Colchester ended an injury blighted season in tenth position in the Fourth Division, while they were knocked out in the first round of the FA Cup by Newport County, and in the second round of the League Cup by neighbours and rivals Ipswich Town in their heaviest defeat of the campaign.

For the new season, manager Dick Graham employed a new policy of recruiting older, more experienced players.

He said: I believe in signing players who have done something big and giving them a new lease of lifeHe brought in Bobby Cram, formerly of West Bromwich Albion and hitherto playing in Canada, to become his captain for the season, while also paying £5,000 for Ken Jones from Millwall.

An eleven-game unbeaten home run gave Colchester a chance for a promotion push, but an expanding injury list held back the U's progress.

Trainer Dennis Mochan made a final appearance for the club during the campaign having taking up a coaching position at the end of the previous season.