As if the trip to Walsall wasn’t made bad enough by the result on the day, for one U’s supporter the day got even worse when they left their bag of programmes behind in the stand, no doubt in their attempt to escape the ground as quick as possible following the last minute drama.

However a good Samaritan spotted the bag in the stand and deducing that it must belong to a fellow U’s supporter, couriered it back to Colchester.

Now he would like to reunite supporter and programmes, so if you were the hardy soul that made the trek to Walsall and left behind their souvenirs, contact Jon Burns on the usual number and he will put you in contact..

Long time U’s season ticket holder Martin Thurlwell will once again be running his Football Prediction Competition this season.

The competition is run to raise money for East Anglia's Children’s Hospices and will be particularly special this year as it will be run in memory of Martin’s daughter Olivia who died at just 3 days old in October 2008.

To read more about the work that the Hospice do, go to their website, www.each.org.uk. To enter the competition, simply download the entry form below and follow the instructions. Forms will also be available from Jeanette on the coaches to Norwich on Saturday.

The 2nd August saw the W.H.C.S. host a Community Day to celebrate the ground‘s first anniversary. The day was a fantastic success with over 1000 people visiting the stadium.

A range of activities took place on the day including autograph signing by Stephen Gillespie and Alan Maybury, questions and answer sessions with Ian Phillips and Paul Abrahams and cooking sessions for the kids. Committee members Jamie and Kylie helped out by giving tours of the stadium. Visitors got to see a variety of hospitality rooms, the West Stand, the pitch and the dressing rooms as well as hearing all about the work of Educ@teUtd. To those who haven't seen the newly decorated home dressing room, our CUSA tour guides can certainly testify that blue and white stripes have taken over the place and the U's players certainly won't get confused which team they're playing for next season!

There was a real mix of visitors on the day, including young, old, regular match goers, occasional match goers and some that had never been to the stadium at all before. Hopefully all enjoyed their day and we might see and few people back to support the U's next season.

The CUSA are delighted to announce that nearly 300 members have signed up already for the new season.

If you haven’t done so yet and need a membership application form, please see the Membership page, where you can now download the form.

Yet again, the CUSA is here to help members obtain their away match tickets!

As many regulars aboard the CUSA coaches will already know, we organise it so that you'll be next to friends and family, or at the very least, fellow U's fans that you know from travelling on the coach.

For example, we've already helped close to 50 members with their match tickets for the first game of the season at Norwich City.

If you would to take advantage, please call or text Jon Burns on 07752 531600 to discuss.

The 2009-10 Season Bars is now available before match days in the CUSA Unit next to reception or by post.

Bars are £3 + 50p postage & packing. To order via post, see the Badges & Bars page.

The CUSA Programme Service will be up and running again this season.

To ensure you don’t miss out on a Colchester United programme, the CUSA service allows you to order your programme in advance. CUSA Vice-Chairman Robin Fisher will then organise purchasing the programme.

We will also be offering a postal service again. If you wish to order individual programmes, this season’s programme costs £3, plus £1.50 postage & packing for each. Alternatively for the complete 23 home league games the total cost is £94.50, including postage & packing. Similarly you can order all 23 away league games for £94.50 (again, this includes postage & packing). All cup games can be ordered separately.

So for all your programme needs home & away, see Robin in the CUSA Unit or contact Robin via email (see the general enquiry address on the home page).

A Community Day will be held at the W.H.C.S. on 2nd August to celebrate the ground‘s first anniversary.

The day will include a variety of fun events including stadium tours, five-a-side football games and an opportunity to meet some of the U‘s players.

The CUSA will be helping out on the day so why not pop down with the family and have a nosy round the U’s home! More details including tour times can be found on the CUFC Official Website.

The travel details for the U's first three away fixtures of the 2009/10 season have now been finalised and are available on the Away Travel page.

Is you wish to book a seat to travel on the CUSA coaches for the game against Norwich City, MK Dons or Southampton you can now do so by either phoning Jeanette or Jon or by going into the CUSA 'facility' before the Aston Villa friendly.

Colchester United will be hitting the airwaves this season, thanks to an exciting new partnership with local radio station Dream 100.

U’s players will be regular guests on Col U Live, which will go out on Dream 100 between 6pm and 7pm every Thursday evening. They will be joined by U's fans to discuss the hot topics surrounding the club with Dream 100 drivetime host Murph. There will also be plenty of fun and games through the hour to keep you entertained whether you're still making your way home from work or listening from the comfort of your home.

