Notts County vs.
Bradford City game!
Let's hear your thoughts and predictions.
By Joe Jones
Notts County have met Colchester United 42 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988.
The Magpies are in front when it comes to head-to-head, having won 20 games to Colchester's 15, with seven draws.
All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.
Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937.
However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873.
Despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, though, they refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players.
As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and went on from strength to strength while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded.
Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time.
The U's won the Football League Trophy (now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) in 1996-97. and also compete in a competition called the Essex Senior Cup, a tournament contested by mostly non-league clubs within the region (Colchester usually field a youth/reserve team for this), winning this trophy back in 2009-10.
Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 1984.
Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua.
The town of Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79.
It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain, and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.
Since 2006, Colchester has been one of 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state.
Team news
Marc Bola is an injury concern for Notts County as they prepare to host Colchester on Saturday.
The left-back, on loan from Arsenal, missed last weekend's win at Wycombe Wanderers due to a hamstring injury. He has resumed training and Magpies manager Kevin Nolan will give the teenager as long as possible to prove his fitness.
Should he not make it, Carl Dickinson, who impressed against the Chairboys, will continue in his absence.
A hamstring issue has kept Curtis Thompson out recently but he could return to the squad. However, fellow midfielder Mark Yeates must serve the second game of a three-match ban for a red card he received against Barnet.
Goalkeeper Sam Walker is in line to make his 150th league appearance for Colchester.
Chris Porter scored a brace in last weekend's win over Luton, which kept the U's in the play-off hunt so should lead the attack again, while midfielder Owen Garvan will be assessed as he has been carrying a knee problem.
Defender Tom Eastman and midfielder Doug Loft are stepping up their rehabilitation, but centre-back Jermaine Grandison has left the Essex club having not made an first-team appearance since signing a short-term deal after he sustained a hip injury.
Midfielder Sammie Szmodics is recovering from a broken leg, while leading scorer Kurtis Guthrie, midfielder Craig Slater, defender Frankie Kent and forward Denny Johnstone are all long-term absentees along with club captain Luke Prosser.
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now