Cambridge United owners issue update on stadium plans, funding and future direction
Paul Barry says the club will pause redevelopment of the Cledara Abbey Stadium and begin the search for a new minority investor.
Cambridge United co-owner Paul Barry has shared a major update on the club’s future, confirming a pause on planned redevelopment of the Cledara Abbey Stadium and outlining the financial challenges facing the U’s.
Barry said the club had undergone “a lot of change” on the football side and believes the team can stay competitive in what he called a “tough but finely balanced league”. He praised strong home support at the Abbey but admitted away performances need to improve.
After 18 months of work exploring redevelopment options, Barry said the numbers no longer add up. The projected cost—running into tens of millions—would take more than 20 years to deliver any return, which he said would leave the club with a “significant long-term financial burden”. As a result, the board has decided to pause the project and “take stock”.
The Abbey will remain the club’s home for the foreseeable future, but Barry said the board will keep an open mind about a potential relocation in the longer term, stressing that nothing is currently planned.
He also confirmed the club will begin looking for a new minority owner to help share financial pressures. Cambridge United’s collective losses and infrastructure investment since Covid now total more than £20 million, with rising costs continuing to impact League One clubs.
Barry added that Cambridge’s expected growth in the coming decades presents an opportunity for the club to play a bigger civic role, highlighting January’s launch of United for Cambridge, aimed at strengthening links between the club, its Foundation and community partners.
He ended his message by paying tribute to Safety Officer Andy Pickard, who passed away last week, calling him “a great man and a great servant of the Club”.