A mid-season managerial change saw Benny Fenton leave for Leyton Orient and ex-England international Neil Franklin arrive from APOEL.

Franklin's first piece of business was the sale of prolific forward Bobby Hunt to Northampton Town for £18,000.

Hunt's 23 goals scored by the end of February was not surpassed despite his exit as Colchester finished the season in a disappointing 17th–position.

They beat Brighton & Hove Albion in the first round of the FA Cup, but were defeated in the second by Queens Park Rangers.

[16] Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.