10 things you never knew about....

1) Colchester United were formed in 1937 and are nicknamed the Cuckoos as they originally shared a ground with their older, amateur neighbours Colchester Town until they grew larger and stronger than Town, eventually killing them and tossing their corpse from the nest.

2) Their club crest reflects the events associated with their formation by showing the skeletal remains of a dead bird.

3) They moved to a new ground in 2008 which, due to sponsorship, is officially called the Weston Homes Community Service Stadium however locals still refer to it as The Cuckoo’s Nest.


4) The clubs brightest moment came in the 1970s when they won an FA Cup match.

5) They play in blue and white stripes which all right thinking people know is the sign of the Devil.

6) Their biggest rivals are Southend a rivalry that goes back to Roman times when the Governor of Colchester caught his favourite concubine in bed with a Southend shrimper

7) They have won many minor cups including defeating little known midlands club Western Bumwich Aldi in the Watney Bitter Cup final of 1972.

8) Notable current players include 70s comedian Freddy Starr, the fictional character Mr Bean and former Eastender “Curly" Watts

9) Notable ex-players include Greg Halford, sold for a club record £2,500,000 to Brummy rockers Judas Priest, 60s singer Lulu and George “yes gaffer" Elokobi who was once described as the most naturally gifted & talented football player the game has ever seen.

10) The last time today’s opponents met was in 2008 in the Championship, Wolves beat the Cuckoos 1-0.