League Cup 1st Round - Colchester United (A)

[class-of-82]

great draw for me 20 mins up the a12 just need a ticket now

[IAmTheOneIanOlney]

great draw for me 20 mins up the a12 just need a ticket now

Same here, albeit the A120. Sod's law, though, I think it clashes with our family holiday.

[PeterWithesShin]

From the football ground guide. So blame them not me if any of it is incorrect!

Away fans are normally housed in the northern part of the JobServe Stand, which is situated on one side of the stadium. Around a thousand supporters can be accommodated in this area. For Clubs with a larger travelling support then the Roman Cars Stand (the North End), where up to 2,000 supporters can be seated, is allocated instead. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities and view of the playing action are good. The stands are particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept close to the pitch and resulting in good sight lines. A varied range of food is available on the concourses, including Cheesburgers (£3.40), Hot Dogs (£3.30), Cornish Pasties (£3.10), Chicken Balti Pies (£2.90), Steak & Ale Pies (£2.90), Cheese & Onion Pasties (£2.90) and Sausage Rolls (£2.90). Adam Hodson a visiting Stockport County fan tells me; 'The ground is equipped with electronic turnstiles. The stadium is very similar to Shrewsbury's New Meadow with all four stands being of similar height'. John Hill a visiting Huddersfield Town fan adds; 'One pleasing feature was that at 6'2", I was still okay for leg room, which is not always the case at some other grounds. We caught the shuttle bus from the station and it worked surprisingly well. We got to the ground easily, and afterwards they let the buses out of the car park before cars, which led to a fairly swift return to the station and an easy getaway'. Peter Clark an Ipswich Town fan adds; 'There is no facility to pay cash at the turnstiles, so you have to buy your tickets from the Ticket booth if you haven't already bought them in advance'.

Mick Hubbard informs me; 'The ground is not in a great place. Like Chester in the past, the club has been dispatched to a far-flung part of town, sitting the the edge of a new business park, surrounded by wasteland.  Although the facilities were excellent, it is quite a depressing location for a "community" club'. Tony Cannan a visiting Plymouth Argyle supporter warns; 'Be careful when climbing the stairs to your seat row in the stand itself. It's very easy to misjudge these steps and lose your footing'. Whilst Sparky a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'We always look forward to going to a game in Colchester, as we stay overnight in Clacton-on-Sea and then take the train into Colchester and back. The train journey time from Clacton is around 30 minutes.'

Pubs

The Club allow access to the bar and toilets located on the concourse area of the Weston Homes Stand, before each home game (12.15pm for a 3.00pm Kick-Off). Drinks can be taken back outside the stadium to enjoy the pre-match entertainment such as live bands which are often playing under the marquee. This bar is available to both home and away supporters. Alcohol available includes; Lager, Bitter, Wine, plus Whisky and Brandy (all at £3.80).

With the stadium being on the very outskirts of Colchester, then there is little in the choice of pubs. David Prior informs me; 'The Dog and Pheasant on Nayland Road, is probably the closest to the stadium, although it is till around 3/4's of a mile away. However, it is only admitting home fans'. Audrey MacDonald a visiting Hartlepool United fan adds; 'We visited the Dog and Pheasant and were admitted okay, although we weren't wearing colours. The pub had a good choice of beer and did food too. To find the pub, go down to the end of United Way, then at the end turn left into Boxted Road and at the mini-roundabout go straight over into Nayland Road. The Dog and Pheasant is on the right next to a fish and chip shop'. About one and half miles away on the Ipswich Road (A1232, off A12/A120) is the Balkerne Gate pub, which is part of the Brewers Fayre chain.

David Prior continues; 'If you are arriving at Colchester North Station then there are a few pubs within a five minute walk. Directly opposite Bruff Close (where the shuttle bus runs from) is the Bricklayers, which is more of a home pub. If you turn right out of the station and cross at the pedestrian crossing and keep going straight on down North Station road, you will come to the Norfolk, which is a Greene King pub and offers a good selection of lagers and ales. A little further on is the third option being the Albert, which is a Beefeater pub'. John Hill a visiting Huddersfield Town fan adds; 'The Norfolk Arms, which is less than five minutes walk away from the station car park was happy to admit away fans and seems to be the designated pub. It looks like that it has recently been refurbished, plus they serve hand-pulled real ale. Plus Sky Sports on screen & a new-looking pool table, so definitely recommended'. Les Fry a visiting AFC Bournemouth fan adds; 'We and a few other Cherries fans drank in the Bricklayers pub near to the shuttle bus stop and experienced no problems.'

Alternatively you can take the short train ride from Colchester (North) mainline station to Colchester Town, around which there are plenty of pubs to be found. Ed Aitken adds; 'A decent bet for a pub near town station is the Odd One Out pub at the bottom of Mersea road (about a two minute walk). It is the most traditional real ale pub in Colchester, although swearing is banned!' A 5-10 minute walk away is the Playhouse, which is a Wetherspoons outlet. This former theatre is a spectacular setting for a bar, as the original dress circle and stage of the theatre have been preserved and is well worth a visit. Alcohol is also available inside the stadium.

