Manager Neil Franklin was sacked two days after the season ending 5–1 home defeat by Peterborough United.

Layer Road then played host to First Division West Bromwich Albion in front of a crowd just short of 16,000.

With the score at 1–1, both goalscorer Reg Stratton and John Mansfield had goals ruled out for infringements late on as the tie went to a replay.

After challenging for the promotion positions, Colchester lost 15 of their remaining 22 games after Boxing Day, winning just once.

A new all-time record low attendance of 2,483 watched the final day 5–1 defeat by Peterborough United at Layer Road.