Coconuts TV – a window on Cambridge United's past

Click on the links below to go to our YouTube channel and see and hear the memories of personalities from Abbey and Cambridge United's history.

Coconuts TV's home page is here.

Bill Leivers was the manager who took Cambridge United to Southern League titles in 1969 and 1970 and guided the club through its first few years in the Football League. This interview is in seven parts: part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7.

Bob Bishop, a star player of the 1940s and 1950s, is believed to have been the first ex-professional footballer to sign for Abbey United. His recollections of those times include an appreciation of the great Wilf Mannion.

Russell Crane began playing for Abbey United at the age of 15 in 1941 and went on playing until 1959, taking in the transition to Cambridge United. A lethal goalscorer, he later converted to wing-half with great success. This interview is in two parts: part 2.

One of the best and bravest goalkeepers in United's history, the popular Rodney Slack was voted player of the year three times in his first five years at the club during the 1960s. This interview is in four parts: part 2, part 3, part 4.

A U's supporter since the 1950s, Derek Buxton has many memories of the great players of that and other eras. He was chairman of the fundraising organisation Abbey Action in the 1980s. This interview is in three parts: part 2, part 3.

Peter Hobbs was a talented goalscoring winger of the 1960s who played for both Cambridge United and Cambridge City. Supporters remember his scoring feats as well as his shock of blond hair. This interview is in two parts: part 2.

Tony Butcher, goal-poacher extraordinary, will always be remembered for the hat-trick he scored in 1969 to give Cambridge United the Southern League championship for the first time. This interview is in three parts: part 2, part 3.

Supporter Malcolm Dunn paid just 3d to get into his first game at the Abbey. He's seen them all come and some of them go since then, and he was delighted to share his memories. This interview is in four parts: part 2, part 3, part 4.

Terry O'Dell has supported Cambridge United since the 1950s. Terry discusses the players and managers he's known and how the club has changed during his time as a supporter. This interview is in four parts: part 2, part 3, part 4.

Johnny Haasz, goalscorer extraordinaire of the 1960s, left his native Hungary as the country went through upheaval in 1956. He carved out a successful career in England, leaving precious memories of his superb skills wherever he went.

On 11 October 2014 at the Abbey Stadium, Rodney Slack entertained fans in a 100 Years of Coconuts Q&A session. Part 2 of this video record can be found here. Thanks to Liam Fox for his inspired poster design, which can be seen in the thumbnail.

Cambridge United supporter Barry Moore shares his memories, one of the most vivid of which is of sitting in Wembley's royal box to witness United's victory over Chesterfield in the Division 4 play-off final on 26 May 1990. Part 2 of the interview is here.

The patron of 100 Years of Coconuts, Luke Chadwick, is a United man through and through, as well as a former Manchester United player. He talked to Coconuts TV in advance of the U's v Reds FA Cup fourth round tie on Friday, 23 January 2015.

He was  acclaimed for his all-action, never-say-die playing style and proclaimed King of the Abbey. On Saturday, 7 February 2015, Paul Wanless took part in a Coconuts Q&A session with supporters. Part 2 of Wannie's answers can be found here.

Cambridge born and bred, Teddy Bowd was a speedy outside right who made his United debut in 1952. Known to supporters as the Touchline Terror, he went on to play 98 times for the U's, scoring 13 times. He spoke to Coconuts TV in January 2014.

The Abbey Stadium is Ian Darler's pride and joy. Having joined Cambridge United as a young groundsman and now enjoying the title of stadium manager, he has seen massive change over the last 36 years. This interview is in three parts: part 2, part 3.

Portsmouth-born Peter Rapley signed for the U's in 1960 and made an immediate impression. At first a big, strong centre half, he was moved up front and started scoring: 15 goals in 32 games. Peter spoke to Coconuts TV in May 2015, shortly before his untimely death.

