Ahead of the new season, Colchester's board warned that a break-even gate of 9,200 was required and that players would be sold if attendances didn't reach an average of 7,500.

However, manager Jim Smith returned to former club Boston United to sign Bobby Svarc's old strike partner John Froggatt for £6,000.

A 0–0 draw at Layer Road led to a 1–0 replay win at The Dell, courtesy of a Barry Dominey goal.

Crowds fell a long way short of the target expected by the board, with a league average of 4,941 attending during the season.

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