Former Bristol Rovers forward Jamie Cureton has been dismissed as Cambridge City manager after a poor start to the new campaign.
The eighth-tier club confirmed the decision following early cup elimination and a run of disappointing league results. Cureton, who featured in a Real EFL podcast a couple of years ago, is still a hero to Gas fans.
Board Acts After Slow Start
The 50-year-old, who took charge at the start of the 2024/25 season, initially steadied the Lilywhites and guided them towards a mid-table finish. Hopes were raised this summer with the board backing him to mount a play-off challenge, but just four points from the opening seven games left the side sitting in the bottom four of their division.
Cambridge were also knocked out of the FA Cup in the qualifying rounds by lower-league opposition for the second successive season. In a statement, the club said:
“Following a disappointing start to the season, Cambridge City FC can confirm that Jamie Cureton has been relieved of his duties as First Team Manager. We believe that, if we are to achieve our ambition of securing a play-off place, it is imperative to act quickly and bring in a new manager who can offer a fresh approach for the remainder of the campaign.”
Temporary Team Put in Place
Under-18s boss Shaun Sowden and head of youth development Neil Midgeley will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis while the board begins the search for a permanent successor. Cambridge are keen to climb back up the non-league ladder in a division that also includes Norfolk rivals Wroxham, Gorleston and Downham Town.
The dismissal marks the latest step in Cureton’s long career in English football, where he first made his name as a prolific striker. After emerging from Norwich’s academy, he played 96 times for the Canaries across two spells, scoring 23 goals. He also enjoyed stints at Colchester United, Bristol Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Reading, becoming a familiar face to supporters across the Football League.
Writer’s View
This is a tough blow for Cureton, whose reputation as a goalscorer has gradually shifted into the challenges of management. Cambridge’s ambition of reaching the play-offs appears unchanged despite their slow start, and the board has acted decisively to keep their campaign alive.
For Cureton, this setback may provide an opportunity to reset and re-evaluate his next steps in coaching, while Cambridge must quickly appoint a new figure capable of steadying results in a competitive local division.