The partnership will also see the U’s sponsor the sports bulletins during the course of the week, as well as providing some exciting ticket giveaways.

Col U Live launches this Thursday (9th July) at 6pm, with Steve Bradshaw as the main guest on the show. For more details of how you can get involved on the show, stay tuned to the U’s official website and listen to Dream 100 this week!

Dream is on 100.2 FM and you can also listen to the show online on the Dream 100 website.

In case U's fans aren't clear, although Tiptree are due to ground share with Maldon Town this game is confirmed to be played at Tiptree's Chapel Road ground - 3pm kick off - admission £10 adults and £5 concessions.

In a bid to ensure the U‘s have a thumping good season at the W.H.C.S. next season the CUSA and U‘s players have jointly clubbed together to purchase a drum and trumpet for the South Stand.

The U‘s players decided that they would like to help boost the atmosphere in the stadium and having contributed part of the money themselves approached the CUSA to join them in the purchase by contributing the remaining money.

"We are all in the business of helping to bring success on the pitch for the U's, and some South Stand rhythm and brass will really help to raise the noise levels and give the lads a boost,” CUSA Chairman Jon Burns said. “The CUSA is very proud to work with the U's players on this venture, and look forward to the positive results we hope it will deliver."

Our Annual General Meeting took place on 2nd July at the Musket Club, Colchester.

Many members joined us to complete the formal business of the Association, and enjoy the company of Colchester United President Peter Heard and former Colchester United Chief Executive Marie Partner.

Members received the Annual Report and Treasurers Report from the CUSA and voted on the adoption of the 2008 AGM minutes, the CUSA accounts to 30 June 2008 and the appointment of our Auditor Mr Bill Wood for another year.

Under CUSA rules, the Committee is re-elected every two years, and details of the newly formed Committee can be found on the Rules page.

The main part of the evening was our presentations to Peter Heard and Marie Partner in recognition of their many years of service to Colchester United, and also for the special relationship with the CUSA that both parties enjoyed during that period. Marie and Peter were presented with specially framed prints of Layer Road created by Alderney-based artist, U's fan and CUSA member, Alastair Riley.

Peter and Marie then entertained and enthralled the meeting by speaking for more than an hour and a half on their lives in football and their experiences with the U's, covering all topics from referees to former players, squirrels to plastic falcons, and of course, Mick Wadsworth.

Our thanks to Peter and Marie for joining us for the meeting, and to all our members who attended, and to the Musket Club for looking after us in their excellent facility.

Pictures from the AGM can be found on the new Photo Gallery page.

Members should be aware that after much deliberation the CUSA regrets that we have decided not to organise coaches from Colchester to Ipswich for this friendly fixture.

Congratulations to the whole of CUSA FC for a decent season in the Colchester & District Sunday League Div 1. At our recent awards night, the winners were as follows:

St Helena‘s Hospice will be running their fun fundraiser, ‘It’s a Knockout‘ again this year. Water and bubbles will be in ample supply as teams tackle an obstacle course to raise money for the hospice.

The event will be held on Sunday 12th July at Colchester Rugby Club. Ideally teams should consist of 10 people and raise at least £750 between them in total.

Most of you should already be aware that this year’s AGM will be held on 2nd July at the Musket Club. The May newsletter also announced that this year’s AGM will double up as a presentation evening.

The CUSA have invited Peter Heard and Marie Partner, two "off the pitch" legends of Colchester United Football Club to join us so that we can mark their outstanding service to our Football Club with a fitting presentation. We hope that Peter will share his thoughts on the changes he has seen in football and just where football is going these days and that Marie will regale us with some anecdotes of her most memorable moments in more than 20 years with Col U.

Hope Powell‘s England side will be in town on Thursday 16th July for a friendly against Iceland.

In their last friendly, England won 3-0 against Norway and Powell’s side will hope to build on that success in July. The game against Iceland is the first of a double header of friendlies designed to prepare the side for their European Championship campaign in August. Both Iceland and Denmark (their other July opponents) have also qualified for the tournament so should provide good opposition.

Popular U’s defender Pat Baldwin will be taking on a challenge of a different sort this June - the Three Peaks Challenge!

Pat and a group of friends will be climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of U’s fan Emily Begg, who passed away after loosing her battle with leukaemia in 2006.

