Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by York City in the first round.

Colchester leapt to the top of the Second Division table by the end of August, having beaten Chesterfield 6–3 in the opening game of the season, and also knocked out First Division Portsmouth out of the League Cup at Fratton Park.

However, they failed to capitalise on this despite manager Steve Whitton equalling the club's record transfer fee of £50,000 for Northern Ireland international Adrian Coote from Norwich City.

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