Cambridge YMCA FC - An introduction
03 Jul 2006

“Anyone can give up; it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength...”

Like many local league football clubs Cambridge YMCA started as a works and social club, springing up from the local branch of the YMCA. Since its formation the club has maintained its strong links with the organisation from which it gained its name. Meeting there every Sunday morning before games, managers have often been left knocking on the doors of the accommodation within the YMCA when the side has been short of numbers. It is this approach to team selection that has led to the YMCA traditionally being one of the most culturally diverse football clubs in Cambridge, where English has rarely been the language of choice amongst the vast majority of the squad.
The 2005-2006 season beckoned in a new era for the YMCA as the club strengthened its links with the local University, Anglia Ruskin. These links have been further strengthened with the playing squad being dominated by present or ex-Anglia Ruskin players and a former Anglia Ruskin 1st XI manager at the helm.