The defender’s efforts follow a range of fundraising activities for the TCT by U’s players and supporters, including the annual bike ride and the re-recording of ‘Up the U’s’ and the total raised has now topped £30,000, most of which has gone towards the work the Begg family have done for the new TCT unit at Addenbrook’s Hospital.

You can help add to the total raised by sponsoring Pat on his Just Giving page.

After the success of their inaugural dinner the night before the U’s game against the Leeds, the Colchester United Former Player’s Association now have their next event lined up.

On Friday 10th June a trip has been arranged to Newmarket for a day of racing. The trip will include executive coach travel, a two course pub lunch and a premier enclosure admission at Newmarket race course, allowing access to the paddock and grand stand.

Anyone interested in going should contact Roger Westlake on 07778 018 835.

The 2009 Annual General Meeting of CUSA will be held on 2nd July 2009 at The Musket Club, Fallowfield Road, (Off Layer Road), Colchester, CO2 9LL commencing at 7.30 pm. This is your opportunity to elect the officers and committee, who will oversee the running of the CUSA for the next two years, and to decide matters of CUSA policy.

Nominations for the posts of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Travel Secretary, eight Committee Members and resolutions on matters of CUSA policy should be sent to Roger Westlake, CUSA Secretary, 9, Twining Road, Colchester, CO3 9XG to arrive by noon on 19th June 2009.

When the "Layer Bricks" project was launched fans were assured that the bricks would be located in a prominent place at the new stadium. Later in cases where several members of a family had purchased bricks at various times they were invited to state if they wished the bricks to be grouped together as a "family". Matt Hudson was collating such requests.

Well the current location of the bricks is hardly "prominent" and the request to group family bricks has been overlooked. CUSA believes that the bricks should be moved and grouped to a more prominent location and invites members to send their ideas of suitable locations to CUSA Secretary Roger Westlake by email to enquiries@cusa.co.uk.

U’s fans may be aware that My Layer Road, a collaboration between U’s media manager Matt Hudson and writer Jim French that chronicles U‘s fans memories of Layer Road, is now available to buy.

The CUSA have two signed copies for a competition to be run in the coming months for CUSA members, so watch this space!

If however you can't wait for that, the book can be purchased at the CUFC Online Shop. A press release with more details of the book is available to view below.

On Wednesday 20th May a charity Sportsman’s Dinner will be held at the W.H.C.S. Alan Brazil and Ronnie Irani will be will in attendance at the dinner which will help to raise funds for Little Haven's Children's Hospice.

Anyone wanting more details or wishing to buy tickets should contact John Schulz on 01206 767678. Details can also be found on the CUFC Official Website.

Welcome back to this season’s final instalment of “News on the U’s”, bringing you up to date on all the U’s news in the last seven days.

After the disappointment of the defeat on the final home game of the season against Peterborough, the U’s had the chance to end the season on a high with a win at Yeovil’s Huish Park, the very ground the U’s secured promotion to the Championship three years ago.

The U’s impressive away form was to continue as they ran out two nil winners and it was to prove to be a game to forget for Yeovil keeper Weale as he was to be at fault for both goals.

The U’s starting eleven was to include Scott Vernon who returned to the club after his loan spell at Northampton , there was also a start for U’s defender come striker Matt Heath!

The goals came in three first half minutes, the first goal came from Vincent, who picked up on a Yeates cross in to the penalty area and his low drive squirmed under the Yeovil keeper Weale.

The travelling U’s fans did not have long to wait before they were celebrating again, just two minutes later on 15 mins, Yeates looked to have been fouled just outside the Yeovil penalty area, however, he had time to regain his balance, before unleashing a shot out-of-the-blue that flew past Weale at his near post.

As the game went on, the closest Yeovil came to scoring was on 58 mins, when Obika let fly from distance with a fierce shot that beat Gerken, only to cannon back off the post.

The U’s saw out the rest of the game and secured their eleventh away win of the season, a club record.

Speaking after the game, Lambert described the win as “comfortable” and he also revealed that he would be sitting down with the players on Monday to discuss how they feature in his plans for next year.

After hearing Lambert speak, the impression I was left with was clear, I believe we can expect big changes in the pre season, I imagine there will be several comings and goings in the next few months as Lambert looks to rebuild for next season.

Next season will also see the addition of further “derby” games as due to promotion and relegation, Wycombe and Norwich will be joining us in League One. These types of games always add an extra dimension to the season and will hopefully generate increased support.

