15 matches and it was enough to see his appointment made permanent at the end of the season. The two success stories of the campaign came courtesy of midfield playmaker Jevani Brown, a summer capture from St Neots Town, and George Maris, who notched ten goals from the centre of the park. Striker Uche Ikpeazu finished as leading goalscorer with 14 goals but has already sealed a move to Hearts. Greg Taylor was the mainstay of the side in the centre of the defence and was voted as player of the season. Dunne appears to have got a handle on the job and will be hoping for a productive summer as he will have much greater expectations on his shoulders next season.

Player of the Season: Greg Taylor