Goalscorer don't come much more prolific than Phil Hayes, who terrorised defenders in the 50s and 60s. Between 1958 and 1961 he notched an astonishing 95 goals in 134 appearances for the U's, before departing in order to play nearer his London home.

The Abbey Stadium wouldn't be the same without Colin Proctor's cheery presence – and he's been around the club since the 1940s. This interview with the long-time supporter and Fans' Elected Director is in three parts: part 2 here, part 3 here.

One of the most popular full backs in U's history, Bryan Boggis set a club record of 173 consecutive appearances. In nearly 250 games between 1961 and 1965 he excited fans with his speed and willingness to attack. Part 2 of this interview is here.

Former United teammates and firm friends goalkeeper Rodney Slack (left) and full back Bryan Boggis chatted in front of the Coconuts camera following Bryan's interview (above right). The stories started to flow … and kept flowing.

He might not be as well-known nationwide as his brother Pat, but Len Saward is a legend around Cambridge. An elusive inside forward, he joined United in 1952 and played 170 games. Then he worked in the club's commercial operation until 1987.

Cambridge United goalkeeper between 2007 and 2010, Danny Potter is entertaining company with a fund of fascinating stories. He kept a Coconuts Q&A audience enthralled – and his coat on – after the Notts County home game on 28 November 2015.

Centre forward Sammy Morgan liked to 'gee things up a bit', and many a keeper dreaded the big man's presence on the pitch. Sammy spoke to Coconuts TV in December 2015. This interview is in three parts: part can be found 2 here and part 3 here.

He was not the world's tallest centre back but Dave Stringer, a United player between 1976 and 1981, compensated with his reading of the game and his strength. This interview from December 2015 is in two parts: part 2 can be found here.

Roy McFarland, former England centre half and one of the most popular managers in United's history, visited the Abbey on Saturday, April 16 to take part in a packed Coconuts Q&A. Click here for the second part of this entertaining, informative session.

Trevor George's father played for the United first team, while Trevor turned out for the reserves and was the Abbey area's community beat police officer. Coconuts TV caught up with him in April 2016. Click here for the second part of this interview.

Brian Hart played at inside forward in the U's youth team that swept all before it in 1958/59. He then pulled on an England Youth shirt, becoming United’s first ever international player, and scored on his debut. He told Coconuts TV his story in May 2016.

Tom Youngs, a popular, all-action forward who played for the U's between 1997 and 2003. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, he returned to the Abbey in August 2016 to field questions and sign copies of his book, What Dreams Are (Not Quite) Made Of.

Peter Hallows has supported the U's for over 50 years, watching as they progressed through the 1960s and beyond. In this entertaining 2016 chat, he discusses the highs and lows of being a United supporter. For part two of the interview, click here.

Robert Ellis, a United supporter from a young age, progressed to working as a steward for the former Harris Suite. He came across a few well-known characters in the main stand corridors, and here he recalls some of the good old days.

 A U's supporter since the 1940s, Jean Cromar recalls the bell that was rung to indicate that United had scored at home, and how 'Coconuts' was played over the Tannoy to let local people  know that United had won away in the days before television.

Coconuts patron and U's fan Luke Chadwick first set foot in the Abbey Stadium in the 1980s. Over a long career with the likes of Manchester United, West Ham, MK Dons, Stoke City and Norwich City, his allegiance to the club he loves has never wavered. 

Bill Leivers is the last surviving member of the Manchester City team that won the FA Cup in 1956. Here he teams up with one of the strikers he managed at Cambridge United, Tony Butcher, for a question-and-answer session with U's supporters in 2014.

Two Cambridge United goalscoring legends were at the Abbey on 5 May 2018 to watch the 5-0 win against Port Vale. Afterwards, John Taylor and Alan Biley adjourned to the Abbey Arms to field supporters' questions in a Coconuts Q&A.

More than 50 years a United supporter, Steve Line also served his time in the boardroom in the turbulent 1980s. Businessman, radio host and former co-commentator for BBC Cambridgeshire, he spoke to Coconuts TV in November 2018.