MARK BONNER
This is going to be short because Mark Bonner needs no introduction at Cambridge United. Although he never represented the U’s on the pitch (he actually played for City as a youngster), off it he has now held every position at the club bar turnstile operator! Mark Bonner’s legacy at Cambridge United is still a work in progress but few individuals in the club’s history have made such an impact at the Abbey Stadium.
In professional football very few fans, season ticket holders, go on to manage their football clubs, let alone guide them to promotion as Mark did. On top of that, an FA Cup victory at St. James’s Park and then the ‘Great Escape’ in 2023 have secured Mark the status of a true Abbey legend. He departed in November 2023 but most fans knew, deep down, that Mark would return. We knew!
As a schoolboy at Sawston Village College Mark watched the U’s from the Habbin. He started working for the club in 2002 as an academy coach, still a teenager. In 2005 Mark, briefly, headed up the U’s centre of excellence before it folded, a victim of the funding lost with relegation from the Football League. Mark went to work in Southend’s academy but returned in 2011, appointed by Jez George as Head of Youth Development. “He’s a bright, thoughtful, enthusiastic young coach who will do a fantastic job with our scholars,” Jez said of his new recruit.
In 2018 Mark was promoted to work as a first team coach, first assisting Shaun Derry then Joe Dunne then Colin Calderwood. When Joe departed, Mark had a spell as caretaker manager, and he did likewise when Calderwood left in February 2020. That season was halted a month later due to the covid pandemic but, following three wins in his six games, United quickly moved to appoint Mark on a permanent basis.
Here’s what Paul Barry had to say when Mark’s appointment was announced: “As a Club we have always recognised Mark’s great potential as a coach and it is why we fast tracked him from the academy into the first team set up. Over recent weeks he has really stepped up as a leader of our football club and impressed everybody in the way he has conducted himself, motivated everyone and galvanised the Club. He is Cambridge United through and through and has genuinely earned this opportunity.” A leader, a motivator and a role model, that sums Mark up nicely.
The behind-closed-doors promotion season was hugely entertaining, even via a TV or computer screen, and was just what we needed to help beat the wretchedness of the various lockdowns. That first season back in the third tier, the wins at Newcastle, Ipswich, Portsmouth and Wigan, had United back doing what the club has done throughout its history – punching above its weight.
Anyone who has listened to Mark in the media, or in person, will know how bright and articulate he is. Win, lose or draw, his post-match interviews were always interesting, never bland. He always had things to say and made his points clearly and concisely - an insight, perhaps, as to why he is a great coach. United director Godric Smith, whose business is PR, was asked about Mark Bonner’s media training. ‘What media training?’ was his reply! Remarkable.
In total – to date, that is - Mark has overseen 201 first team games as U’s head coach or caretaker, and is now shaping the direction of Cambridge United FC as Director of Football. Is there anyone better qualified than Mark Bonner to do that? Mark has United DNA, we are in good hands.
This is going to be short because Mark Bonner needs no introduction at Cambridge United. Although he never represented the U’s on the pitch (he actually played for City as a youngster), off it he has now held every position at the club bar turnstile operator! Mark Bonner’s legacy at Cambridge United is still a work in progress but few individuals in the club’s history have made such an impact at the Abbey Stadium.
In professional football very few fans, season ticket holders, go on to manage their football clubs, let alone guide them to promotion as Mark did. On top of that, an FA Cup victory at St. James’s Park and then the ‘Great Escape’ in 2023 have secured Mark the status of a true Abbey legend. He departed in November 2023 but most fans knew, deep down, that Mark would return. We knew!
As a schoolboy at Sawston Village College Mark watched the U’s from the Habbin. He started working for the club in 2002 as an academy coach, still a teenager. In 2005 Mark, briefly, headed up the U’s centre of excellence before it folded, a victim of the funding lost with relegation from the Football League. Mark went to work in Southend’s academy but returned in 2011, appointed by Jez George as Head of Youth Development. “He’s a bright, thoughtful, enthusiastic young coach who will do a fantastic job with our scholars,” Jez said of his new recruit.
In 2018 Mark was promoted to work as a first team coach, first assisting Shaun Derry then Joe Dunne then Colin Calderwood. When Joe departed, Mark had a spell as caretaker manager, and he did likewise when Calderwood left in February 2020. That season was halted a month later due to the covid pandemic but, following three wins in his six games, United quickly moved to appoint Mark on a permanent basis.
Here’s what Paul Barry had to say when Mark’s appointment was announced: “As a Club we have always recognised Mark’s great potential as a coach and it is why we fast tracked him from the academy into the first team set up. Over recent weeks he has really stepped up as a leader of our football club and impressed everybody in the way he has conducted himself, motivated everyone and galvanised the Club. He is Cambridge United through and through and has genuinely earned this opportunity.” A leader, a motivator and a role model, that sums Mark up nicely.
The behind-closed-doors promotion season was hugely entertaining, even via a TV or computer screen, and was just what we needed to help beat the wretchedness of the various lockdowns. That first season back in the third tier, the wins at Newcastle, Ipswich, Portsmouth and Wigan, had United back doing what the club has done throughout its history – punching above its weight.
Anyone who has listened to Mark in the media, or in person, will know how bright and articulate he is. Win, lose or draw, his post-match interviews were always interesting, never bland. He always had things to say and made his points clearly and concisely - an insight, perhaps, as to why he is a great coach. United director Godric Smith, whose business is PR, was asked about Mark Bonner’s media training. ‘What media training?’ was his reply! Remarkable.
In total – to date, that is - Mark has overseen 201 first team games as U’s head coach or caretaker, and is now shaping the direction of Cambridge United FC as Director of Football. Is there anyone better qualified than Mark Bonner to do that? Mark has United DNA, we are in good hands.
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