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AFFILIATE MEMBER OF THE FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS' ASSOCIATION www.thefsa.org.uk

IMPORTANT - in conjunction with Colchester United, the CUSA operates a Safeguarding Policy for under 18's when they are travelling with us on our organised coaches. We kindly ask our under 18 members, together with their parent/guardian to also complete and return the Registration Form which can be found on our Membership page, and to read and understand the Safeguarding Policy, also on the Membership page
Please be aware that for your protection and ours, the CUSA will not be able to accept under 16's on the coach without a parent/guardian accompanying them

A reminder that you will need to be a CUSA member to travel with us. Please don't worry though, as we can take membership forms on the day we travel. To book or to make enquires about coach travel please either email CUSA at away_travel@cusa.co.uk or message anytime Jon Burns 07752 531600 or Malcolm Cole 07901 612063, or call between 7 pm and 9 pm and leave a message

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27 January Travel Update

We are currently taking coach bookings for all away trips up to and including Leyton Orient

Grimsby - currently have a waiting list for the 2nd coach but hopeful that if demand increases this will be a definite 2 coach soon

Charity Prize Draw - in support of U's legend Nicky Smith (WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON)

As many of you will know, Nicky Smith a member of the U’s double winning team of 1991/92, is fighting a battle with cancer. He has had a number of operations and has been able to return to light duties with his employer Essex Police.
Nick is supporting the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and is raising funds for this worthwhile cause. The Committee of CUSA are trying to help and with the assistance of our Membership would like to propose the following. 

From our sponsorship of the Team Manager and Junior for season 21/22 we have two signed shirts which we would like to offer as prizes for donations to the charity. One is a squad signed shirt and the other is a match worn one by Junior, both come with Certificates of Authenticity.
 
For all funds raised, CUSA pledge to match that amount. To make a donation and be entered into the prize draw, you can do so in person before any home game, we are located in the Legends Bar up to 30 minutes prior to kick off, on the coaches if travelling to an away game or by post to Malcolm Cole 7, Richardson Walk, Witham, CM8 2UB. Please note that donations can only be accepted in cash or by cheque made payable to CUSA.

Closing date for donations is December 29th, this is the home game against AFC Wimbledon, the winners will be drawn on January 1st and announced on our website and social media platforms.
 
“The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity supports local men and women who are living with cancer. There are currently cancer support centres in Colchester, Hatfield Peverel and Harlow. The help is available at all stages – diagnosis, during treatment and equally as important when treatment has been completed. The Charity offers support to the person with the diagnosis and/or their spouse, partner or main carer by providing reflexology and massage, counselling and a range of support groups. There is no charge for the services but for those who receive them it is invaluable"
 
“HRCC helped me when I was at my lowest point ever. I was so confused and so scared. The therapists helped me with calm words, sensible advice, reassurance and wonderful holistic treatments. The counsellor helped me to make sense of the world again after my treatment and explore ways to heal. Your love, care and support was invaluable. I cannot ever thank you enough.”
 
To find out more please go to www.helenrollason.org.uk or call 01245 382888. 

NOSTALGIA CORNER 

Some history of Colchester United matches against Southend United 

The first match between the two teams, played on 14 October 1950, attracted a crowd of 21,000. This was the highest attendance at the Southend Stadium since the war, which suggests that the contest was keenly anticipated by all concerned, but other than that it is difficult to state definitively whether there was a rivalry from the beginning or if it escalated to a derby later on.

It is likely that the main reason for the rivalry is geographical, although the fact that Southend had the upper hand and finished higher than Colchester in the Third Division South league table in each of the first six seasons from 1950-51 may have been a contributing factor. More recently, the 2005-06 season probably added to the rivalry with both teams achieving automatic promotion to the Championship.

The Essex rivalry certainly isn’t forgotten but I don’t think that fans wearing their kit in each other’s town/city would be unduly troubled. It is quite rare to see fans wearing Southend colours in Colchester where you are much more likely to encounter supporters of Ipswich Town.

There have been incidents of violence between the two clubs over the years, more so from the 60’s to the 80’s than recently, but on Colchester’s last league visit to Roots Hall in February 2016 a Southend fan ran on to the pitch and confronted Colchester fans in the away end.

There have been many players over the years who have played for both clubs, including the current Colchester captain Luke Prosser, but you don’t usually hear words such as ‘traitor’ being used. I don’t recall any such reaction regarding Anthony Wordsworth’s transfer.

My best memory is a 4-0 win for Colchester in a Friday night match at Layer Road, 29 November 1968. Colchester had started the season poorly but new manager Dick Graham recruited a host of experienced campaigners who that night handed out a real thrashing to the visiting Shrimpers in front of a crowd of more than 10,600!

My worst memory is a 3-2 win for Southend at Layer Road in the semi-final first leg of the LDV Vans competition in 2003-04, particularly as at that time Colchester were playing in the league above Southend! The second leg finished 1-1 which took Southend to the final with an aggregate score of 4-3.

I have to admit that the stadium atmosphere does tend to feel more toxic than for most other matches, perhaps more so at Roots Hall where the facilities are poor.

Hal Mason’s book ‘The Official History of The U’s’ describes Southend as the ‘Old Enemy’ so perhaps that is a fitting summary of the rivalry between the two clubs!

MEMBERSHIP 2022-2023

A big thank you to everyone who has either renewed their membership or is a member for the first time! 

It was great to meet old and new faces at the Open Day in July and from the comments received, everyone seemed very pleased with what we had on display, and I know many of you filled some gaps in
your programme collections, aided by the knowledge of Keith Blaxall our programme guru. If you are still looking for items, please email programmes@cusa.co.uk as we have plenty of stock at the moment.

Many of you have joined us on the coaches to away games this season, once again many regulars and some new faces. Details for upcoming games can be found on the website www.cusa.co.uk and at the end of this newsletter. You can also come and see us in the Legends Bar prior to home matches, we are on duty up to 30 minutes prior to kick-off.

MEMBERS MEMORIES

This season we would like to try and involve CUSA members more and think a small contribution to the programme notes would be a good start.

What we suggest is a short paragraph of some 100 words or so recalling members memories down the years. This could take the form of a memorable player, game, goal, awayday experience, etc.

If you would like to pen some memories, that would be great. You can submit your notes via the enquiries email (enquiries@cusa.co.uk) or drop into the CUSA desk on match days.

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