[wittonwarrior]

Always  quite liked the U's  since they beat dirty Leeds. Wonder if they will turn Ray Crawford out at half time.

[Pat McMahon]

Have we played Colchester since the game in the late 1970s which went to penalties and we won 9-8?

No I don't think so.
I remember that match. We'd won away at Layer Road and then lost to them in the second leg.

I'm pretty sure it was Mike Walker (ex Everton and Norwich manager) who was their keeper and he missed the deciding penalty, or he missed one at any rate as all the outfield players had taken one.

I think it was our first competitive penalty shoot out and we haven't had very many since considering the number of cup ties since then. Obviously Tranmere, Inter and Bolton and one v Wimbledon I recall...

u

First penalty shoot out I ever saw and IIRC you are correct, Mike Walker missed the deciding penalty - think Chris Waddle v Germany in 1990 and you are nearly there. 8-7 is the final score in my head.

[manic-road]

I used to live in Colly and occasionally go to see them at Layer Road before they moved into a new stadium, it was a right dump but good atmosphere.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Shades of 74 - league cup game at Layer Road , league cup winners and promotion.  Take that no questions even if it means losing against  Ipswich  in the other cup

I was there -  I think we had both Little brothers playing in same team - Alan and Brian?

I was there too. Both Littles played and Alan got the winner.

https://www.11v11.com/matches/colchester-united-v-aston-villa-03-december-1974-29743/

Cumbes  Nicholl  Ross  Robson  Aitken  Brown  Hamilton  Alan Little  Brian Little  Carrodus  Graydon

 

[wittonwarrior]

I used to live in Colly and occasionally go to see them at Layer Road before they moved into a new stadium, it was a right dump but good atmosphere.

Only ever been there the one time and not to see the Villa.  Would have been a reason as to why didn't go the 74 game as I was living  only in Ilford  at the time.  What a dump with the small wooden stand which was divided

Have heard the new ground is a distance from the town centre

[manic-road]

I used to live in Colly and occasionally go to see them at Layer Road before they moved into a new stadium, it was a right dump but good atmosphere.

Only ever been there the one time and not to see the Villa.  Would have been a reason as to why didn't go the 74 game as I was living  only in Ilford  at the time.  What a dump with the small wooden stand which was divided

Have heard the new ground is a distance from the town centre

Yes it's not walking distance from the town centre.

[castlefields_villan]

Always  quite liked the U's  since they beat dirty Leeds. Wonder if they will turn Ray Crawford out at half time.

I'm with you on this one WW - I seriously disliked Leeds in the late 1960s and early 1970s and no matter what tournament they were chasing I'd always support the opposition - 1970 was good when Celtic knocked them out of the European Cup at the semi final stage, Everton won the league championship and Chelsea beat them in the FA Cup final replay - I think in that order - chasing the treble and ended up with nothing. Derby winning the league in 1972 and Sunderland beating them in 1973 was even better but I'll never forget how jolly it was to see them humbled by Colchester in 1971 with Dave Simmons scoring what proved to be the crucial 3rd goal - happy days - good on yer Colchester.

[UK Redsox]

I used to live in Colly and occasionally go to see them at Layer Road before they moved into a new stadium, it was a right dump but good atmosphere.

Only ever been there the one time and not to see the Villa.  Would have been a reason as to why didn't go the 74 game as I was living  only in Ilford  at the time.  What a dump with the small wooden stand which was divided

Have heard the new ground is a distance from the town centre

Yes it's not walking distance from the town centre.

I drove past it last year on the way to Ipswich. The ground is on the bypass. A couple of miles from the station and even further from the town centre

[olaftab]

Typical of the club fixing the draw so that ST holders can't get their free ticket

[frank]

We did play Colchester in pre season back in 2008 or so, was a 2-2 and Harewood scored for us, maybe even Sidwell too. my dad supports Colchester and lives about five mins from their ground so I went to this one.

I drove you there, Deano!

[Deano's Mullet]

We did play Colchester in pre season back in 2008 or so, was a 2-2 and Harewood scored for us, maybe even Sidwell too. my dad supports Colchester and lives about five mins from their ground so I went to this one.

I drove you there, Deano!

Yes you did Frank. You parked on my dads driveway. Cant wait for the fixtures on Weds.

[SoccerHQ]

I used to live in Colly and occasionally go to see them at Layer Road before they moved into a new stadium, it was a right dump but good atmosphere.

Only ever been there the one time and not to see the Villa.  Would have been a reason as to why didn't go the 74 game as I was living  only in Ilford  at the time.  What a dump with the small wooden stand which was divided

Have heard the new ground is a distance from the town centre

Yes it's not walking distance from the town centre.

I drove past it last year on the way to Ipswich. The ground is on the bypass. A couple of miles from the station and even further from the town centre

Still probably quicker for you to get to than Forest Green.