And that's about the size of the crowds they've been getting
As there should be a bigger away support than normal, at least of the size of Orient, whatever the run of results. And it will be our first visit to the new ground, more information than usual for Day Return. Enjoy!
The Colchester Community Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as the Weston Homes Community Stadium, is an all-seater football stadium, the home of the Farmers. The stadium was built at Cuckoo Farm, on the northern outskirts of Colchester, with work beginning in July 2007, ready for the 2008/09 football season. The stadium has a capacity of about 10,000, with potential to increase to 18,000, and cost £14 million, largely paid for by Colchester Borough Council, with additional grants from the Football Foundation, the Communities and Local Government and the East of England Development Agency.
The site contains more than 600 parking spaces and two synthetic surface football pitches, for use by the Colchester United Community Sports Trust. The complex is encompasses a variety of sporting, leisure and business facilities, including hospitality suites. The catering facilities are managed by Lindley Catering, also caterers to Manchester City and Derby County.
On 12 June 2008, Colchester United revealed a ten year sponsorship deal with Weston Homes, worth up to £2 million to sponsor the new stadium. The deal included sponsorship of Colchester United's shirts for the 2008-09 season.
The football club took possession of the stadium in July 2008. Colchester United's first game at the stadium was a 2-1 loss against Athletic Bilbao on 4 August 2008. The first goal at the stadium was scored by Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz. Colchester's first goal at the new stadium was the equaliser, scored by Scott Vernon which was also the first penalty awarded at the stadium. The first red card in the stadium was also shown in that game, Athletic Bilbao's Ander Murillo was sent off an hour into the match. Near the end of the game David López Moreno scored to give Bilbao a 2-1 victory.
The first competitive match played at the ground was a 0-0 draw between Colchester United and Huddersfield Town in League One, before an attendance of 5,340
All 1,800 tickets available for the away end have SOLD OUT.
Full article here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=432776
COACH
For the latest news, prices and pick-up points for the supporters club coaches click here: www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/default.asp?page_id=627
For an alternative journey keep up to date with SoL Travel at: www.theshrimpers-online.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=8
Under 16's only allowed to travel if accompanied by an adult.
TRAIN
Those dreaded words that strike fear into train travellers, engineering works, will affect those who plan to use this form of transport.
You'll be able to use the train until Billericay, then it's a one hour bus ride to Colchester Main Line Station (also known as Colchester North). It all adds about 40 minutes to the journey.
Times
26 and 46 past the hour from Southend Victoria, up to 2 hours 11 minutes depending where you join. 26 service slightly faster but I wouldn't bet on it.
The first bus you could probably aim for to get back is the 17.49 however there will be at least two an hour, three before 19.00, and traffic conditions will play a part in the time they arrive and leave. At least an hour to get back to Billericay.
There are two trains an hour leaving Billericay for Southend at 08 and 38.
Arriving, example: 10.26, arrives Billericay 10.51. Bus leaves 11.05, arrives Colchester Main Line station 12.07.
Returning, example: Bus leaves Colchester Main Line station 17.49, arrives Billericay 18.55. Leaves for Southend Victoria 19.08, arrives 19.33.
If you have to use the Fenchurch Street Line, you can make the short walk to Liverpool Street, or get a tube from West Ham to Liverpool Street changing at
Shenfield is not an option!
The nearest station to the ground is Colchester Main Line which is just under two miles away from the stadium. Located near to the station at Bruff Close is a free shuttle bus service that will take you to the ground.
Free Shuttle Bus for the Stadium
A free shuttle bus will be in operation from Bruff Close, which is close to Colchester North, (at the end of the station approach turn left and take the second exit at the roundabout, the buses park behind the "Big Yellow" storage facility that you can see from the station). Attached to your match ticket should be a voucher for the bus. For 3pm kick offs it will run from 1pm, with the last bus returning from the stadium at 6pm.
The word is they work surprisingly well. Afterwards they let the buses out of the car park before cars, which leads to a fairly swift return to the station and an easy getaway.
Bruff Close where the buses are can just be seen top left to the right of the station, Br. C.
Tickets
The cost is £17.30 for a off-peak day return you can buy on the day but they are available now with no hidden costs at www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com.
A couple of quid more if you go from Liverpool Street.
Fill in the details from your home postcode to here for a full route plan www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp ;
However, it seems most internet route planners have not updated from Layer Road! The address is United Way CO4 5UP.
For an edited version: Approx. 41 miles, 1 hour.
A127, A1158, A127 again then exit onto A1245 (signposted Chelmsford A130). At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A130 (signposted Chelmsford). At roundabout take the 2nd exit, then merge to unamed road. At roundabout take the 3rd exit, then merge onto the A12 (signposted Colchester).
DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THE EARLY EXITS OFF THE A12 SIGNED COLCHESTER CENTRAL, BUT TAKE THE A120 EXIT, SIGNED HARWICH/CLACTON and COLCHESTER NORTH (A1232).
Immediatly fork left towards Colchester (A1232) and at the roundabout, take exit signed A12 London/Colchester Business Park. Turn immediatly left into Colchester Business Park. At the first roundabout, turn right into the Crescent then at the next roundabout, turn right into Severalls Lane signposted Boxted. Turn left at the next roundabout into Axial Way, and straight over the next roundabout into United Way.
Phew! If you do not see the floodlights, your lost!
FOOD AND DRINK
SHORT BREAKS
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure.
To access their Colchester page click here.
(Thanks to the Internet Ground Guide, http://www.footballgroundguide.com/colchester_united, and DoDtS's excellent Shrimperzone Away Travel section, www.shrimperzone.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=24, for their help in preparing this article.)