23 April 1984 - Cambridge Learns The Other Definition Of "Smarts"

On 23 April 1984, Cambridge United set a Football League record for futility, stretching their winless streak to 31 games.

Playing in Division Two, United had finished 12th the previous season and were looking to improve upon that showing in 1983-84. They got off to a good start with a win and a draw in their first two games, but their campaign soon floundered, with three losses out their next four. Then, after a 2-1 win over Oldham on 1 October, just their second victory of the season, Cambridge started their historic run.

It opened with a 1-3 loss to Crystal Palace, the first of seven consecutive losses in the league (plus two more in the League Cup). After that, they managed to sprinkle in a few draws among the losses, culminating in their 31st consecutive winless game in the league, a scoreless draw away at Grimsby Town.

They finally stopped the hemorrhage of points with a 1-0 win over Newcastle on 28 April, but the damage had already been done. They remained rooted at the foot of the table to the end and dropped back down into Division Three.

Their 31-game winless streak remained a league record until 2008, when it was surpassed by Derby County, who stretched the mark to 36 games.