Remembering the Lives of Two Lilywhites

The club was saddened this week to hear about the recent passing of John Upchurch and Arthur Reeves, who supported our club in their own unique ways.

Unfortunately, John was unable to visit the ground recently due to ill health, despite having planned to do so. He was among the few who appreciated our participation in the NPL over the last couple of years, as the matches were closer to his residence. Our thoughts are with John and Arthur’s family during this challenging time.

We warmly welcome John's wife and son to tomorrow's game, when they wish to visit the stadium for John, also view the new brick in Lilywhites Walkway for John and plan to scatter some of his ashes in our memorial garden.

We will observe a minute of silence at tomorrow's home match for both. Please join us in this moment to remember both John and Arthur.

In memory of John Upchurch, 1947–2025

'My dad sadly passed away on 15 February from cancer. He was City through and through, devoted to the club and had been looking forward, like many City fans for eleven long years, to seeing his beloved club at the new ground. As he wasn't quite able to make it, I'll be at today's game as a tribute to him.

Dad grew up in Grantchester and Cambridge, going to see City every week with his dad Bob through the fifties and sixties. At games he was known as 'young Bob'. Even when he moved to study in Manchester in 1966, later settling in Macclesfield, every matchday revolved around City's fortunes. We'd make regular trips to visit relatives and go to Milton Road, and in between visits my great aunt would send all the Cambridge Evening News cuttings about City she could find. I think one of his proudest moments was seeing me as a mascot in the late eighties for Steve Fallon's side. 

I now live in New Zealand, but I'll be picking up his Supporters Club membership and continuing to follow the team from afar. I'm appreciative to everyone at the club past and present who knew him and helped him to keep in touch with all the ups and downs, in particular Alice Dewey and Gill Wordingham. 

We made sure his oldest scarf went with him, and he'll now be remembered on the Lilywhites Walkway along with my grandpa. 

To me, Cambridge City will always be Dad.'

Michael Upchurch, Son of John Upchurch

In memory of Arthur Reeves 1945 - 2025

Arthur was a long serving member of the Cambridgeshire FA, joined in 1982 and served various roles. He was still actively serving on the Leagues and Cups Committee and the Girls and Women's Committee, as well as being a member of the Cambridge and District Colts League Committee.

Arthur had played for Pyes/Phillips as well as undertaking many off the pitch roles for that club.

Arthur was groundsman for our Club at Milton Road from 1998 to 2010, working alongside Trevor Ball and Nigel Green. Arthur was appointed Stadium Manager in 2000, he was often grumpy around the ground but he loved and worked extra hard for our club. Arthur died on 21st February aged 79.