The U’s Achilles heel this season has clearly been their home form, the performances and more importantly results have simply not been acceptable, if we are to achieve promotion next year then this issue will have to be rectified, hopefully with the rebuilding exercise over the summer and the “new stadium” tag not being so prevalent, the U’s will succeed in their aspirations to become a championship team.

Till next time.

Dan.

The big launch of Col U’s new shop will take place in the town on Saturday 9th May.

Named ‘U’s Central’, the shop is located in Sir Isaacs Walk and will be opened at 10:30am by U’s manager Paul Lambert and his assistant Ian Culverhouse. Eddie the Eagle will also be in attendance and the U‘s have a range of opening day activities planned including face painting and give aways. For more details, see the countdown on the U’s official website.

Following representations from one of our members CUSA spoke to Chief Executive Steve Bradshaw about the decision to discontinue Junior/Student Concessionary Season Tickets in the West Stand. We struck an agreement that for EXISTING Junior/Student Concessionary West Stand Season Ticket Holders they could renew in the West Stand for £10 less than they paid last year.

Welcome back to this season's penultimate instalment of “News on the U’s”, bringing you up to date on all the U’s news in the last seven days.

Following on from the win at Hereford, this week saw the U’s final home game of the season against promotion chasing Peterborough.

Despite an improved home performance, the U’s disappointing home form was to continue as they succumbed to their 13th home defeat of the season, losing one nil, a result that was to see Peterborough secure a much deserved back to back promotion.

Clive Platt returned to the starting eleven for the U’s, furthermore, Lambert decided to include several fringe players for the game, clearly wishing to cast an eye over them prior to the end of the season. Injuries and a reported bug in the camp were also clearly starting to take their toll on the U’s with Lambert only able to name four players on the bench.

Peterborough dominated from the outset, and the games decisive moment occurred after 40 mins with Charlie Lee popping up with the all-important goal. Lee was in acres of space following George Boyd's lay-off and he took his chance well, giving Dean Gerken no chance with a thumping left-footed shot that flew into the roof of the net.

Peterborough showed their class on the day as they outclassed the U’s, in fact, had it not been for a man of the match performance from Dean Gerken, the win could have been by a greater margin.

Gerken almost single handily kept a truly impressive Posh side at bay with a string of quality saves, especially in the second half as Darren Ferguson's side searched in vain for a second goal.

The U’s created little, arguably their best chance fell to Yeates, who was unlucky to see his shot go just over the bar in injury time.

Speaking after the game, Lambert was clearly unimpressed by another home defeat and has promised to “rebuild” in the summer.

As the final whistle blew, it was greeted by jubilation and joy by Posh fans, players and staff alike as their dream had now become a reality, with their win and MK Dons’ defeat, they were promoted to the championship.

As I looked on in envy at the Posh celebrations I couldn’t help but be reminded of our own glorious promotion day back in 2006 at Yeovil.

One bright note from yesterday, was the U’s fans who stayed behind after the final whistle to applaud Peterborough for their promotion.

Fifteen months can be a long time in football, in fact it was only last January when the two sides met in the FA Cup third round at Layer Road, on that day, It was the U’s who were in the championship and their hosts a League Two side.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Peterborough every success for next season, they have a class team and it just goes to show you what gems can be unearthed from non league football, George Boyd being a particular highlight, a truly class player, who will no doubt shine in the championship.

Off the field (well kind of) the CUSA player of the year was announced, Dean Hammond won your vote, with Kem Izzet winning the away player of the year.

This week also saw the launch of the eagerly awaited “My Layer Road” book, celebrating the U’s time at Layer Road , after its launch at Cuckoo Farm on Friday, the book is now available for purchase.

Finally, we end with yet another “U’s Fact”, the U’s enjoyed their best ever home support back in 1948 when the average attendance was 12,339.

Till next time.

Dan.

The votes are in, they’ve been counted and the trophies have been awarded so here are the winners of the CUSA awards for the 2008/09 season:

Welcome back to the latest instalment of “News on the U’s”, bringing you up to date on all the U’s news in the last seven days.

After the disappointment of Easter Monday’s performance against Brighton, the U’s had the week to prepare for their next fixture, away at relegation threatened Hereford.

The U’s would be looking to revenge the defeat they suffered earlier in the season at home to the Bulls and take all three points.

The game was a “must win” for Hereford as anything less would condemn them to relegation and League Two football next season.

The U’s had clearly put the Brighton defeat behind them and took the game to Hereford from the outset.

In fact, there was only 2 mins on the clock when the U’s created their first chance, Mark Yeates picked up on a Hereford error and was unlucky to see his shot rebound of the post after beating the keeper.

