The Evening News produced 13 pages of coverage after Cambridge United were relegated into the Nationwide Conference.

The paper increased its Monday sport section by four pages, while the front five pages of the main paper were also devoted to the club losing its 35-year league status.

Sports editor Chris Gill had drawn up a special review of the season, and reporter Aaron Mason had spoken to former players, directors – and controversial ex-manager Herve Renard at his home in France.

Photo technician Andy Lord put together a photo montage for the front of the sports supplement of a house of cards collapsing with the faces of key members of the club pasted on.

It was accompanied by the headline ‘And it all came tumbling down’.

The club, which just 13 years ago was in the play off semi finals to go into the Premiership, had its fate sealed on Saturday after a goalless draw with Rochdale.

An Evening News Save Our Club campaign will continue as the financial situation at the Abbey Stadium remains as perilous as the league position.

Evening News editor Murray Morse said: “Our coverage of Cambridge United’s relegation from the Football league was a superb piece of work of which we are all rightly proud.

“Chris Gill and his team did a fantastic job and were backed-up by great pictures. Our news team also put in a fantastic effort at the front end of the paper.

“It’s not the sort of souvenir we’d like to be serving up to readers – but in terms of the coverage of a turning point in United’s history, it’s a magnificent effort.

“All the angles were covered, from the match itself, through to the fans protests, the board’s turmoil, the end of 35 years of league status and, most importantly, the views of the supporters themselves.

“We will continue to provide the best coverage of Cambridge United on and off the field. We need a league team and I am hopeful that if the city rallies round they will be back very soon.”

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