By Joe Jones
Notts County have met Colchester United 43 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 21 games to Colchester's 15, with seven draws.
The first fixture between Notts and Colchester took place on 23 February 1959 at Layer Road, a Division Three clash which finished 4-1 to the U's.
The last fixture was last season on 1 April, the Magpies winning 3-1 at Meadow Lane.
All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.
History
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
Notts County are assessing Jon Stead ahead of Saturday's game after suffering a dead leg in the draw with Yeovil in midweek.
Magpies manager Kevin Nolan fears that the game at Meadow Lane could come too quickly for the veteran striker to be involved.
Jonathan Forte, who replaced Stead at Huish Park and scored the opening goal, took a hit to the face at Huish Park but he is expected to be alright to play.
Shola Ameobi was rested against Yeovil but he will return to contention for the weekend when Notts look to protect their unbeaten league record at Meadow Lane this season.
In-form Colchester will check on the fitness of winger Doug Loft ahead of the trip to Meadow Lane.
Loft was recalled to the side for the midweek win over Lincoln but was forced off late in the first half because of a shoulder problem.
Midfielder Sean Murray is stepping up his recovery following knee surgery along with forward Kurtis Guthrie, who has been sidelined by long-term ankle trouble.
Winger Brennan Dickenson, club captain Luke Prosser and midfielder Courtney Senior are all working their way back from respective knee problems.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
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