Cambridge City season preview

By Andy Abbott BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

City were demoted after their Milton Road home failed a ground grading

After a season where at times City had made the headlines for all the wrong reasons a rest was needed.

A rest where the sound of leather on willow could be enjoyed or time on the beach making sandcastles with the family.

Suddenly the bureaucrats strike. City have failed a ground inspection. Rules are rules and they will have to be relegated. An appeal is lodged. 'Sorry' comes the answer 'we can't reverse the decision'.

Yet within a few weeks, from the same organisation, comes the award of youth internationals and a commendation of the facilities. No wonder we are all shaking our heads like noddy dogs once seen on the back shelves of aged drivers cars.

So instead of enjoying the likes of Havant and Waterlooville or even local derbies with King's Lynn and Chelmsford City in the Blue Square South, it is off to places like Yates, Mangotsfield and Clevedon in the BGB Southern League Premier.

In fact by the time the campaign comes to an end I will probably have a West Country yawl and be drinking pints of cider given all the trips I'll be making to that part of the world.

Naturally there have been departures from Milton Road on the playing front including Charlie Sheringham and Joe Bruce, but by far and away the biggest loss could be star striker Michael Gash going to Ebbsfleet.

The coffers though have been swelled by a decent transfer fee.

Despite the losses, manager Gary Roberts has put together a decent looking squad and at the time of writing has hung on to his other starlet Josh Simpson who will be the fulcrum of the Lilywhites' midfield options.

With Gash departing, the goalscoring is a minor cause for concern especially with Lee Roach out with a metatarsal break until October.

After a Jekyll and Hyde pre-season where City have looked impressive against higher grade opposition, they are likely to start amongst the favourites along with big spending Halesowen and Gloucester City.

A tough start beginning at Chippenham on 16 August followed up by two home games - Corby Town on 18 August and Merthyr Tydfill on the 23rd.

So as we dust down the microphones and get out the sat-navs for what looks like another roller coaster of a season, let's hope that when we reach May, justice is done or seen to be done and City are back where they deserve to be in Blue Square South.

Andy Abbott reports on Cambridge City throughout the season on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.