Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner has extended his stay at The Abbey after signing a long-term contract with the club, according to the club’s official website.
Bonner took over as first team manager in 2020 after stepping up from an assistant head coach role following Mick Halsall’s departure. His tenure has seen promotion to League One, a highest league finish since the 1993-94 season and a FA Cup giant killing away at Newcastle United.
His career with Cambridge started in 2002, working in the club’s youth ranks before administration saw the club close their academy. Rejoining the club in 2011, the coach served in a number of roles, including managing the club’s reserve side, Cambridge Regional College.
The 37-year-old has managed over 180 games for the Us, making him the sixth longest serving manager in the EFL.
Cambridge have started the League One season in excellent fashion. To the surprise of many, they currently sit sixth in the table with four league wins registered after the club narrowly survived relegation on the final day four months ago.
United will make the trip to Wigan Athletic at the weekend as they hope to continue their superb start to the campaign.
What has been said?
Club majority owner, Paul Barry has expressed his delight at Bonner agreeing a new deal;
“We are all very pleased that Mark has signed this new contract. He is very talented coach and a fantastic leader of this football club – someone who has been a very important part of our recent past and has a big role to play in our future.
“We won’t be giving any further details but this should be seen as further evidence of our shared ambition and desire at every level of the Club to push forward further together.”
Additionally, Mark Bonner has said:
“Everyone knows how much Cambridge United means to me and I am really excited by our potential.
“Our mindset is to keep moving forwards and making progress, and whilst our progress in recent years has been fairly rapid, we all believe that much more can lie ahead for us.
“To be trusted to contribute to that in the coming years is an honour and I am extremely grateful to the Owners and Board for their loyalty, trust and support and handing me that responsibility.
“We have got great people at every part of this football club. We are humble enough to know who we are, honest enough to know the size of the challenges ahead and what it will take to progress, but at the same time ambitious and hungry to improve.
“Together with our fans we face the future as ever with enthusiasm, hard work and collective endeavour within the values we have developed as a football club.”
Writer’s View
It would have been incredibly harsh to even consider dismissing Bonner despite the club’s struggles last season; therefore, I am delighted to see he has extended his stay with the side. I feel this is a brilliant piece of business from the club too. His dedication and commitment to Cambridge is clear to see and the club has only continued to grow throughout his tenure.
Additionally, this will only boost United on top of their excellent start to the campaign. Only 37, Us fans must be excited for how far their journey with Bonner can take them.