The U’s enjoyed total domination during the first half and got their just rewards on 37 mins with Mark Yeates scoring from a trademark freekick.

Things got even better for the U’s when Hereford's Dean Beckwith deflected a Yeates cross into his own net just before the break.

The second half passed without major incident and the U’s cruised home to a much deserved 10th away league win of the season and subsequently relegated their hosts.

The result clearly pleased Lambert, after the game he described it as an “excellent win” and singled out Yeates for much deserved praise.

The win puts the U’s in 12th and with two games to go, a top 10 finish is a distinct possibility.

Off the field, and in light of recent complaints from fans, the club issued a statement regarding stewarding at WHCS.

Obviously, the club was keen to clarify the rules regarding stewarding and standing, however, the club is clearly trying to find some middle ground with fans as they announced they will be speaking to the relevant authorities regarding a proposed “safe standing” area at the new stadium.

Finally, although not U’s related, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate AFC Wimbledon, who on Saturday, all but secured their promotion to the Blue Square Premier aka the Conference.

Rising from the ashes of the Wimbledon FC demise and the subsequent “rebranding” and “relocation” of their club into the MK Dons, the fans took it upon themselves to form their own club in 2002. Their rise since then has been truly remarkable, they regularly draw crowds of over 4000 and are now just one promotion away from league football.

Up next for the U’s, it’s the final home game of the season on Saturday against promotion chasing Peterborough.

Till next time.

Dan.

Welcome back to the latest instalment of “News on the U’s”, bringing you up to date on all the U’s news in the last seven days.

Like a can of coke left open all day, the U’s season has lost all its fizz.

It was an Easter weekend to forget for U’s fans as they saw their team fall to consecutive defeats at Geraint Williams' Leyton Orient on Saturday and then home to Brighton on the Monday.

The Orient game was sadly an all too familiar story for U’s fans this season, despite dominating for large parts of the game the U’s failed to make their chances pay and ended up on the losing side.

The U’s dominated the first half and got their just rewards on 43 mins when Clive Platt headed home his 10th goal of the season from a Marc Tierney freekick, the lead was, however, short lived with Orient equalising 4 mins into 1st half injury time thanks to a free kick of the highest quality from Charlie Daniels.

The U’s could not build on their good first half performance and were quiet in the second half, their best effort came from Marc Tierney, who’s long range shot rattled the crossbar.

The decisive moment came on 80 mins where the U’s were undone by U’s old boy Scott McGliesh who tapped home from one yard out to secure a vital three points for Orient, a result which all but ensures their League One status.

Despite the defeat, I’m sure all U’s fans will agree with me in congratulating George on his success since he took over Orient and we wish him all the success in the future.

Just 48hrs later, the U’s were back in action again, this time at home to Brighton.

The U’s poor home form continued and they fell to a one nil home defeat thanks to a Lloyd Owusu header on 57 mins.

To say the U’s were poor was an under statement, they lacked creativity, passion and more importantly quality.

For me, the game was best summed up when a man two rows down from me stood up on 60 mins, his friend next to him said, “you going to the toilet John?” to which he replied, “no, I’ve just heard they’re showing that film Jumanji on the TV downstairs!”

Away from the poor showing on the pitch, the other notable performance of the day came from the Colchester United stewards who again adopted their seemingly zero tolerance policy on anyone daring to stand up for more than 5 seconds, I counted at least 5 Brighton fans being shown the exit and from what I hear there was even more in the home sections.

On a brighter note, there was the announcement on the first pre season friendly at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the U’s will welcome Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa on Tuesday 21st July in a real glamour friendly that should draw in a sell out crowd.

Finally, as always, we end with an Colchester United related “interesting fact” and this week there is an Easter theme (quite literally). The U’s are the only side to have “Easter Sunday” upfront, that being former on loan striker Jermaine EASTER and SUNDAY Wasiu ! (well I tried)

Till next time.

Dan.

When Chairman Jon Burns and Secretary Roger Westlake met U's Chief Executive Steve Bradshaw last week among the items discussed was the compensation due to fans who had purchased a Car Park Season permit for £230.

It was agreed that if no other form of compensation for the reduction in car park charges had been received then the permit holder should write to Steve Bradshaw requesting a refund of £65.

Welcome back to the latest instalment of “News on the U’s”, bringing you up to date on all the U’s news in the last seven days.

