The last time we visited Colchester was 15 years ago, so this will be a new ground for many Saints supporters , so here is all you need to know about taking your legions to Colchester (updated from 65 AD)

The JobServe Community Stadium is a typical new build lower league football ground with a steep rake meaning that you get good sight lines and plenty of leg room, this is just about the only good thing you can say about it.

Saints supporters will be accommodated in the 2,000 capacity North Stand which is behind one of the goals.

The stadium itself stands to the north of the city on the outskirts with little in the surrounding area for supporters.

Getting There.

By Car

Head up the M3 and then hit the M25 towards Heathrow, stay on the M25 until you come to junction 28 and then head North signposted Colchester & Ipswich.

When you come to signs for Colchester itself on the A12, ignore the first ones and proceed to Junction 28 which is to the north of the city, you will pass the ground just prior to it on your right, exit there and follow signs.

Parking

There are 700 parking spaces at the stadium costing £6 -£10 but it is a nightmare to get out, better alternatives may be found on the nearby industrial estates where business's open up their car parks usually slightly cheaper.

The best bet though is a new Colchester Town Centre Park and Ride service, the car park which is situated on the opposite side of the A12 to the JobServe Stadium (signposted just off Junction 28). This car park has 1,000 spaces, and fans attending games are welcome to use the car park. It costs £3 to park there and it closes at 7.30 pm for Saturday games and 10.30 pm for midweek matches. From the car park, it is then a relatively short walk of five minutes across the A12 bridge to the stadium. There is also a McDonald’s restaurant located next to the Park and Ride.

Colchester North station used to have a shuttle bus to the ground, but that is no longer the case.

By Train

Colchester is reached via Liverpool Street Station in London

Alight at Colchester town station and then take a local train to Colchester North, from there you can take a bus to the park & ride site mentioned above.

Be aware that there are 9,000 Pompey fans in London for their game with West Ham, there may be a few still around Liverpool Street Station up to about 2pm going and a fir few getting a late train back from Waterloo in the evening.

Drinking Eating Etc

Around the stadium there has been a fair bit of building going on since our last visit and there is now the expanding Northern Gateway Leisure Park, that has a number of food and entertainment outlets including a Bowling alley with a bar.

The Dog & Pheasant pub on Nayland Road is just under a mile from the ground and is popular with both home & away fans.

There is nothing on the other side of the A12 by the park & ride

Otherwise best bet is around the Colchester North Station area, there are several pubs some of which do food , if you dont fancy this and your driving probably better to find a pub en route and arrive at the ground latish.

Post code for Sat Nav:

The postcode of the stadium is CO4 5UP,

Ground Name:

JobServe Community Stadium

Capacity: 10,105 (all seated)

Address: United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP

Main Telephone No: 01206 755 100

Fax No: 01206 715 327

Ticket Office: 0845 437 9089

Team Nickname: The U's

Year Ground Opened: 2008

Quirky Facts About Colchester

1. Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town & the first Roman capital. Originally the capital of the pre-Roman ruler Cunobelinus, it became the first capital of Roman Britain under the name Camulodunum.

2. The settlement was burned to the ground by Queen Boudica and her forces in 60 CE before being rebuilt by the Romans.

3. It contains Britain's oldest town walls, with about two-thirds of the original Roman structure still surviving, including the Balkerne Gate.

4. It holds the only known chariot-racing Roman circus discovered in Britain.

5. Jane Taylor wrote the famous poem Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in an attic on Stockwell Street in 1806.

6. Colchester was officially granted city status again in 2022.

7. Colchester has a population of around 130,000 , although this swells to about 200,000 when Portsmouth play there as they take so many fans to every away game.

8. Colchester is still registered as a port, however the river silted up a long time ago, so it is no longer in use.

9. In the 1966 Asterix comic book Asterix in Britain the Camulodunum rugby team wins a game against Durovernum (Roman name for Canterbury).[128] The kit worn during the match in the book is similar to that of Colchester United.

10. Famous Colcestrians ie those who have lived in Colchester include,

Mary Whitehouse (1910–2001), Christian morality campaigner
Margaret Thatcher
John Cooper Clarke
A couple of blokes out of Blur who weren't Damon Albarn or the other one who makes cheese.

All Photos Via Reuters