Colchester United Vs Bromley

Matchday 72 took us on another long-distance adventure, this time to Colchester, with an estimated travel time of 3 hours and 25 minutes. We set off at 09:00, making a quick stop to pick up Grandad Steve, who has become a regular companion on our journey to complete the 92 football grounds. Given the ongoing issues with my new car, we made the 340-mile round trip in a hire car. The weather conditions at the start were quite cloudy with occasional light rain, but as we approached Colchester, the sky cleared and temperatures soared above 22 degrees, bathing the town in glorious sunshine. We managed to make the trip in just 3 hours, which was impressive considering the distance.

Before heading to the ground, we decided to indulge in a pre-match ritual that has become customary on our footballing adventures—visiting a Wetherspoon pub. We chose “The Playhouse“, a beautiful and unique venue that used to be a theatre. Parking was initially a bit of a challenge, with tight spaces in a nearby multi-storey car park, but it was only a 5-minute walk to the pub. The interior of The Playhouse was stunning, with the old theatre’s architecture preserved, adding to the atmosphere. However, we couldn’t find any available tables with seats, so we stood near the entrance. Grandad Steve and I enjoyed a couple of Ruddles ales, while Liam tucked into a pizza with orange juice. After a pleasant hour soaking in the atmosphere, we made our way back to the car for the short 15-minute drive to the stadium.

Parking at the club’s official prepaid lot was easy, with plenty of spaces available. As we approached the stadium, we had a friendly chat with a Colchester fan enjoying a pint in the sunshine. We then made our customary stop at the club shop to pick up our matchday scarf and program. To our surprise, the program was free—something we’d never encountered before on this journey. Despite the £3 price tag printed on it, the program is included with every league match ticket, a remarkable gesture by Colchester United. It’s small touches like these that really stand out and show the club’s commitment to creating a great fan experience.

After collecting our souvenirs, we took a walk around the stadium, snapping photos and soaking in the atmosphere. Liam even took part in a penalty challenge but, despite his best efforts, failed to score in all three attempts. We then headed to the turnstiles, where the stewards were incredibly helpful and guided us through with no issues. Surprisingly, there were no bag checks, which is rare at football stadiums these days. Inside the concourse, we were impressed to see numerous activities for children, another thoughtful gesture from the club to engage young fans.

Our seats were fantastic, located near the halfway line and offering a great view of the pitch. We relaxed in the sunshine, watching the players warm up while snacking on the food we had brought along. A real highlight of the day came courtesy of Colchester’s Head of Media, David, who had arranged for a special message to be displayed on the stadium screen and announced over the PA system. This personalized recognition of our 92 Ground Challenge was an incredible touch and made us feel truly valued as guests. It was the first time a club had gone the extra mile to do something like this for us, and we were both touched by the gesture. A huge thank you to David and Colchester United for making this happen!

As the match began, the Bromley fans to our right brought the noise, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the game. The Colchester supporters, though less vocal, were equally passionate. Unfortunately, the stadium was only about half full, which was a shame because the match was quite entertaining. The referee was kept busy, issuing multiple yellow cards and even a red card to a Bromley player in the closing stages. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides finding the net once, It felt like a fair result, as neither team did enough to clinch the win.

Our journey home began smoothly, but as we approached Birmingham, the weather took a turn for the worse. Heavy rain and strong winds replaced the sunshine, making for a tricky drive. Thankfully, Grandad Steve took the wheel for most of the journey, and we made it home just over 3 hours later, grateful to have ticked another ground off the list despite the mixed conditions.

5 Facts About Colchester United:

1. Oldest Roman Town: Colchester United is based in Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain, dating back to Roman times when it was known as Camulodunum.
2. Stadium Move: The club moved to their current stadium, the JobServe Community Stadium, in 2008. Before this, they played at Layer Road, which was their home for over 70 years.
3. League Cup Glory: Colchester United famously reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in 1970-71, where they beat top-tier sides such as Leeds United before losing to West Bromwich Albion.
4. Academy Success: Colchester United’s youth academy has produced several players who went on to play in the Premier League, including Lomana LuaLua and Greg Halford.
5. Green Credentials: Colchester United is committed to sustainability, and their stadium is considered one of the greenest in the UK, incorporating eco-friendly technology and practices to reduce its carbon footprint.