Andy Duncan
It didn’t take long for U’s fans to realise that Manchester United’s loss was going to be their gain when the Northumbrian arrived in early 1998 on loan from Old Trafford and imposed himself on the U’s back line in a manner which we were to become accustomed for the next nine years or so. The management clearly felt the same as the initial loan was converted in to a £20k purchase before the end of that season.
Clearly something clicked as United romped to second place promotion in the 1998-99 season under Roy Mac and David Preece. Against some odds, albeit with some heavy investment in player wages, the U’s stayed up for three seasons and captain Duncan more than played his part with his no-nonsense defending but intelligent distribution and the odd goal contribution. Painfully Duncan missed most of the first 1999-00 season with a broken leg but returned with a vengeance the following season and popped in a goal to salvage a point at Griffin Park in the November.
On return to tier four Duncan continued to be a mainstay in Utd’s defence up until relegation. He stayed to fight the good fight in the Conference but by the end of the 2007 season was given a free transfer and joined the Clarets of Chelmsford. His ties with the U’s remained though in commercial roles and he also qualified to become a driving instructor in the Cambridge area. A Utd first? In all 328 appearances and 11 goals. Legend.
It didn’t take long for U’s fans to realise that Manchester United’s loss was going to be their gain when the Northumbrian arrived in early 1998 on loan from Old Trafford and imposed himself on the U’s back line in a manner which we were to become accustomed for the next nine years or so. The management clearly felt the same as the initial loan was converted in to a £20k purchase before the end of that season.
Clearly something clicked as United romped to second place promotion in the 1998-99 season under Roy Mac and David Preece. Against some odds, albeit with some heavy investment in player wages, the U’s stayed up for three seasons and captain Duncan more than played his part with his no-nonsense defending but intelligent distribution and the odd goal contribution. Painfully Duncan missed most of the first 1999-00 season with a broken leg but returned with a vengeance the following season and popped in a goal to salvage a point at Griffin Park in the November.
On return to tier four Duncan continued to be a mainstay in Utd’s defence up until relegation. He stayed to fight the good fight in the Conference but by the end of the 2007 season was given a free transfer and joined the Clarets of Chelmsford. His ties with the U’s remained though in commercial roles and he also qualified to become a driving instructor in the Cambridge area. A Utd first? In all 328 appearances and 11 goals. Legend.