Former Players Dinner a big success.
Players of all eras came together at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Saturday in a memorable day for the club.The current first team got things off to a great start with a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient that moved them closer to League One safety, watched by U's players of years gone by.
Then, in the evening, those ex-U's returned to the stadium for the Former Players Association dinner.
The night saw two more U's heroes inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Steve Leslie and David Gregory the latest inductees to join the illustrious list of names.
Both made significant contributions to the club during their time in the blue and white stripes and David continues to have a strong association with the club to this day, working in the U's media department.
The evening was a mixture of celebration and commemoration, as those present recalled their memories of Dick Graham and Peter Wright, both of whom the club sadly lost this year, after battles with illness.
Current boss Joe Dunne spoke emotively of his relationship with those two U's legends, who had given him crucial advice in his early days of management.
And, following Peter's sad death in October of last year, the U's Former Players Association secretary John Schultz revealed details of the new committee that would take on the good work of the association and the hard work that Peter started.
"That committee is Terry Price, Steve Dowman, Tony English, Bobby Hunt, Vic Keeble and Peter’s son Steve Wright."
"After a chat with all three, it was decided that single club man and lifetime supporter Barry Smith would be the new Chairman and a committee to assist Barry and I has been formed.
"Peter short listed three suitable replacements and I am pleased to say that all three are involved in the new committee for the Association.
"Peter wanted to have a Chairman following in his footsteps who was totally committed to the Club and had been active in the Former Players Association since it started.
John said: "During the last couple of months before Peter passed away, he and I spoke many times about his successor.
"After a chat with all three, it was decided that single club man and lifetime supporter Barry Smith would be the new Chairman and a committee to assist Barry and I has been formed.
"Peter short listed three suitable replacements and I am pleased to say that all three are involved in the new committee for the Association.
"Peter wanted to have a Chairman following in his footsteps who was totally committed to the Club and had been active in the Former Players Association since it started.
John said: "During the last couple of months before Peter passed away, he and I spoke many times about his successor.
Barry is currently in New York with his wife and friends but has stated: "I am proud to become the Chairman of the Former Players Association and my hopes are to build on the work that Peter did and work with John and the Committee to spread the great work that Peter started and so believed in – it is a true honour to hold the position and follow the great Peter Wright."
It is hoped that the Former Players Association will extend its efforts from matchdays, trips and dinners to do even more work with and for the community in the coming years.