After the disappointment of last Saturday’s result at Scunthorpe, the U’s had the perfect opportunity to put the defeat behind them, when just three days later, they faced another away trip, this time at high flying Millwall in the rearranged league game.

Whatever Lambert said to the players in the dressing room after the Scunthorpe game obviously had a great effect on the players as the U’s put in a solid performance to take all 3 points in a classic 'smash and grab' away performance.

It was an absorbing first half, with both sides working hard in closing down & trying to get a stronghold on the game, chances were limited, with the most notable falling to Millwall’s Gary Alexander, who went close for the Lions, but his header was saved by Cousins.

The second half followed suit, with the U’s back four working hard to limit Millwall’s chances, the most notable falling to David Martin who was again denied by the impressive Cousins.

With the game seemingly being destined for nil nil, the U’s created a moment of magic when Clive Platt headed home via an excellent Mark Yeates cross with seven minutes remaining. The U’s saw out the remainder of the game & held on to take all 3 points much to the delight of the travelling fans.

The games were coming thick & fast for the U’s & next up was the home game against Leeds United on the Saturday.

In front of a sell out crowd the U’s failed to build on the impressive Millwall result & fell to a 1 nil defeat, making it 10 league defeats at home this season.

The U’s created the best chance early on with Mark Yeates going close, only to be denied by Leeds keeper, Casper Ankergren.

The decisive moment came on 29 mins when Leeds striker Luciano Becchio fired home the only goal of the game from the edge of the area after a pass from Robert Snodgrass.

The best chance of the second half fell late on to Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, & only a good save from Cousins prevented Leeds making it two nil.

Throughout the whole 90 mins, The U’s never really got going and lacked any real cutting edge.

Off the pitch there was the positive news regarding the A12 junction, funding has been agreed & work is due to begin shortly with completion expected within 2 years.

This is a fantastic boost for the club & the town, as with the junction being built this will assist with the accessibility of the ground & also allow for further development of the surrounding stadium area.

Finally, the CUSA was proud to support & attend the “Former Players Association” dinner at WHCS on Friday evening.

The evening was themed around the U’s famous giant killing win over Leeds in the FA Cup back in 1971.

The remaining 10 players involved in that game who were not already in the U’s hall of fame were inducted on Friday night.

The night was a fantastic success & a big thank you must go to John Schultz and Peter Wright for organising the event.

As always we end with a U’s related interesting fact. Back in November 1970 & during a league game against the U’s, the then Brentford Keeper Chic Brodie was forced to retire from football after a stray dog ran onto the pitch and shattered his kneecap after pouncing on him whilst the keeper attempted to pick up a back pass!

Till next time.

Dan.

Welcome back to the second edition of News on the U’s.

We start with yesterday’s game away at promotion chasing Scunthorpe.

Against poor conditions and an in form side, the U’s succumbed to a 3 nil defeat. Despite a pretty even first half, the U’s fell behind on 36 mins when striker Gary Hooper fought off Trotman, rounded Cousins & slotted home.

Hooper then made it two nil on 59 mins with another good finish taking his season tally to 29. Their was almost an instant reply from the U’s, however, Karl Hawley’s powerful shot hit the crossbar, although there was some doubt that it might have actually hit the "A" frame in the goal and bounced out.

The game was then put beyond doubt on 69 mins when highly rated Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury scored with a well placed shot from the edge of the area. To be fair, Scunthorpe are a good side, who play attractive football & I am sure they will be there or there abouts come the end of the season.

The result however, now all but ends the U’s playoff dream.

On a more positive note, the other main story this week was the release of the much anticipated season ticket prices for the next campaign . The club have clearly listened to fans feedback & have put together an interesting package, included in this, is the welcome addition of a "Payment Plan" allowing fans to spread the payments over 10 months, with the whole country being in the grips of a much published "Credit Crunch" this can only be a positive move.

Off the pitch there was further good news with the new club shop being named - "U’s Central", a good name and a fantastic location just off Culver Square right in the heart of the town centre, this can only help raise the clubs profile and hopefully attract new fans to Cuckoo Farm.

Coming up, the next seven days sees the U’s face tough tests away at Millwall on Tuesday and home to Leeds on Saturday, a club so big that we have to build them their own special wall. God only knows what would happen if Man Utd or Liverpool came to town!

Finally, we finish off with another U’s related "Interesting Fact" - out of the 92 professional football clubs in England, there are only 3 teams the U’s have never played in a competitive game, the 3 being Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham.

Till next time.

Dan